Marlene, I am in your same age group also..had my SCC on the upper jaw....did not go to a comprehensive center but wished I had. My advice....call the CCC tomorrow and get the appointment process begun....You can complete the testing that you have begun, but the CCC will want to see all tests and results, and they might do more. With this scary stuff, you need to know that you have gone "to the top of the mountain" to get the very best, most knowledgeable treatment and the best support and guidance system available. I was lucky (so far) and feel that this stuff is "out of my body," but there have been many times when I wished I had gone to the CCC, if only for my peace of mind. That peace of mind is worth a fortune. Don't deny yourself that knowledge.

You will take this one step at a time, and you WILL get through it. It is simply NOT how you pictured spending the next year of your life, but I can tell that you are spunky and smart, and after you get a plan, you will be like a bulldog fighting this beast tooth and nail!!

We're here, and you were fortunate to find this great site. Get some more information....and I hope that you'll take the advice to go to a CCC for a second opinion and a suggested treatment plan.