I have just been diagnosed with tongue cancer. I am expecting surgery and radiation treatment in a few weeks. I am 34 and have a four year old daughter.
This site has been a wealth of information for me as I have been told very little yet. Although the information is scary reading, it has been a great help to at least know what I can expect ahead.
You all sound like lovely people and I wish you all the best.
Thanks for sharing your stories, they have certainly helped put things in to perspective for me.
Cheers all.
Karyn

Dear Karyn

Welcome to the board. I am sorry you have to face such a difficult disease at such a young age and with a young family.

Like you, I found the OCF site helpful and informative, especially during the early days when I was making treatment decisions etc.

As far as coping with cancer is concerned, I found that acceptance was the key for me. I focussed on positive treatment rather than anger and denial. Laughter helped, as did being open with people - their support was wonderful. Cancer taught me it was OK to accept help - I was too independent previously.

Others here will have travelled on the journey you are beginning and will offer advice. We are all here for you and I send best wishes for successful treatment.

Love and light from Helen

Welcome Karyn. How is it in New Zealand? I'm sorry
about your cancer. If you have any questions feel
free to ask. I'm 15 years out. I'll pray for you
and wish you the best.
Cathy

Hi Karyn,
Welcome to the board. I'm really sorry you had to find us, but we will try to help as much as possible. Ask all the questions you want. Read as many previous posts as you can related to your particular cancer site and treatment options. We are here to support and help you get through your treatment and on with your life.

Take care,
Eileen

Hi Cathy, Helen and Eileen. Lovely to meet you and thanks for the welcome. I certainly am making the most of reading all previous posts...wow! I have had this horrible thing in my mouth for such a long time and finally when the right doctor has a look everything is done so quickly. And to be told so little apart from "it can be quite devastating"...
New Zealand has very little information about oral cancer available....it is our Cancer Society donation collection day soon: "Daffodil Day" I will certainly be helping out with that if I can.
You take care...Warm regards, Karyn

Hi Karyn,

I echo all the previous responses, especially Helen's ...I wasn't told very much in the beginning, and it wasn't till after my radical neck dissection that I found OCF. An absolute gold mine of information. I had radiotherapy at Royal North Shore Hospital in Sydney, and we had some Kiwi's being treated there also. Any questions, feel free...and "Daffodil Day" happens to be on my birthday this year...how ironic!

Cheers!

Tizz

Hi Karen,
I was 41 when I was diagnosed with jaw cancer and at the time my youngest was 9 and I also had two grandaughters ages 3 and 4. I have seven children so this really shook our family up alot. I wasn't given alot of information at first either and when I did start learning it scared me so badly. I'm sure you're feeling pretty scared right now but what you must do is make sure you are getting the proper treatment. That should be your main goal right now. Can you tell us more about your cancer, such as staging, etc?
I had an enormous surgery removing half of my jaw and replacing it with a bone from my leg and then had 6 week of radiation. Two years later I am alive and well, cancer free, changed yet in my opinion a better person for it all. Cancer robs us but the experience of cancer gives many hidden gifts.
I hope you have a good support system and that you can keep a positive attitude.
Take care,
Minnie

Hi Minnie and Tizz...if only I knew a bit more I could tell you exactly where I am at. I was diagnosed in a small town (Whangarei) here in NZ, but everything has to be done in Auckland, so I was officially discharged from my local hospital last week. Went for CT scans and x rays last week as well. I havent seen the specialist yet - so I only have an outline of what to expect. So my short term goal at the moment is to ensure my little girl is cared for, she is lucky to have three parents , so I shouldnt have to much to worry about.
All of you people certainly sound like you have been through the mill. I understand completely when you say you are a better person for it.
I will be thinking of you on Daffodil day Tizz - I hope you have a blast.
Hopefully I can let you know where I am soon..and it all isnt too much to take in.
Thanks for your thoughts...Karyn

Hello Karyn,

Welcome to the club nobody wamts to join!!!
Don't let all the scary postings about treatment
dominate your thoughts. Many of us have went thru
similier trestment and have few side effects. I hhope this is true in your case.
As you start your journey down this rocky road please know many of us have traveled it and survived. You can to!!!
Did they tell you what your staging was?
Hopefully they caught it in it's early stage.
What type of surgery are they planning?
Are you being treated at a majoe comprehensive cancer center? Have you got a second opinion?
If not I would suggest you do. You want to throw everything at this the first time. It is a most unforgiving diaease.

Please keep us posted as you start your journey. We may be able to offer additional advice that will help you.

All My Best to you and your family.

Danny Boy

Hi Danny Boy
I am at stage II. I was really surprised when I was told they had caught it early as it has been giving me grief for over a year. I have had what I thought was an ulcer for over three years.
I know very little yet but will be treated at the biggest hospital in New Zealand in Auckland city. I havent had a second opinion yet - but I suppose being referred now to a new hospital is just as good at this stage. The biggest thing for me is fear of the unknown so any information is great at this stage.
I will keep you posted on what is happening...thanks for your thoughts Danny Boy - you take care. Karyn