Hi,
My name is Loli, and I live in Virginia; but I am originally from Mexico City. I was diagnosed with squamous cell cheek cancer resulting from oral lichen planus, like Maureen, in 2013. I underwent surgery which included a reconstructive flap in my cheek, and also radiotherapy, which left me with less saliva, less molars and more life. Sharing with others has been instrumental to my recovery also.I have learnt to be thankful for every little detail in my life. I am doing well, and live a normal life, though one cheek is bigger than the other, and every single day I am aware of certain limitations that remind me of my humanity.

Yes, Loli, I know what you mean. I had some good news today. The local Oral Health department is going to make me a new dental plate - the first one made in 2015 has become uncomfortable. I'm feeling quite pleased with myself.

Hi my name is Carrie and I live in Minnesota. I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer when I was 22 years old. After 3 surgeries and radiation therapy I am now living cancer free but not without reminder each day. I like many of us, will be on medication for the rest of my life, and have a cyst in my throat that continues to fill and empty on its own but never ceases to cause my doctors to wonder! One of these days I might just have it removed but they tell me they will have to cut my tongue in order to get to it as it lives on a nerve. Surgery number two was a successful one but also resulted in the loss of my parathyroid, who knew those tiny buggers (2 small glands) regulated so much in our bodies! it took years of getting used to the medications and finding my appropriate individual
level before I started to feel like myself again. Now my sister has been diagnosed with thyroid cancer so I am also on this site to support her. She is blind so I'm not sure that she will be joining however I will certainly encourage her. I have been cancer free now for about 6 years and sometimes wish I could gain my 20s back but also know that we are stronger because of our challenges. I also want to be supportive and positive for my sister even though she lives in Connecticut, its hard to not be face to face with her.
I am happy to meet all of you, read your stories, and hope to connect and learn more about the demons we face and how we can continue to find strength from our experiences.

Hi Loli! What an encouraging story. I share many similarities: "less saliva, less molars, and more life." It feels worth it, doesn't it? It sounds like you are four years out from treatment. How often do you have follow-up now? Do you have scheduled scans?

Thanks for sharing your story, Carrie! I agree- I always took my saliva for granted before! Have you had any dental issues due to the lack of saliva? I feel like I am constantly getting cavities filled due to my dry mouth.

I totally understand the feeling of losing out on your twenties. It feels like an additional challenge to deal with this at that point in your life. Did you get the support you needed from friends? That felt difficult for me when no one seemed to understand what I was going through.

I'm sorry to hear that your sister is now facing a cancer diagnosis, but what a gift she has in you! Will she have surgery to remove her thyroid? Or will they use radiation?

Also, so happy to meet a fellow Minnesotan!

Hi, Its very nice to meet you! Yes my sister is going to have full removal as I also ended up having after 3 surgeries. My tumors were so large they were pressing on the trachea.
I have ten fillings now and it all started after my first surgery and hormone replacement. I really do think its hormone related.
unfortunately I didn't have a lot of support. When I was diagnosed in my twenties I had just come off my parents insurance and was without insurance as I was a newly wed. I ended up in therapy to assist with my health status. I found out I had cancer a month after my honey moon and my husband at the time was dealing with his grandmother's brain cancer diagnosis, my cancer was considered survivable and I didn't get much responsiveness. I didn't have a computer as I was just starting out and had to take a lot of time off work for my treatments, the Cancer Society offered assistance with rides but I think something like this is wonderful for people with technology to connect! In the end my husband filed for divorce but I do think it was for the better and my overall health. He wasn't able to see my complications from my perspective and didn't want to put forth effort to assist me with my recovery because " it should have been easy enough." It was a trying time.
Its true thyroid cancer has a high success rate and is considered survivable but the recovery is a long road, its really a lifetime. Medications, hormone imbalances, diet and lifestyle changes (just a few) can be tricky for many of us. Now I am dealing with infertility which could have nothing or everything to do with my hormone journey, we just don't know.
Anyhow, I now have a wonderful husband who views life as precious time, he is a courageous man full of support and has a positive outlook on the time we do have together. I am blessed to be able to spend some cancer-free time with him (and hopefully a family some day)!
Congratulations on the one year anniversary! I am happy you are here to connect with and in MN, we are new here just moved this past summer. Happy to meet you.

Hi again, Carrie. I seem to be replying out of order. So glad your new husband is supportive. You really went through a difficult time there. Living with a new normal so young must have been hard. I'm a big believer in the importance of survivorship care and will share some of my ideas later.

Hi Carrie (@carebear), I'd like to add my welcome. I hope your sister will join us on Mayo Clinic Connect too. The site should be readable by screen readers. Does she use a screen reader software? I'd appreciate her feedback on the accessibility of the site.

How long ago was lichen planus diagnosed? Was it treated?

She does use screen reader software, I will certainly let her know. Thank you.