Thank you

All my best vibes to you for a complete cure...

I am so very sorry to hear this.

I'm hoping for the best.

squamous cell carcinoma on my tonsils in January of 2009. Had surgery and radiation.

your cheek, mouth area, and jaw. My radiology oncologist told me on my first visit that I should have all my teeth removed and a port and a feeding tube installed. He said of all the cancers he dealt with, he thought those with oral cancers had the roughest road to go. The radiation affects the bones of the jaws making them brittle, wipes out taste buds, and kills the saliva glands. Eating becomes a chore or impossible in some cases. The inside of the mouth can blister and burn. I noticed a flier in his office for a local support group, Support for People with Oral, Head, and Neck Cancers or SPOHNC.

I attended my first session with them while I was having a root canal and crown put in (I elected to have all possible dental problems resolved rather than losing my teeth.)

This may not be your 'cup of tea' but being able to talk with people who have undergone treatment for oral cancers and know all the 'tricks' of getting through it was very helpful to me. I still attend our monthly meetings. SPOHNC has chapters across the country.

I am going to ask about a support group when I see the oncologist. I've done some reading and having been properly freaked out, I decided to wait until I do see him before I read anything else.

Hopefully there will be a support group close by. My oncologist is 3 hours away.

I don't want to overwhelm myself but at the same time I want to know (and do) everything now.

Thanks!

Despite the huge improvements in medicine, and improvement in cancer prognosis, it's still scary.

Sending positive thoughts your way.

It is scary. I wish I could have seen my face when he told me because the look on his face after seeing my reaction caused me to feel bad for him.

you will be too

That's great news!

I hope to join your club.

Hoping that this is caught soon and treatable.



Holding our best thoughts for effective remedies and treatments in the near future.

The one Doc thinks a "strong maybe" they have (caught it early) but I won't really know until I see the oncologist.

Much appreciated.

The first few weeks will be a bit crazy, what with appointments and treatment plans, etc - so PLEASE remember to take plenty of time for yourself to rest and process what they are telling you.

Please let us know how you are doing and if there is anything we can do to help. Happy to do research, especially if you are given multiple options. Just say the word.

You aren't alone.

I'll let you know. I do appreciate your words and offer.

The waiting to know my next step...very hard already.

I had a cancer policy with aflac through work. When I got my initial diagnosis, the world was spinning. I just wanted it all to be known, decided and over immediately. Dx was confirmed through a biopsy that I insisted had to happen immediately, and it cost me $10k because I was still in my waiting period on the policy - had I waited 3 (!!) days, it would have paid off and helped me offset a host of medical bills.

To their credit, they did refund all of my premiums.

I wish I had taken the time to just be quiet and allow my brain to process all of the information coming in like a flood. It would have served me physically WAY more than financially - but it is damn hard. The brain just has a need to know and it will wear you out if you let it.

I wish for you a peaceful and restful evening as you work to process the information. Cancer is NOT a death sentence. You can beat this.

I'll get some of it back once the insurance company processes the claim.

My oncologist is on my plan w/ Tri-Care.

I am the same way right now. I want it over and done with - yesterday.

Thank you again for your words!

I hope you're doing well.

I got something to help me relax.

My doggies will cuddle next to me and that always helps.

just know that you'll have support from the group.

Try and not read too much on the internet, but someone needs to stay informed ... if possible delegate some of that task.

Many hugs

I've read some already and got a little freaked and decided to read more after I see the oncologist and know more about the cancer. (Stage, etc.)

I'm compiling a list of questions for the doctor and will being asking him during my appointment.

I'm trying to be proactive without overwhelming myself.

I hate waiting though.

while not becoming overwhelmed with everything you read. It is important to find some quiet corner to which you can escape during a difficult time, I think the mental state does play a role in one's general physical well being. Hopefully you'll find that quiet corner that will let you relax a bit.

The waiting is horrible ... spoken more from a caregiver point of view and less so from a survivor POV. My cancer was not nearly as serious as my husband's, but he was a much better patient and I think that helped him during some difficult times.

We'll all be sending you positive thoughts for May 1st and beyond, politics do take a back seat faced when faced with life changing news.

Be well!

unnecessarily. You need to know more before you can research intelligently. Above all, urge every one of your doctors, from the radiologist to the oncologist to the surgeon, to be completely honest and up front with you about what is most likely to happen. It is less frightening to just know it all from the get-go.

I also hated waiting; I wanted that THING out of me, immediately.

As a breast cancer survivor, I give you for the struggles and pain you will be going through. It is NOT necessarily a death sentence, nor does it always ruin life as you know it. Compassionate and truthful doctors are your best friends.

I'll know more on the 1st of May. I already have a list of questions to ask and I fully expect my doctors to be honest with me - and plan to tell them so.

I'm the type that wants to have it all laid out beforehand.


and to you!

Good luck and remember that everyone--and every cancer--is different.

Appreciate it.

I've done the wringer too. The frustrating thing is "every case is different", which could be either a positive or a negative. Here's hoping yours is a positive (e.g.: obviously still cancer, but things in your favor). PM me if you want to chat privately. The wringer includes the emotional wringer too. Hope you do well. Don't hesitate to PM.

Best,

- Tab

I appreciate the offer. I might just take you up on it. Lately I've been jolting myself awake with bad dreams about it. I try not to wake the house up when I do.

Overwhelmed, panicked, scared, confused, angry- all totally normal and completely understandable. Give yourself time to take it all in, bring someone with you to your oncologist and know that you are not alone. There are many of us cancer warriors out here cheering you on!

I was diagnosed in Jan. with a rare and aggressive strain of NH lymphoma. Just completed my fourth (of six) chemo and doing ok. Better then expected actually.

Take things one day at a time and surround yourself with people you love and lots of treats to make you feel better!

You can and will get through this!

I'm glad you're doing better!

I'm somewhat nervous about the 1st but I'm also hopeful. I'll let everyone know what he says once I'm back. I have to travel a few hours to get there.

I am very grateful for all the encouragement from everyone.

It really has helped.

Take lots of notes and be prepared to be swimming in information. Just write everything down (or better, have someone with you do that) so that you can process what they are saying after you have a chance for some quiet time.

I got a notepad filled with questions. Will take notes.

I even have a bag packed just in case.

I'll be taking my tablet and phone with me to keep in touch (given the chance), just in case.

Today is my wedding anniversary and we've been happily lazy - just enjoying the beautiful day.

I'll let everyone know how it went.

Yay for lazy days.