Welcome to OCF, Gayle! You have come to the best place for online support and correct medical info about anything and everything to do with oral cancer (OC). When first diagnoses it can be quite overwhelming to most of us. Theres so many appointments and specialists to run around seeing that it can make your head spin. Take it one day at a time. Now that you have found our site, we will be here to lean on and ask questions.

During your treatments and recovery its a very good plan to focus on what is within your control.... your intake! The very best thing you can do to help yourself prepare is to start by eating all your favorite foods, desserts too. You do not want to go into something like this having cravings. This is even more important if you are on the average of slim side, try to gain a few pounds before anything begins.
Unfortunately any disease that affects the mouth will also affect the patients ability to eat. For most patients, this is only a temporary thing.

Hang in there! Best wishes with everything!!!


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