“Top Chef” alum Shirley Chung is currently fighting stage 4 tongue cancer.
The 47-year-old chef shared a heartfelt health update with her followers after experiencing a “series of dental complications.”
“Since last December, I have faced a number of dental issues, including severely biting my tongue, fracturing a tooth, and subsequently undergoing an extraction and implant… ” Chung detailed on Instagram.
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“Top Chef” alum Shirley Chung shaved her head in a video as she detailed her cancer journey. (Getty Images/Instagram)
“At the end of May, ulcers appeared in my mouth and my oral surgeon found a concealed tumor beneath my tongue. Shortly after, I was diagnosed with stage 4 tongue cancer, with cancer cells having spread to my lymph nodes.”
The “Top Chef” alum was seen shaving her head in a video, sharing her health journey.
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Despite appearing to be in good spirits throughout the video, she mentioned that “surprisingly, shaving it all off, mentally” helped her “feel better” than the struggle of pulling out her hair in the morning.
Chung competed in two seasons of the popular cooking show “Top Chef,” making it to the finals in season 14.
Shirley Chung was diagnosed with stage 4 tongue cancer in the spring. (Getty Images)
Chung’s culinary skills helped her remain “calm under pressure” upon learning about her cancer diagnosis, although she candidly shared the challenges she faced.
“I felt very composed when the doctors delivered the diagnosis… I was intensely focused on undergoing all the necessary tests and scans swiftly so that I could begin treatment,” she elaborated.
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Shirley Chung competed in season 11 of “Top Chef.”
Upon receiving a phone call from her primary oncologist on June 2 to discuss treatment options, Chung confessed that she broke down in tears.
“I started crying, attempting to gather my thoughts and pose questions but physically couldn’t; all I processed was ‘option 1, surgery, complete removal of your tongue…'”
Chung praised her husband, Jimmy, for his unwavering support as they evaluated her choices.
“I am learning that I can be strong 98% of the time; it’s ok to not be ok.”
“Jimmy was keeping it together for us both, inquiring about any options that would allow me to retain my tongue and the survival rates. ‘There is another choice, a rare case at the University of Chicago; they cured a patient (a chef!) with radiation and chemotherapy, but it means traveling to Chicago,'” she recounted. “Higher survival rate or save my tongue? I opted to keep my tongue; I am a fighter, and I’m a chef, I can be that rare case too.”
Shirley Chung revealed she suffered “a series of dental issues.” (Getty Images)
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In her social media post, Chung continued to provide updates on her treatment for tongue cancer.
“I have just completed 6 weeks of chemotherapy (with many more sessions to go), visiting the hospital 4 times each week for injections, which feels like a full-time job,” she explained.
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Shirley Chung made it to the finals in season 14 of the popular cooking show “Top Chef.”
“My tumor is decreasing in size, my speech is improving, and I can eat most regular food now… I am learning that I can be strong 98% of the time; it’s ok to not be ok. I have a challenging and lengthy path to recovery ahead of me.”
In light of her cancer diagnosis, the Food Network star made the difficult choice to close her Los Angeles-based restaurant, which she owned with her husband.
“Given Chef Shirley’s diagnosis, we have made the hard decision to close Ms. Chi so she can concentrate on her recovery,” Chung announced in her recent social media update. She expressed gratitude towards her loved ones and supporters for their encouragement.
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