Christy and Grandma, Welcome to the site. Sorry you have to be here, but hopefully we can help you with this nasty disease. Just to reinforce the information you already have, I first noticed a lump in my neck in late July, 2003. Various tests later and I was finally diagnosed mid-October, 2003. Treatments started January, 2004, as I had to have two teeth removed and healing accomplished before treatments started. So, about 6 months from when I first noticed the tumor and 2.5 months from diagnosis. Interestingly, my rad doctor guessed I had the disease for 18 to 24 months prior to treatment starting. My surgeon said 6 - 9 months to live if I didn't treat it. So I treated it and here I am.

I sure hope your grandma gets all the treatments she needs, but don't be too concerned if it takes a little time as the cancer treatments can't start until the doctors know what the situation is and develop an individual plan to treat it. With your grandma's age, they sure don't want to do anything they don't have to do. Will pray for you both to come through with flying colors.