JJ, to echo others, you could not have come to a better place. I found the OCF about two days after I found the tumor, and people from here held my hand every single step of the way. My surgery/rad/chemo (aka sharp knives, death rays, and poison) experience would have been much different without the answers to my questions I got from real people here. Caring people, I might add. If your children are upset, send them here. We can answer their questions too. I don't think anyone has mentioned it yet, but do not let yourself or your family get caught up in the statistics that appear here and there about oral cancer. If you want a detailed explanation of why they are not relevant, e-mail me, but know that the only statistic that counts is you. And with your good attitude, you are going to do fine, I can just tell. Let us accompany you on this adventure upon which you are about to embark. When you get tired, we can paddle for you.
Joanna, 2 years past stage IV, feeling like a million bucks and wishing she had it.