While working as an Oncology Nurse in March of 2009, my life changed forever.  I was 28 years old, married and just had our 3rd daughter. Having never drank or smoked and HPV negative, I was diagnosed with a Stage IV Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma of the Oropharynx.  I went through 9 weeks of induction chemo, a 14hr surgery to remove the tumor as well as to reconstruct part of my jaw and tongue with the use of a fibular free flap. 50 lymph nodes were removed and 10 tested positive for cancer. I had a tracheotomy, a feeding tube and a long term intravenous line. Following the surgery, I went through 6 weeks of chemo/radiation and by the end of treatment I lost 70lbs. My treatment finally ended in Sept 2009 and I am now proud to say I am cancer free.