 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 8 | David, welcome to OCF! So glad you have found this site to help guide you with info and support! You are in the right place for assistance.
Sounds to me like time is very important in taking care of this by surgery. The very best chance for treating this successfully would be to go to a CCC immediately. They will have top notch medical professionals who will work with a team based approach. The CCC will have the brightest and best specialists which in turn gives you the very best chance to beat this.
Sure your quality of life will be impacted. Adjusting will take time and effort. But it can be done! So much better to have to learn to adapt to a new way of life than to not be here anymore. Ive had to adapt to major changes too so I understand where yo are coming from. You can get thru this and live a productive life even with handicaps.
Best wishes!!!!
ChristineSCC 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  | 
