QueenKong, I'm in New Zealand but I don't think we do things all that differently here. When I was diagnosed with my third oral cancer, I just knew I needed psychological help. The specialist nurse at the hospital anticipated this and referred me to the Cancer Society which has visiting nurses to call on people in their homes. She came after surgery and before and during radiation and then a couple of times afterwards. She in turn referred me to a cancer psychologist in the city, also employed by the Cancer Society. I didn't need the nurse for long and all she did was talk to me but it helped me a lot to have someone to converse with who had seen a lot of people go through a similar process.

I can't explain exactly how the counselling by the psychologist helped but it was immensely helpful. We talked about relaxation and mindfulness exercises (most of which I've stopped doing). I suppose our responses to fear and pain are connected to other issues we have in our lives so talking to a trained person helps to tease out all the fears.

Hmmm, I didn't have chemo (have had it in the past) and I didn't find the radiation all that bad. I took every drug going to deal with the nausea, constipation and pain. Losing the sense of taste is horrible but funnily enough food becomes so uninteresting that you wonder why you ever wanted it so badly before. You don't really miss it. I was scared of losing too much weight and having to be hospitalized so kept up my intake using sheer will power. Now I love to eat again!!!

Staff at the oncology unit will take good care of you through the process. My RO said it was harsh treatment but they got people through it. They are with you every step of the way:)