Welcome to OCF, Andy! Im very sorry you have a need for our group. You are in the right place to get info and support to help get you thru some rough days ahead. We have been where you are and understand all too well about what you are going thru.
There are many tricks to help you deal with preparing yourself mentally. Im sure the cancer diagnosis came as quite a shock. Being forced to face your own mortality is not easy. Just remember the fear of the unknown tends to create alot of
"what if.." thinking which can quickly snowball into lots of negative thinking. Dont let yourself dwell on the negative or
"what if..." thinking for more than a few minutes then get up and "change the channel". Physically get up and go do something positive that will keep your mind engaged. Your little one should be a great distraction to letting too much negative thinking get the best of you.
As you are finding out, there are so many appointments. If you havent had a second opinion I would strongly recommend getting one. If you are able to find a Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC), that would be an excellent choice for a 2nd opinion and even a treatment facility. They use a team based approach so all the experts are on the same page and work together to create your treatment plan. Tumor boards are when all the specialists get together and discuss each individual case. Then a treatment plan is created well before any surgery is planned. There are even places that provide free or very low cost airfare and rooms for cancer patients who travel for their treatments. Find the very best medical team you can and get started to eliminate the cancer. It doesnt sound quite right the way you explained how you would have surgery and then your facility will have their tumor board meeting afterwards. It should be done both before and after with patients and their caregivers able to attend.
Anyone who offers their assistance when they find out about your illness, tell them when the time comes you will let them know what they can do to help. Write down their name and contact info so if you (or someone helping you) needs a hand they can reach out to the people on your list. With an active 4 year old and a teenager, theres a million minor things that others can do to help. All the small things can add up to being overwhelming when you are sick and cant do everything you used to. If you have radiation you may need someone to help you get back and forth to the treatment facility. When feeling bad and taking strong pain meds driving a car isnt the best idea so if possible line up a couple drivers now. You can also call the American Cancer Society 24/7 ask about their volunteer driver program.
Read thru the posts here and also read and absorb the main OCF site. Theres tons of important info in both places. By learning about your illness, you will become a strong advocate for yourself. Ive included very important links to help you find important info.
You will also want to schedule a dentist appointment to get a good check up and you may need flouride trays made if you will be having rads. I think I remember reading you already went to the dentist. You should have a complete blood work done including thyroid levels (men also should have their testosterone levels done too). Its easy to take care of this now before treatments, but its impossible going backwards to get your baseline numbers after you have had treatments.
This is something I nag everyone about, their intake. This is one of the most important things you will learn, especially if you are going to have rads. So start now eating all your favorite foods, desserts too. You dont want to go into this having any cravings. With the surgery you are having it will likely affect your ability to eat, at least for a couple days, maybe weeks.
List of CCCs OCF main pages... Financial Assistance OCF main site --- DIAGNOSIS OCF main site --- TREATMENT I hope this info helps and isnt overwhelming. Stick with us and stop by often, we are here to help you get thru your upcoming adventure. We're one big family here and we welcome you just like you are a long lost relative. Hang in there!!!
