Welcome to OCF, Eric! Im very sorry you have a need for our group, but fear not! We will help you with info and support.

Take it step by step. You will have to get back and forth to treatments if radiation is scheduled. Usually its 30/35 visits so 6 or 7 weeks of rads. the American Cancer Society (ACS) can help and they are available by phone 24/7 every day of the year so its ok to call anytime you want. The ACShas a volunteer driver program to help cancer patients get to their treatments and appointments. It usually takes a few weeks to get all the necessary paperwork set up so its a good idea to get the ball rolling as soon as possible.

Feel free to read posts and also the main OCF site to help educate yourself so you can be a strong advocate. With having doctors in your family they can also help you to understand everything you are up against. We will help get you thru, we have been in your shoes and understand the patients point of view.

Best wishes.

Christine
SCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44
2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07
-65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr
Clear PET 1/08
4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I
surg 4/16/08 clr marg
215 HBO dives
3/09 teeth out, trismus
7/2/09 recur, Stg IV
8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy
3wks medicly inducd coma
2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit
PICC line IV antibx 8 mo
10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg
OC 3x in 3 years
very happy to be alive smile