I like that your friend is helping you. Some people really rise to the occasion when a friend has cancer. I've found that to be the case a number of times. Just when I'm wondering how I'm going to cope, someone offers to do something heroic!

Gilda's Club sounds helpful. You are setting yourself up well before treatment. Now make sure you eat well in case your surgery hinders your eating for a while.

Best wishes:)

1996, ovarian cancer surgery + cisplatin and taxol.
September, 2007, SCC of left lateral tongue. Excision.
October, 2009 recurrence in scar tissue, T1NOMO. Free flap surgery from left wrist - neck dissection. 63 year old New Zealander. No chemo, no RT.
February, 2014. New primary in left buccal mucosa. Marginal mandibulectomy, neck dissection, right arm free forearm flap. T1N0M0 but third occurrence and some areas of concern: RT started 8 April and finished 19 May.