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Shirley Chung<\/strong> has shared the news that she was diagnosed with stage four tongue cancer.<\/p>\n The 47-year-old Top Chef<\/strong><\/a> <\/em>season 11 finalist recently took to Instagram to reveal her diagnosis with her followers. <\/p>\n Shirley<\/strong> shared that she got the news just a couple months ago and has already gone through six weeks of chemo, plus her tumor is shrinking.<\/p>\n Keep reading to find out more\u2026<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n \u201cSince last year December, I had a series of dental issues, I bit my tongue severely; I fractured my tooth and had to extract it and get an implant\u2026 we thought it was because I am a heavy teeth grinder. And I was too busy to see a EMT specialist,\u201d Shirley<\/strong> captioned <\/a>a set of photos and video of her shaving her head. \u201cThe end of May, ulcers erupted in my mouth and my oral surgeon discovered a hidden tumor under my tongue. A few days later, I was diagnosed, stage 4 tongue cancer, as cancer cells also spread into my lymph nodes.<\/p>\n \u201cI was very calm when doctors delivered the news, as a chef, I\u2019ve always thrive under pressure. I was extremely focused on getting all the tests and scans as fast as possible, so I can start on the treatment plans,\u201d she continued.<\/p>\n \u201cSunday June 2nd, Dr. Ho, my lead oncologist at Cedar Sinai called to discuss treatment plans. I broke down, crying, trying to put thoughts together and ask questions but physically couldn\u2019t, all I heard was \u201coption 1, surgery, 100% removal of your tongue\u201d \u2026 Jimmy was holding it together for both of us, asking if we have any option that I can keep my tongue and the survival rates \u201cThere is another option, which was a unicorn case, at University of Chicago, they cured a patient (a chef!) with radiation and chemo, but you will have to go to Chicago\u201d Higher survival rate, or keep my tongue? I chose to keep my tongue, I am a fighter, I am a chef, I can be that unicorn too.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI just finished 6 weeks of Chemo (and have many more to go), going to the hospital 4 times a week for injections, it\u2019s like a full time job. My tumor is shrinking, my speech is much better and I can eat most normal food now. I am learning to lean on others, to let go, to be more vulnerable \u2026.. it took me 2 weeks of contemplating to decide to tell my parents about my cancer, only my close circle of friends and my sister have known until now. I am learning, I can be strong 98% of the time, it\u2019s ok to be not ok. I have a tough long road to recovery in front of me. Your love and support will carry me through. Cheer me on, Shirley Chung 2.0 will be reborn in 2025! #chefshirleychung #cancerfighter #cancerawareness #cancerwarrior #fuckcancer\u201d<\/p>\n Shirley<\/strong> first competed on Top Chef<\/em> in season 11, placing third. She then returned in season 14 and competed against Brooke Williamson<\/strong> in the finals. In addition, she has also appeared on Top Chef Duels<\/em>, as well as Food Network\u2019s Tournament of Champions<\/em> and Guy\u2019s Grocery Games<\/em>.<\/p>\n If you missed it, Top Chef<\/em> has been renewed<\/a> for a 22nd season!<\/p>\n<\/div>\n