Welcome and congratulations on doing so well one year out.
You struck a cord with me when you said the worst part was telling your 79 year old parent's. It was the same for me and I worried about putting them through the experience. Only told them after I had my first meeting with the �team� and had a rough idea what I was in for.
They were shocked when they saw me in ICU the day after surgery. Now 3 years on they are now nearly 81 and 82 and we spend at least every 2nd Sunday together going out to different places for lunch.
Also like your topic name..wish I had found this site earlier.
Gabriele

History Leukoplakia bx 8/2006 SCC floor mouth T3N0M0- Verrucous Carcinoma.
14 hour 0p SCC-Right ND/excision/marginal mandibulectomy 9/2006, 4 teeth removed, flap from wrist, trach-ng 6 days- no chemo/rad.
6 ops and debulking (flap/tongue join) + bx's 2006-2012.
bx Jan 2012 Hyperkeratosis-Epithelial Dysplasia
24cm GIST tumour removed 8/2013. Indefinite Oral Chemo.

1/31/16 passed away peacefully surrounded by family