Stephanie Gayhart, a 37-year-old mother from the United States, has shared her poignant journey through a diagnosis of Stage 3 tongue cancer. Facing the challenge head-on, she took steps to reassure her young son of her love before undergoing a significant surgical procedure that resulted in the removal of half her tongue.
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In the summer of 2019, Gayhart began noticing alarming symptoms that prompted her to seek medical advice. What started as a pea-sized, painful lump beneath her chin quickly escalated to discomfort while speaking and swallowing. Despite being a healthy critical care nurse, she struggled to accept that her symptoms could point towards cancer. “I didn’t think ‘cancer’ at all, because who would automatically think ‘tongue cancer,’ especially at my age?” she reflected.
Despite her concerns, many healthcare professionals dismissed her worries, suggesting she was too young and healthy to develop such a disease. Gayhart recalled feeling frustrated as her pain became severe enough to require high doses of pain relief just to eat and talk. “I became angry that I felt like I was being ignored,” she admitted.
It wasn’t until she saw a specialist that a diagnosis was confirmed, although much to her dismay, the cancer had already spread to a lymph node by the time of her diagnosis. “From diagnosis to surgery was three weeks, and in that time, it spread to a lymph node,” Gayhart explained, marking a significant turning point in her life.
Upon receiving the news, she described the moment as surreal and overwhelming. “I remember walking into the break room, and when he told me the results, everything just stopped,” she recounted. This drastic change in her health would lead her to celebrate her “rebirthday” in August, marking seven years of being cancer-free. However, the aftermath of treatment brought new challenges that would require her to adjust to life with significant physical changes.
Gayhart has had to learn how to manage the physical ramifications of her surgery and subsequent radiation therapy. Eating has become a complex task, as she can now only chew on one side of her mouth due to the loss of her tongue. “Small, round things like beans or corn are difficult because if they get on my flap side, I can’t feel them, so they can roll back and I aspirate on them,” she explained, highlighting the challenges of everyday acts that many take for granted.
Further complicating matters, she developed a condition known as velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI), impacting her swallowing and increasing her risk of aspiration. “I need to have water with me at all times when eating, and my taste has also been affected, mostly from the dry mouth,” she said, noting her struggle to enjoy food as she once had.
Affecting her speech, Gayhart expressed frustration over the changes in her voice. Despite external perceptions that her speech sounded normal, the alterations were stark to her. “I trip over words a lot, especially certain sounds that are still difficult. Speaking in general is impossible when my mouth gets too dry,” she lamented, adding that it took years for her to listen to recordings of herself prior to treatment without becoming upset.
Reflecting on her experience, Gayhart urges young individuals to be vigilant about their health, asserting that cancer can affect anyone, regardless of age. “It’s happening more and more often, so, regardless of your health and age, it’s so important to trust your gut and get something checked out if it doesn’t feel right,” she advised.
In offering insights to those facing similar challenges or those who may encounter them in the future, she suggests cultivating self-compassion. “Give yourself grace and practice acceptance. Acceptance just means acknowledging that this is what it is, and I’m going to do my best to get through it,” she shared.
Gayhart’s reflections resonate with many survivors, as she emphasises that the path forward is not about reaching a destination but understanding that the journey continues. “There’s no true destination: we just have to keep walking the path in front of us until it eventually ends,” she concluded, embodying resilience in the face of adversity.