Hi Gail!!! Welcome to OCF. Im sorry you have gotten this bad news. Dont worry, you have come to the right place to get help. The most important thing you can do is to get yourself seen at a cancer center. I will include links to the top cancer centers and to the best US hospitals.

Im sure you are upset by the diagnosis. By going to the top doctors, you will ensure that you have a better chance at beating this. Over the next couple weeks you will learn a whole new vocabulary full of medical jargon. If you dont understand something someone has written to you, ask for an explanation. When you go to the doctor appointments, take along a friend or relative as a second set of ears. Write down your questions, even ask the doc if you can tape the session so you can go back and replay it later. Here is another link full of tips. Read and absorb everything on this wonderful website. Make sure you understand from the beginning... we are all different and will respond in our very own unique way to medications and procedures. Just because something works for one person doesnt mean its ok for you. Always check with your doc before implementing anything new.

http://oralcancersupport.org/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=65994#Post65994
http://www.oralcancerfoundation.org/resources/cancer_centers.htm
http://health.usnews.com/best-hospitals


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