Lisa welcome to OCF. We had a young girl here a couple years ago who was only 18 when diagnosed with OC. She completed rads/chemo and is currently doing excellent.

A couple words of wisdom to you. Since you are just beginning everything, eat like crazy while you are able to. During radiation your taste changes and sometimes becomes uncomfotable to eat, so eat now. Dont worry about calories, eat it all smile

Will you be getting a port and feeding tube? If you are offered those things, its a good idea. A port will make chemo so much easier and you dont need to constantly get stuck for blood tests. The peg tube is for liquid nutrition, its something most people get. Some patients get by without it, but its a rough road. To me it was a life saver, I still lost 65 lbs with having one.

Something else very important, do you have people lined up to help you? If not, right away make a list of every single person who offered to help. Down the road you may need them. You should have drivers lined up. Radiation kicks your butt and makes most so tired that its difficult to drive. Also with taking heavy duty meds, its not a wise idea to be behind the wheel. Even a trip to the pharmacy or grocery store might be too much for you so get those helpers lined up.

I was alone with 2 teenagers the first time I had OC. It was very very diffiuclt for me to get thru it alone. My children were normal teenagers with their focus on themselves. My son who was 17 drove me to rads everyday. You will need help. Call the American Cancer Society, they can help with rides, medicines, even co-pays. I ended up hospitalized several times for malnutrition/dehydration due to not having a caregiver. I was always self sufficient, never needed anyone's help til I got OC.

Best of luck with everything. Please ask questions, we are here to help get you thru this.


Christine
SCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44
2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07
-65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr
Clear PET 1/08
4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I
surg 4/16/08 clr marg
215 HBO dives
3/09 teeth out, trismus
7/2/09 recur, Stg IV
8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy
3wks medicly inducd coma
2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit
PICC line IV antibx 8 mo
10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg
OC 3x in 3 years
very happy to be alive smile