Living with Oral Cancer

My husband was diagnosed with cancer at the base of the tongue 4 days before his 50th birthday. He had no known risk factors. In spite of regular dental and medical exams, the location of the cancer prevented diagnosis until the cancer was at Stage 4 and had spread to 3 lymph nodes in the neck. It was actually the lymph nodes that were finally detected and trackedback to their source. He underwent a radical neck dissection, 7 weeks of radiation and chemo Three years later he is cancer free! He has perservered and today, though he will always have to drink the majority of his caloric intake, he is off a feeding tube and is able to eat. Eating is not the pleasure it once was, but he is able to join in the dining experience. The most difficult side effect to live with has been the ongoing pain in his tongue when he to eats or drinks.