Tonye’s Cancer Journey
Learn from Tonye’s story of resilience and the power of a positive support system. Read her story of surviving and thriving after oral cancer.
Tonye // 30 Stories Campaign™ // Oral Cancer Awareness
In 2023, at the age of 54, I was diagnosed with oral cancer. The diagnosis shocked me because I don’t have an extensive family history of cancer. My grandfather had leukemia and my cousin had breast cancer, but those were the only distant incidences of cancer in my family. I believe my cancer was largely due to engaging in bad habits in the past. In 2016, I self-medicated, drank, and smoked every day to cope with the devastating loss of my father and my sister who passed away within 3 months of each other. We were a tight family, so this was an extremely challenging time in my life.
Before I was diagnosed, I first noticed that my tongue would swell when I ate shellfish. I thought it was allergies, but the swelling never went down. It got to the point where it was blocking my airway. Understanding that this was serious, I took action.
Would you like to read more stories like this?
Explore the journey of survivors, the advancements in treatments and empower yourself with knowledge.
I felt lost. When I received the diagnosis, I felt like I could not breathe. I was so afraid that I started crying, but my doctor was very supportive.
I rushed to the emergency room. The swelling did not go down even with Benadryl, so I was immediately referred to an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist. They conducted a biopsy and the results were positive for cancer.
I felt lost. When I received the diagnosis, I felt like I could not breathe. I was so afraid that I started crying, but my doctor was very supportive. He walked me through my next steps thoroughly.
He explained that I would need to have my tongue removed because a tumor was on the side of my throat and under my tongue. I had trouble breathing because the tumor pressed against my voice box. Removing the tumor surgically meant that I would not be able to speak with my voice ever again.
I cannot emphasize enough how grateful I am to the care team who treated me. I truly felt cared for and informed every step of the way.
I asked him if it would be possible to shrink the tumor with chemotherapy. So, he referred me to another doctor who led me through 3 rounds of chemotherapy, which successfully reduced my tumor. Eventually, I underwent surgery, but they saved my voice box.
I cannot emphasize enough how grateful I am to the care team who treated me. I truly felt cared for and informed every step of the way. I still see them to this day. I follow up with my doctors every couple of months to check for a possible recurrence, and I receive speech therapy to strengthen my ability to swallow, eat, and speak.
Trust the process. This involves listening to what your doctors, nurses, and speech-language therapists tell you.
I have a few pieces of advice for new patients. First, I would tell them to find a care team that fits their needs and genuinely cares for them. It will be a long journey and you will work with them for a while. I received such great care from my medical team, and it has made a world of difference.
Second, trust the process. This involves listening to what your doctors, nurses, and speech-language therapists tell you. You have to follow their directions and stay active.
Having the support and encouragement of my 13-year-old son and my family has brought so much positivity and strength into my journey
Lastly, you must stay determined to get better and take things one day at a time. My family and I get up early every morning to exercise and build good habits together. Having the support and encouragement of my 13-year-old son and my family has brought so much positivity and strength into my journey. Surrounding myself with a wonderful medical team and a caring personal network has changed my life for the better. I highly encourage others to actively seek out and build a support system that will do the same for them.
Interested in Sharing Your Cancer Journey?
For someone recently diagnosed with cancer, reading the stories of other caregivers and survivors can inspire.
Hey, Wait!
Subscribe to our newsletter and never miss our latest news and promotions.
newsletter
Hey, Wait!
Subscribe to our newsletter and never miss our latest news and promotions.
newsletter
