This totally sucks Carol. If I have to find a bright spot it is that you "keep on keeping on". You get diagnosed, deal with it, and then you move on and continue living your life in an exemplary manner. For some, oral cancer is a chronic disease.

"But why ME" must be going through your head over and over upon finding out you are part of an elite group of 20 - seeing as it is a club you really don't want to be part of. This sucks. No two ways about it - but as Eric said - Christine will be one of the best ones to give you advice on the surgery itself, and more importantly I remember how dismayed, discouraged, and disheartened she was with her last diagnosis and I think THIS is special hand she can lend you right now. She's been there.

Having said that, we are all here for you. You will not walk this path alone. Keep posting and I'm sure others will chime in.

Many hugs

Donna

Donna,69, SCC L Tongue T2N1MO Stg IV 4/04 w/partial gloss;32 radtx; T2N2M0 Stg IV; R tongue-2nd partial gloss w/graft 10/07; 30 radtx/2 cispl 2/08. 3rd Oral Cancer surgery 1/22 - Stage 1. 2022 surgery eliminated swallowing and bottom left jaw. Now a “Tubie for Life”.no food envy - Thank God! Surviving isn't easy!!!! .Proudly Canadian - YES, UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE IS WONDERFUL! (Not perfect but definitely WONDERFUL)