Kimberly, Im so sorry you are joining our group due to being diagnoses with SCC. Soon you will learn a whole new vocabulary of medical terms.

Try to read the forum and main OCF pages to help educate yourself. Being an informed patient is going to make it much easier for you to advocate for yourself when the time comes.

Now is the time to eat like crazy. Have all your favorites, even dessert. Just ignore the calories. Its ok to gain a few pounds as you will probably be like most of us and a lose substantial amount of weight. If you are on the slim side, its a good idea to bulk up a little. During treatment and also in your recovery phase, eating and swallowing will probably be a challenge. Your sense of taste will be off and swallowing could be a struggle. This phase is horrible but usually its temporary, lasting anywhere from 4-16 weeks.

Every single day from now thru the first year after you finish your treatments, your daily intake should be a minimum of 2500 calories and 48-60 oz of water. It sounds like alot but in reality its not. Your body is fighting the cancer, plus it will be trying to heel from the effects of treatment. Both of those things burn calories like crazy. Some days will be harder than others to take in so much but you can do it. We are in your corner, here to help cheer you on to the finish line.

Best wishes!