A week and a half is nothing when it comes to waiting for treatments to begin. Your team of doctors know what they are doing when they developed your treatment plan. They have years of schooling and have treated hundreds in similar situations. If you are still uncomfortable and second guessing the treatment plan, you can always get a second opinion at another CCC. The only known cures for oral cancer are surgery and radiation with or without chemo. There isnt one of us who wanted to go thru the treatments but look at the thousands of members who are here to help you along, we got thru it

As a single mother, I am going to tell you like it is. You need to prepare for the fight of your life! Keeping secrets should not even enter your thoughts. You WILL need help! The sooner you accept this, the easier it will be. Now is not the time to be proud. Start talking to friends and relatives, explain you are sick, have cancer (dont need to get into the HPV thing) and will be going thru some brutal treatments where you may not be able to drive, take care of yourself let alone your son. When people offer their assistance, write down every single person and their contact info. Get a biz card from every doctor you see and keep them together in case one of your relatives needs to call the doc for you.

Call the American Cancer Society and ask for help. They are available 24/7 so call them now. Tell them you will need a volunteer driver. Get moving on this right away. You probably will lose your ability to drive during treatments. I made it thru the only first week before I gave it up. This process takes a little while so get moving. They will also give you up to $300 in assistance towards either prescription meds or your transportation costs. Talk to your treatment center and ask about visiting home health aides/nurses. Ask at your church or any groups you are involved with for help. You must speak up and tell people you need help. I always say if you dont ask, you dont get.... this is a very good example of that saying. Speak up and ask for help and you will get it. You really could sail right thru not needing much from anyone or you could hit a brick wall in week one. Your intake plays a big part in how well you do with the treatments.

You need to focus on your intake. Thats what you have control over, anything else put it aside until you are well. From the moment you wake up until the moment you go to sleep, your main priority must be what you take in. This is what will make or break you. Every single day force yourself to take in a minimum of 2500 calories and 48 oz of water...... even 3500 calories and 64 oz of water every single day is not too much...starting today!!!! During your treatments, this could become difficult, your sense of taste will be off and swallowing may become hard to do. Your sense of taste will change and food wont taste like it should but you must force yourself anyway...if not for you, for your son. Too often patients will skimp thinking its ok for just one day but that "just one day" will quickly become a habit and skimping will become your daily routine. Its NOT ok!!!! You have to hit your minimums or you will suffer.

Best wishes!