Hello Kate,
I'm now recovering from treatment after a diagnosis of scc of the tongue in November of last year. I am now 37 and also felt healthy and was deeply shocked to find I wasn't. My tumour was large and had in my case begun to spread into the lymph.
I won't pretend that it has been easy or that, as a family, myself, my husband and our daughter haven't faced some difficult times over the last few months, but I can say that the surgery and subsequent treatments were 'do-able'. Now I am feeling great and the light I wasn't sure I could see back in the dark days of winter is most definitely shining every single day (despite the worst summer weather we have ever had here in the UK!)
So many people, family, friends and here helped me to face things, to answer questions, to stay positive (this latter one seemed so difficult for the first few days, but I worked hard to turn that around and I really feel it helps so much). People will advise you of many things and sometimes you'll feel unsure about their advice, so I suppose I would say, go with what you feel, but make informed choices:) Oops, advice again! - The advice from Amy about writing things down is excellent though, I had to get my husband to repeat so much to me after those first appointments, as my mind was whirling.
Wishing you the smoothest of paths back to full health.
Georgia