Yes, sometimes my mouth and tongue feel tired. I also have started to develop speech impediments. I sound like Daffy Duck or Sylvester the Cat sometimes. The dry mouth causes a lot of that. That’s why I dread going back to the hospital, because they will put “NPO” on my chart and I won’t be allowed even ice chips to hydrate my mouth. Then the mucus gets out of control and they expect me to get rid of it using those ridiculous little sponges on sticks. I hate those things.

I have no idea why I ended up with nasopharyngeal cancer. I am not a member of any of the demographic groups that are considered at risk and I was just halfway through high school when I got diagnosed. The doctors first thought I had Hodgkins. My best guess is that I spent too much time in cars with adults who were smoking when I was a kid.