A timeline of how my face has changed.
My "original face" before oral cancer. In 2018 with Ryan.
My face would change. But my faith never did.
As a point of reference for my healing, I'm sharing a silly photo of Ryan and my "original face" that we took in 2018. This was one year before cancerous lesions ever appeared under my tongue. The second shot is from July 27, 2020, just one month after the glossectomy. The left side of my lip was curled under my teeth. It was just severe enough that I had to hold my lip with my fingers when I ate so I wouldn't bite it. Though my face took a hit, I was elated to be able to eat and swallow successfully. (I hadn't enjoyed eating prior to my surgery because the blisters on my tongue hurt so bad.) You can see that by December 2020, six-months post op, I had been making up for lost time. My face is visibly fuller. (What can I say? I was celebrating my new tongue. It could taste and coordinate chewing - and it was glorious. My mouth was still crooked, but I wasn't biting my lip any longer.) In the last photo, from January 2022, my "original face" is almost back. -Something to smile about!
July 27, 2020 - one month after glossectomy surgery, trying not to bite my lip.
December 2020, six-months after surgery. Feeling so amazing. My mouth is still crooked, but I'm not biting my lip any longer.
January 2022. Almost back to my "original face". I’m smiling so big because God strengthened, upheld, and healed me - just like He promised He would. (Isaiah 41:10)