Hi Tom,

Thanks for following up.....I'm quite touched that you have been checking on us - you are a very thoughtful man.

Dad started his Tx on Monday. We got his results from his CT & chest xray. We are very optimistic - no nodal involvement, nothing on the chest xray etc. In fact, the tumor (retromolar - behind wisdom teeth) didn't even show up on the CT. His Ro explained that the tumor is just on the "surface" of his skin - no "icebergs" as he called it. His Tx will remain @ 25 x IMRT. We have accomplished alot this week, Dad's booked into the "lodge" near his hospital. He's only a 10 min. drive instead of the dreadful 3-4 commute from our home. Mom & I will visit him midweek and of course he'll come home on weekend. We have a plan now and it feels good. Dad's spirits are up and he is coping pretty well - made lots of friends in the lodge. I think about him and Mom every hour, they aren't used to being apart or alone (I live another hour away from their place). But we are coping even though we are apart. Mom will hopefully be able to stay in the lodge with him when he needs her with him - maybe after his second week. It's really expensive for her to stay, $60/night - but it's the least of our worries. We will act when the time comes and she knows that I can offer her all the support, financial & otherwise as needed.

Dad's RO said his cancer is 80-90% curable - very good news. We know it's going to be tough, but I am so happy this was caught so early. I have some questions about his treatment, so I'll start a new thread under the "treatment" category. Thanks again for checking in Tom.....you're a kind soul, you put a smile on my face just knowing how much this OCF family cares.