Dsymae,

You have found the very best place you could possibly be. When the doc called to tell us about my husband I had never heard of SCC and had no idea what it meant but I found this place and I was able to make the treatments better for Harry because of the advice I gained being here.

Rule #1 - This can be beaten. The receptionist at the radiation facility that my husband went to was proof. She was diagnosed at 19 with tonsil SCC. She is now 64 and retired last year. She had far less technology and understanding about this disease than we do now and she has made it more than a lifetime!!

I share this with you because you need to know that the road has been traveled and your son has lots of hope. So should you!!

Take Danny's advice and make damned sure that you are treated at a major cancer center. This disease affords few second chances so fight it with every advantage you have. Even if you have to leave the state it is worth every mile I assure you!

When you have questions, drop in. Need to vent, drop in. Want a laugh because the day has really sucked..... drop in.

Put this place in your favorites and make it a home away from home. You are among friends here and we were all where you are now at some point.

Tell your son that if he needs to talk he should logon! We will answer whatever questions he has... at least as much as we can. Most important make sure he knows that he is not alone!

And neither are you. Make sure that you are his greatest advocate. I know that sounds difficult but you can do it. You took the first step coming here and it will only get better from there.

Now.... get a notebook. Go to every appointment with him no matter what and write down everything the docs tell you. Use the notebook to also write down questions you have. Keep that notebook close as it will be your best friend. When we are dealing with such stresses it is impossible to remember everything so make that notebook your friend. It will remind you of appointments, what the docs tell you and what questions to ask at the next appointment!

You are already ahead of the game because your son is at an age where he is strong and fighting! Make sure he uses that to his advantage. Then you feed on his strength and he will feed on yours.

Yes there will be times when you will wonder how much further you can go but if you look up any one of us and read our past posts you will see that we have struggled and triumphed! You will do the same. What is most important is that you are never shy about asking any questions and you seek us out when you need us.

Many of us have experienced what you are going to go through and others have not but the beaty of this forum is that someone is bound to have experienced something similar and we are all willing to share when we think it will help.

Find your armor... it is there somewhere and then use us to make it even stronger.

So long as you are here you and your son are never alone.

Be careful because around here we make friends for life! hehe

Let us know how things are going and don't ever hesitate to say what is on your mind.

You are now part of a whole that is so great you will never be alone. Use us! We are here for that very reason.

Keep us updated and let us know how things are going.

By the way, what is your son's name?

With Love Always,
Cindy