Young Tongues

In this episode of the Young Tongues podcast, Barbara interviews Jennifer Alexander, a member of the community, who shares her experience with tongue cancer. Jennifer talks about her various diagnoses since her early twenties, her struggles with treatments, and her surgeries. She emphasizes the importance of HPV vaccination for preventing HPV+ oral cancer and shares her experiences in advocating for cancer awareness. The conversation also touches on the psychological impacts of a cancer diagnosis, the stigma associated with HPV, and the importance of not feeling ashamed.

In this episode of the Young Tongues podcast, host Barbara Fountain interviews Angilee Wilkerson about her experience with tongue cancer. Angilee, who noticed something was wrong when her tongue moved to one side, was diagnosed with stage 3 tongue cancer. Despite being given a 40% chance of survival with chemo and radiation, Angilee with the support of ther clinical team opted for a wait and watch approach. Three years out from surgery Angilee is still cancer free. Angilee also discusses her invention, TOUGLES, a device to help tongue cancer survivors eat and improve speech. The episode touches on her recovery journey, the impact of the surgery on her eating and speech, and the emotional and psychological aspects of her choices.https://www.tougles.com/

In this episode of the Young Tongues podcast, Jamie introduces a guest very dear to her heart, Steph, who played a vital role during her own tongue cancer diagnosis. Steph, a critical care nurse, details her journey from discovering a lump under her chin to being diagnosed with stage three squamous cell carcinoma of the oral tongue. She recounts the initial misdiagnoses, the eventual diagnosis process, her 12-hour surgery, and the emotional and physical struggles during recovery. Steph also shares her grueling experience with radiation treatment, the lasting physical effects, and the emotional toll of her journey. She emphasizes the importance of finding a supportive community of fellow cancer survivors and shares how her life and career have changed post-cancer. The episode concludes with Steph providing advice for newly diagnosed patients and a light-hearted discussion on fictional characters they identify with.

In this episode of the Young Tongues podcast, Barbara discusses her summer activities and experiences with her co-host Jamie. Jamie delves into her radiation experience for tongue cancer, including preparations, side effects, and the emotional journey. They touch upon the significance of having a support system, especially during COVID-19, and highlight the importance of mentally preparing yourself. The episode concludes with a listener question about regaining feeling in post-surgery areas, followed by a teaser for an upcoming interview with another patient.

In this episode of the Young Tongues podcast, Barbara interviews Andrea Rodriguez, a fellow tongue cancer patient from Texas. Andrea shares her journey, starting from her first dental appointment at just 18 being diagnosed with leukoplakia, through multiple diagnoses and the impact treatment had on her her emotional and physical health. She details the initial appearance of lesions, the progression to cancer, surgeries, and subsequent radiation therapy. Andrea emphasizes the importance of community support, mental health, and the invaluable assistance she received from the Young Tongues community. The conversation underscores the significance of staying positive, seeking help, and the impact of a supportive network during such a challenging experience.

In this episode of the Young Tongues podcast, co-hosts Barbara and Jamie discuss the challenges and experiences faced after tongue cancer surgery, particularly the transition from hospital to home. Both hosts open up about their personal struggles, including managing fatigue, the psychological impact of their surgeries, and the unique issues of caring for young children post-surgery. The episode also touches on their different decisions regarding post-surgery radiation therapy and their eventual return to work, highlighting how varied and personal these journeys can be.

In this episode of the Young Tongues podcast, Barbara chats with Sarah and Cheryl from Cancer Sex and Intimacy. They dive into their project, which tackles the often-ignored topic of sex and intimacy for cancer patients. Sarah opens up about her Hodgkin's lymphoma treatment and its toll on her sexual health, while Cheryl shares her journey with stage 4 neuroendocrine cancer and the lack of support for intimacy after treatment. They stress how crucial it is to talk about sexual health in cancer care, the importance of supportive communities, and the need for better communication between patients and doctors. They also discuss their booklet, 'Pleasure and Intimacy: A Guide for People Living with Cancer,' and share personal stories about reclaiming sexual health, the impact of cancer on relationships, and dealing with menopause.To get a copy of the 'Pleasure & Intimacy' booklet please email us at cancerandintimacy@gmail.com or find us on instagram @sex_cancer_intimacy. The information is predominantly aimed at women and non-binary people but there is definitely something for everyone so please don't hesitate to ask us for a copy.The booklet was put together for the Cancer, Sex & Intimacy project by Fruit fly Collective with graphic design by Daphne Vanden Borre.For menopause support look to Make Menopause Matter and @dianedanzebrink for their amazing booklet 'Understanding Menopause' 

In this week's episode, Young Tongues podcast hosts Barbara Fountain and Jamie Powell return after a six-month hiatus to catch up and discuss their plans for season 2. Barbara shares her recent experience walking 100K across the Jordan desert and updates on her struggle with chronic fatigue. Jamie talks about her summer in Southern California and her progress with trying new foods. The hosts express gratitude for their listeners' support and unveil a big development: a substantial donation from Oracle Head and Neck Cancer UK that allows Barbara to work full-time on Young Tongues. They tease the next episode focused on sex and intimacy after cancer and emphasize the importance of advocacy and self-care in their journeys. The episode maintains their usual blend of candid conversation and humor.