Amy,

My name is Megan,I'm a 20 year old college stundent. My Mom is Minnie, she posts alot on this site. I have been reading the posts on the site for a few months but never really thought I should post because no matter how hard you try you and I have no idea what any of these people are going through...but I do know what you are going through.

My Mom had stage 4 SCC in her lower left jaw. She got diagnosed on April 1st 2003 and had her surgery on April 16th, My birthday of all days. They replaced her jaw with a bone from her leg. She had a neck disection and they removed some lymphnodes, then she went through radiation.

I thought the same way you did before cancer became a part of our family, that it could never happen to us. The anger I have felt over the past 17 months is overwhelming. I couldn't understand why this happened to her. She has so much to live for and so many people that need her. I have six sisters and we were all really close to my Mom before cancer and are even closer after. It really makes you appreciate life. I know I have a different outlook on the things that are important.

I think you really need to try to talk to your Mom about all your feelings and tell your Dad to log on here and talk to everyone. It was SO great for my Mom to talk to people that were going through the same thing she is and she has made some good friends. My Mom is still cancer free 17 months after her surgery. Her doctors are awesome and she has a really good spirit which I agree is REALLY important. I know that she is always going to be fearful about the cancer returning and its something we talk about alot, but she always says that IF it does come back then we will deal with it just like we did the first time. I have to say I don't know how well I would deal with everything if I was her. I sometimes think that the fact that she can't really eat potato chips bugs me way more then it bugs her. haha.

I hope your Dad will be alright. I am going to put in a prayer request for him and you at our church. Feel free to email me anytime. [email protected]. You'll be in my thoughts.

-Megan