[quote=David2]John, adding my welcome and support. I know it's scary. But you've got a whole pile of people here who are rooting for you and thinking about you, sending the positive thoughts!

My cancer was a bit different from yours so I'll let those more knowledgeable give you specific advice. But it sounds as though they caught it early and that your medical team is on top of it.

I would say though that having cancer is tough enough without pain and anxiety on top of it. If you're in pain, get painkillers. If you're feeling as though things are getting tough to handle, speak to your oncologist about anti-anxiety and/or depression medication.

And as you have time and energy, look around this site. The main page has links to tons of info. You'll learn all about staging in general and your specific problems.

And keep us posted. And ask us questions!

I'm glad you're alive. You're going to be for a long, long time.

Courage. [/quote]. Thank you so much. That truly touches my heart. I haven't been in that much pain and because I have a weak stomach and don't want to know what it would feel like to vomit with all this going on I avoided taking the pain pills. The morphine made me really naseaus and it took every ounce of self control I had not to vomit.

I do have a few questions. I was advised not to brush my teeth but not for how long. I have a check up on Wednesday so hopefully I can resume it then.
And do you or anyone else know how bad it hurts to have surgical staples removed?