Hello my name is Karen and my dad was just diagnosed with cancer. We just found out about a week and a half ago. I think he has had it for some time now. He had been having some trouble with his teeth-dentures, and was recommended to an ear nose and throat specialist. This doctor did some tests and told him he had cancer. He went to the VA hospital in West Palm Beach Fla.(he is a (56yr old) retired Vietnam veteran with agent orange). They did some scans and told him that he would have to have his lower jaw, half of his tounge, the nodes in his neck removed, and then radiation. It was like a shotgun went off in my entire family's face.

He has gone to Altanta Georgia to the VA hospital there. His sister-my aunt- is living there just outside of Atlanta and she will be his primary care giver before ,during, and after his treatments. I am living in California(with five children) and will be going back and forth. His next appointment- we don't know what comes next- is tomarrow.

My dad is a smoker and always liked a few beers around 5pm. We all know that this doesn't help and could definately be the cause of his cancer along with the agent orange and chance. I have been praying, reading, talking with people, and everyday I get more knowledgable about cancer.

I still cry uncontrollably.

Our journey has just begun and I now know what cancer is. I could never have known. I have many questions about the surgery, disfigurement, speech, etc. I am very worried because my dad has lost alot of weight already. He has dentures and says with or without them it is painful to eat. He also does not have very much of an appetite.

When I get more info I will have the name and stage. I am hoping that this cancer is the begining of the rest of his life. Maybe he will stop smoking and drinking and take control. This has been the biggest wake up call on many things for us as a family. Good and not so good.

I wanted to give you a little idea of where we are coming from and I want to say what a wonderful site this is and wanted to say that I pray for everyone . Thank you for letting me share. Karen