Hi I’m glad to have found this. There is so much to learn and I’m thankful for your willingness to help. I already have some good questions to ask my doctor. I am recently diagnosed and things are moving so fast. I was diagnosed with scc on my tongue, I have a surgery date in a few weeks. I want to be a patient that challenges and understands And Is an advocate for my own treatment, but truth is I have no idea where to look and what to ask and where to divide my energy since I’m a working mother of 2 beautiful young kids. My doctor seemed very knowledgeable and quickly set a surgery date but truth is I still am getting testing done. The center I am going to is reputable, but Where do you find more information to see if it’s the right one? Or even where to get a second opinion. Also I am concerned about my anxiety. I have a hard time sleeping and my heart is racing, my bp pretty high, which freaks me out more. Any tips on that regard? Lastly I’ve told close family and my work but having trouble with calling others, I simply hate talking about it even though they would surly be supportive.

Hi kala12, Christine will reply soon I think. She is amazing and so informative! This is the perfect place to come! There is wonderful, very informative, and excellent,quite well vetted information here. Welcome, bless you. I am new here my self, waiting for diagnosis for the second time, but even so, I have been so amazingly educated and been given such good advice, education, encouragement and information. So, soon, Christineb and others far more informed than I will be here to lift you up.😚

Welcome to OCF, Kayla! Im very sorry you have a need for our help but you are in the very best place for correct and up to date medical info and support. OCF is the largest online oral cancer support group available. Plus we are certified by Health on the Net which ensures only correct info is given.

Below is a tab you should read section by section. It explains everything in detail about diagnosis, treatments, etc. Just remember, surgeons cut ... its what they do and once its been cut it cant ever be put back. If you have not had extensive testing and met with oncologists (both medical and radiation) then most likely your facility is not a Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC). At a CCC, all the specialists work together and meet at a tumor board meeting so everyone gives input to create a treatment plan. Even the patient is allowed to attend. Using a team based approach ensures everyone is on the same page and the patient gets the best tried and true treatments by highly skilled physicians. Let me know if you need the CCC or top hospital lists.

Right now, those who you have told will probably offer their assistance. Having young children at home means you will need lots of help. Write down all the volunteers info and tell them when the time comes you will let them know what they can do to help. Before doing any treatments, you should see your dentist for a thorough check up and molds should be made for fluoride trays (if you will be doing rads), you also need a full blood work up including thyroid and testosterone for men. Its easy to have blood work done prior to and treatment so you have your baseline numbers but you cant later go back and get those important baseline numbers.

Start eating all your favorite foods now. If you gain a few pounds its ok. Most treatments for OC involve patients ending up with a sore mouth and making eating very difficult. Eat now so you dont go into this with cravings. Get used to drinking lots of water as well. Water is very important if chemo is going to be part of your treatment plan. You need to drink 48-64 oz every single day to flush the chemo poison from your body.

If you already suffer from anxiety, see your doctor right away! Many anxiety meds take weeks for their full effect to work. Get started on them now. OC can cause some patients to get depressed. Anyone who already has issues can expect those things to be intensified with all the new health problems suddenly weighing down their shoulders. Seek out other in-person cancer support groups, maybe at your treatment facility (if thats where you plan on going). OCF is the very best at supporting you and welcoming new members but being online is much different than being there in person. You can lean on us, vent, etc and we will always understand as we have all gone thru all of those wild ranges of emotions ourselves.

Best wishes with everything you are facing! Feel free to ask questions. We're here to help make all this as easy as possible.

Main OCF site, Understanding Diagnosis, Treatments, Complications, etc.

Thank you so much for the quick response! I really appreciate it and would love a list of top CCC.

Heres a link to the NCI's (Nation Cancer Institute) map of top treatment centers including CCCs. The NCI is the government's principal agency for cancer research, training, etc.

NCI Designated Cancer Centers, search by state or map

Thank you! Mine is on the list. Just want to thank you for the work you do here. Reading through these posts and your answers provide me with a perspective I needed, And Is a source of comfort.