Welcome to OCF! Glad you have found our site to help get you thru everything that you are facing. We will help with info and support.

I would suggest going to a comprehensive cancer center (CCC) before making a final decision on what your course of treatment will be. Its a big difference between a CCC and the average hospital in how they will handle your treatment. At a CCC, they use a team approach and get all the specialists together to discuss your individual case. Everyone is on the same page and you will get the countries top doctors who are more experienced with oral cancer. This can be very important when discussing having the kind of surgery you are looking at having. You do NOT want someone who isnt well versed with oral cancer to be your surgeon. If they dont get wide margins then you could end up with all kinds of bigger issues down the road.

As far as eating goes.... eat NOW. Bulk up, dont worry about gaining a few pounds. If you love a big turkey dinner, Thanksgiving is just around the corner, live it up!

Prior to any treatment, you should have a hearing test, a full blood count with both thyroid and testosterone levels. Go see your dentist for a good check up. If you have any teeth that arent in the best shape, have them taken care of now. If you will be getting radiation, you will need flouride trays made so it wouldnt be a bad idea to get the ball rolling on that too while you are there.

Your treatment will probably be a surgery and 6 weeks later radiation with or without chemo. You could be in for a long road before you are cancer free again. It wont be easy but you will get past this. Might be a good idea to line up some helpers for when you arent feeling the best. Also its always a good idea to take someone along with you to the doctor appointments. Too often we get some bad news and our ears stop working.

Best wishes with everything!