Hey Karen,

Welcome from another 7% group member. I've been told that the social drinking and no tobacco usage actually helps in the battle. (Maybe / maybe not Either way here we are.)

It's a little hard to hear the diagnosis at first but it sounds like your team has caught it early enough to reduce the overall damage to surrounding tissue and organs.

Just as a coincidence July 25th 2014 was my most recent surgery, so we have something in common.

In general you will be getting a great deal of information from your oncologist and others. Get ahead of the curve and do some preliminary research into the anatomy of your head and neck. Just find out how the different system interact and their locations.

Ask questions if you are unsure about what you're being told. Take notes. Keep a log of which doctor you've seen and summarize the conversation / directions.

Since you're a small business owner, you will have to develop a contingency plan for the days you will be recovering from surgery and possibly radiation treatments as well.

You have a few days to get your insurance in order and to try to get a support system together to help you get through

Good Luck - and keep us updated on your progress