Smitty,

1. Don't miss any appointments and do everything your doctors say, especially with the pain meds. USE THE PAIN MEDS.

2. If you have a PEG, make sure to drink water all day, sip it constantly to keep your swallowing function in shape.

3. Don't try to be brave and tough, when you're tired take a nap. When you're sad, cry. Express your emotions.

4. Do NOT sit in the house! Take a walk EVERY day, no matter how poorly you may feel.

5. Put a calender on the refrigerator, cross off each day when you come home from treatment, and take one day at a time. It will pass quickly.

SCC Left Mandible. Jaw replaced with bone from leg. Neck disection, 37 radiation treatments. Recurrence 8-28-07, stage 2, tongue. One third of tongue removed 10-4-07. 5-23-08 chemo started for tumor behind swallowing passage, Our good friend and much loved OCF member Minnie has been lost to the disease (RIP 10-29-08). We will all miss her greatly.