Cununn21,

You my friend are lucky! Yea that sounds crazy but in the oral cancer world you are. I often tell people that I had the "baby oral cancer" even though I was staged a IV. I know you are scared out of your mind right now but you will be able to handle this and your thoughts will eventually return to the normal crap we humans have to deal with. Now don't get me wrong, the next 2 months or so won't be a walk in park and it will take you up to 2 years to recover as much as you will but with our knowledge and support it will be a lot easier to get thru.

I don't care what your weight is you need to eat all of your favorite foods as often as you like. Pizza for breakfast, done deal! Not sure how many teeth you will have left but discuss with your dentist getting the fluoride trays made. He'll explain. Also in your next blood workup make sure they test your TSH levels and keep that number for possible future use. I'm not a fan of getting the PEG tube but if you must then please do not use it UNLESS YOU ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO. There is an alternative avoiding a surgical procedure, that is meant for short term use and that is a nasal tube. I had to have one for 2 weeks and it worked perfectly. Just saying. Do you have a caregiver?

Welcome to this site. Use it often and encourage your caregiver to join as well.


David

Age 58 at Dx, HPV16+ SCC, Stage IV BOT+2 nodes, non smoker, casual drinker, exercise nut, Cisplatin x 3 & concurrent IMRT x 35,(70 Gy), no surgery, no Peg, Tx at Moffitt over Aug 06. Jun 07, back to riding my bike 100 miles a wk. Now doing 12 Spin classes and 60 outdoor miles per wk. Nov 13 completed Hilly Century ride for Cancer, 104 miles, 1st Place in my age group. Apr 2014 & 15, Spun for 9 straight hrs to raise $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.