Did you know head and neck cancers make up roughly 4% of cancers in the US? They are more than 2x as common in men as they are in women and more often than not found in humans over the age of 50, rather than in younger people.
I was 25 when diagnosed with nasopharyngeal carcinoma, a pretty rare type of head and neck cancer. I am currently 30 and have been living almost 4 years cancer free! It’s an amazing feat but also one that really challenged me. There are long term life impacts after beating cancer: there are regular scans, slightly invasive scopes, blood draws, doctors appts, etc. However, there are some odd lingering side effects as well, I have a pink patch that takes over my right cheek at the most inopportune times, hair color and texture is different, I have muscle spasms and nerve damage, sometimes my fingers go numb and tingly and sometimes my tongue turns white because it loses blood flow and I can’t talk for a while until it returns. My tastebuds have changed: chocolate isn’t very good anymore (which is most unfortunate) ice cream just tastes cold and dear God, if anything has a slight spice to it, count me out. But on top of all that negative, it gave me something else, a different perspective on life. It made me stronger, definitely. It also made me mad, it made me sad, and it made me scared. But it has also made me look at things differently, makes me happier I’m here, much more grateful, optimistic, and hopeful for what is to come! Life is scary, but life is fun, it’s beautiful, it’s crazy, and it’s always an adventure.
I am not a professional about this topic but I can share my story and help be there with people who need me when going through something really hard, whether it’s similar to my experience or something totally different. I don’t have all the answers but I do always have time to listen and help in anyways I can.
Next month, I will be 4 years cancer free, one more year and I’ll officially be a survivor! Who wants to plan a trip to celebrate!!?!?
