Thanks for such a quick reponse. I am only 31 and have two small children. I am so scared as I have seen my grandmother go through cancer and lose her life to it this passed year. I never thought I would happen to me. Now it has and I just don't know how to cope. I do not even know how to talk to my kids about all this. All they know is mommy has a sore in her mouth that had to be removed. It will be awhile before she can talk clearly again. Another question, how long should I take off work? I plan on going back tomorrow because i am out of sick days, but talking too much is very painful. I am trying to hold it together for my kids and my husband since he is so busy too. I am pretending that I am handling all this just fine, but I just can not get the knot out of my stomach. You know?