Jim’s Cancer Journey
Jim overcame tongue cancer with strength & resilience! Learn from a survivor’s powerful journey, embracing physical activity & determination. Get inspired now!
30 Stories in 30 Days™ // April 2023
A couple years ago, I had an implant placed by my local dentist. Unfortunately, my dentist had limited experience in performing implants and cracked my jaw bone in the process, which led to bone protruding from my gum. In the exact location where my tongue rubbed against the protruding bone, lesions formed on my tongue. While it felt uncomfortable chewing food because of the lesions on my tongue, my dentist told me that this would not evolve into a significant issue.
Unfortunately, the lesions on my tongue did not improve over time, so I met with an oral surgeon who suggested I have them removed. The oral surgeon removed only one small lesion underneath my tongue. An additional lesion on my tongue, which rested further in my throat, would require complete excision by a head and neck surgeon.
I do not let my disease define me, and to this day, I aim to continue my work as a structural engineer and architect, regardless of how my disease progresses.
Before I proceeded with surgery with my head and neck surgeon, I had a biopsy that confirmed the lesion further back on my tongue was cancerous. Within the next month, I had a glossectomy that removed the tumor in my tongue, and a procedure to remove several lymph nodes in my neck.
Around two months later, my head and neck surgeon recommended I begin radiation treatment. For the next six weeks, I proceeded with radiation treatment everyday. The first week of radiation treatment went well. However, the side effects worsened as the weeks went on. I noticed that I had lost my sense of taste by around the midpoint of my radiation treatment. By the final couple weeks of radiation treatment, I felt extremely tired, but I could not sleep well at night due to the constant urge to spit out mucus.
I owe a tremendous amount to the speech pathologists I worked with closely, who were so friendly and personable.
Prior to the lesions forming on my tongue, I was overweight. Prior to the surgery, I lost 25 pounds due to the discomfort of eating with the lesions on my tongue. During the radiation treatment, I lost an additional 15 pounds due to the difficulty of eating and processing food. Fortunately, I am no longer overweight.
Now almost two years after finishing radiation treatment, my initial symptoms have subsided, but I still feel lingering pain in my tongue and mouth. Quite often, I feel a burning sensation, and it becomes uncomfortable to eat.
One lesson I have learned throughout my recovery is the value of physical activity.
During my recovery, I had a wonderful experience working with speech and swallowing experts, who helped me regain some of my speech following the removal of a portion of my tongue. I owe a tremendous amount to the speech pathologists I worked with closely, who were so friendly and personable. I also regularly follow up with my physicians to monitor the progress of my healing.
Several things in my lifestyle have changed significantly since my surgery. Firstly, I struggle to speak loudly after my glossectomy. I often need to repeat myself or speak with a louder tone in front of others. Additionally, my diet has changed dramatically. I cannot enjoy lots of the foods I previously enjoyed. I stick to eating softer, smoother foods, and I certainly stay away from crunchy foods that cause discomfort in my tongue.
One lesson I have learned throughout my recovery is the value of physical activity. Despite still feeling some side effects of radiation treatment, I try my best to stay physically active. This has been, by far, the best thing for me to ensure that I do not get overwhelmed by my treatment. I do not let my disease define me, and to this day, I aim to continue my work as a structural engineer and architect, regardless of how my disease progresses or how difficult recovery may become in my future.
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