I really want to thank you all for the responses thus far. When I read all of them last night, they touched me deeply. It's good knowing there are people out there that do care and do know what it's like. Thank you all again. I need strength and so does my father.

Some notes about our situation.. my father lives in VA by himself. His family is in Massachusetts. When we visited in Mass, he was given plenty of places to stay and plenty of help up there. But, he wanted to get the scan done in VA and see how bad things are before he made a drastic move up north. His family is more than willing to help up there. So, I took time off from school to get him through this process and to help him by providing research, answers, support and to maybe help him move back up North.

Our first appointment is Tuesday, November 13th. His bioposy has already been done and everything. His dentist discovered the cancer and another dentist did the bioposy. Now, thanks to help from Leslie B (she's around this board! :-) ), we have a place that would take him. I have also been in touch with the VA social services and what not.. they're weird about medicaid but none the less, the application process is beginning. Thank you for everyone providing help in that area as well.

I really do appreciate everyone's support and advice. Like I said above, I am new to all of this... so knowing there's people out there to help and provie support, helps. Thank you all so very much.

I also informed my father of this bulletin board and he really needs support.. so don't be surprised if he gets involved. I'm hoping he will. But, we shall soon see.

AS for the smoking...well... maybe the doctor can twist his arm and provide options to help him quit.

Thank you again everyone. My heart has been touched by the care you have shown.