 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | Shaylynn:
Welcome to OCF. You will find lots of support here to help guide you thru this. Many people here have been right where you are and will help you. We do understand its a very scary time for you right now.
You are young to have to go thru this, but its not unheard of. We have another active memeber who is your age and had a young girl who was only 18 here too. All have made it thru their battles. Being young will be to your advantage to fight this.
I know its very early in finding out and probably your head is spinning right now. After your get a PET scan that will determine if the cancer has spread and what Stage you are. From what you worte, it sounds like no treatment plan is set up yet.
My words of advice....EAT. Eat like crazy now, dont worry about gaining weight, just eat everything you want. Some treatments can be pretty rough and can affect your sense of taste for a long time.
Please feel free to ask questions. There is also the main pages of OCF which is full of important info.
ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive  | 
