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Meet others living with Head & Neck Cancer: Introduce yourself
Head & Neck Cancer | Last Active: 1 day ago | Replies (510)Comment receiving replies
Hi! Jon here. I was diagnosed with tongue cancer, lower right mid-July 2023. I had surgery on July 31st to remove the tumor. The surgeon also removed my right toncil. The surgery was quite successful and I was givin the option to simply go home, as the surgeon felt very confident that he got it all with good margins. Of course, then I got the "insurance" discussion and did opt for 2 weeks (2x/day) of low intensity radiation with one low dose Chemo/week.
My last treatment was on September 8th 2023. I could never have imagined how difficult the first 3 weeks of recovery would be. I was so sick and in so much pain that I just wanted the end, however that was to come. Week 4 started with a little bit of hope. Weeks 5 and 6 were getting better and i started to feel physically better. Then, was the worst emotional and mental crash/attack. Anxiety way off the charts with panic every single day for about a month. I found myself in another very dark version of hell again. Thankfully, Mayo came through and prescribed some medications that has taken a huge edge off. My very 1st 3-month check-up in 3 days!
Replies to "Hi! Jon here. I was diagnosed with tongue cancer, lower right mid-July 2023. I had surgery..."
@zeip8288, just checking in. How did the check-up go? How are you doing?
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Hi Jon @zeip8288 and welcome to this Head and Neck group. Your story strikes a chord with not only myself but many of us who have had the misfortune of cancer treatments. So I guess the surgery was just too easy so you may as well have a little Chemo and Radiation? Just kidding of course. Glad to hear you are on the uptake and doing better with time. I would suspect you will have issues for a few months to perhaps a couple of years but we learn to live with them and then they seem to go away eventually.
The effects from radiation enlightens us to contemplate what survivors of nuclear bombs or bomb tests must have experienced back in the day. Physically ill as well as pain, taste, digestion, etc all seem to be issues for most.
I'm sure the check-ups will give you pause but try not to think the worst as most likely the news will be good. This will go on for years for most of us and any malady or pain you will for years think the worst, only to find out you have an illness like anyone else and it goes away. I wish you well. Keep in touch on this feed and your input to others will be greatly appreciated.