Quote:
Originally Posted by markyerger
Sorry to hear this.
I was diagnosed with tongue cancer in May.
My doctors were very aggressive.
Had entire tongue removed May 18th, along with a lymph node, a salivary gland and my tonsils on my left side.
They cut me ear to ear - pretty much decapitated me.
While on second week of chemo and radiation I developed a bacterial infection around the surgery site and the treatments have been on hold for 2 weeks.
Starting treatments back up August 14th and they will continue to about the end of September.
Cannot swallow so I have a gastro tube in which I supply myself with all my fluids and nutrients.
I haven't eaten or drank anything by mouth since the surgery.
Really don't know if I will ever be able to again.
Food is everywhere on TV - it drives me nuts
Even McDonalds commercials makes me crave a quarter pounder and fries and a chocolate shake.
I still enjoy my morning cup or two of coffee, that I put into my stomach with a syringe. I have to be satisfied with just smelling it since I can no longer drink it.
Other than that I syringe a formula into me that supplies me with all my nutrients.
And I can no longer speak either with the loss of the tongue.
They took muscle from my thigh to create a "flap" or a "tarp" that is in place of where my tongue was.
To "fill the void"
Keep fighting your cancer.
Stay positive.
You will have down moments and you will have optimistic moments.
Use all your energy for the optimistic moments.
I honestly wish you the best
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Praying for the best for you!
I understand about seeing food. My Wife is Fillipino, so she kept trying to feed me when I couldn't swallow at all. She finally was in tears and said, "But I'm Fillipino, the way we tell somebody we love them is to fed them!". I worry more for her than myself through all this.
I respect you for all you've gone through, let's hope your past the worst part!