‘Top Chef’ Alum Shirley Chung Diagnosed With Stage 4 Tongue Cancer

Former “High Chef” finalist Shirley Chung says she was recognized with tongue most cancers after struggling severe dental points.

Chung posted a message on Instagram detailing her painful journey that started along with her biting her tongue and shattering her tooth, which had to get replaced with an implant.

She mentioned at first she thought her illnesses have been as a consequence of her enamel grinding, however, by Might, she had ulcers in her mouth and her oral surgeon discovered a tumor below her tongue. This turned out to be stage 4 most cancers that had unfold to her lymph nodes.

When the docs delivered the dangerous information, Chung mentioned she was calm as a result of she thrives below strain, however she rapidly zeroed in on getting the required assessments for her remedy plan.

Regardless of her coolness, Chung says she broke down in tears when she discovered she must bear surgical procedure to fully take away her tongue.

Chung says she requested docs whether or not she might maintain her tongue and nonetheless survive – and was advised there was a “unicorn case” wherein a affected person was cured after receiving chemotherapy.

Her remaining determination was to carry on to her tongue, believing she, too, may very well be a unicorn.

Now, Chung says, she completed 6 weeks of chemo and is seeing some progress because the tumor shrinks and her speech improves. She’s additionally in a position to eat most conventional meals once more.

In her IG put up, Chung uploaded a video and images displaying her shaving her whole head after she started dropping her hair throughout her most cancers therapies. She admits having no hair is “kinda attractive.”