leslee's story. Scc of tongue

by leslee V
(orange, Ca , U.S)

My name is leslee, 19 years old. I was diagnosed with squamous cell cancer of the tongue on August 29, 2008.It started with a white spot on my tongue and as months went by it got worse. It was really painful, hard to eat and talk. I thought it was an infection so I went to the doctors. She put me on antibiotics but that didn't seem to help. After Graduating High school Yayy =) I had my fun but that pain was always there and I couldnt take it anymore so my sisters took me to more doctors and a specialist, DR.Vassalli. He did a biopsy and see I was planning a trip to Minnesota for the RNC so i asked if it was okay to go. Of course he said no but that trip was a chance of a lifetime. later that night i went to the E.R for pain and to see if I could get an MRI done. Nothing was stopping me from going to Minnesota. On August 29th, I flew to minnesota and yes, i was in sooooo much pain and hours after I got there I received the horrible news.I was rooming with my friend, Elena. and the news really hit her. she cried more than I did. It didn't hit me. It was so weird and hard to believe. Elena and I flew back on Aug.31st. I got home and went straight to the E.R. From then one I've been in n out out of Hospitals.
talked to so many doctors, talked to my surgeons DR.Armstrong, DR.Kim (UCI) about what was going to happen and my side affects. My surgery was Sep.25. It was a 9 1/2 hour surgery. basically, they removed most of my tongue,lymph nodes, take a skin muscle from my left thigh for my new tongue. OH god. I remember waking up and feeling like i had a huge tube pushed down my throat and like i couldnt breath.My face n new tongue was soooooooo huge and i had tubes everywhere. I seriously went to hell. Since I wasn't to speak nor move it was frustrating when I felt like I needed to throw up and couldn't breath. My eyes were barely open and i was always so out of it. 8 days later I was moved from intensive care to a room. Months later I was doing so good. I was able to make sound and began saying words now i can talk. Enough where you can understand me =) Now, im going through Chemo and radiation therapy. Radiation is kinda hard because my mouth is so irrated with blisters and sores, hurts to swallow. Ohhhh..I got my breathing tube taken out today =) I can't wait til i can eat again. I get so hungry. once this feeding tube is out im going to be so happy. I keep a journal. I write down what happens and my emotions. I wanted to know or read about people who went through what im going through and i hope i can help people one day and inspire them. MY family and friends tell me that im very strong and inspire people and I say "I dont know how strong i am but when being strong is the only choice you have I HAVE to be"
I thank god for my family and friends and I was never mad at god nor complained because I know god has a great plan for me in the future and everything happens for a reason. Everything Im going through is not easy. I have my bad days when i feel so weak but I pray and ask god to help me get by. So remember that Its not easy and eveything takes time but everything will be okay at the end =) I hope you enjoyed my story. I didnt tell everything but i got to the point.If you wish to email me my email address is....LesleeV_08@yahoo.com