Hi JJ,

As the others have already said welcome to us. We're an odd assortment of people with alot in common. We all want to know as much as we can find out, we've had to deal with the diagnosis and all that stuff that goes with it, but most of all we all are determined to live our lives.

I would encourage you to keep this attitude that you have. I'm convinced that one of the reasons I'm doing as well as I am is that I'm a stubborn Sicilian who loves to laugh. Many of my parishioners have commented about the attitude I have and how its helping not only me but them.

One of the hardest things I had to do was tell mom about the diagnosis. After that I wanted the people of my parish to hear it right from the horses mouth. Five times I stood in front of about 300 people each time to tell them. Mom doesn't know how or why I would do it but I had everyone laughing.

Keep a positive attitude. Don't be afraid to allow those who will support you the most know what youa re feeling. And make the decission that we have: even though the fight may take sometime and it will be rough at time, do what you need to in order to win it.

Know that you are in my prayers.

Peace,

Fr. Mike

Dear JJ, I was terrified when I was told I had SCC on my tongue 05/10/02, in fact I almost passed out in the office. I was 44, smoked on and off from about 18 - 28 years of age. How could this be? I thought it was a broken tooth rubbing into my tongue.
Anyway, I was hospitalized two weeks later, had about 50% of my tongue removed (large tumor, stage II), reconstruction with flap from forearm, radical neck dissection (of the 30 lymph nodes removed, two tested positive for cancer), then had the radiation for 7 weeks. It was not an easy trip, but with my faith in God and the help of my family (married, 17 year old twins) and very caring physicians, I made it. I still get checked every 8 weeks by the surgeon and radiologist. I try to stay very positive and keep praying!!!!!!!!!!!Keep looking up!!!!!!!!Phil. 4:13 In Christian Love, Carol
Carol

Dear JJ, I was terrified when I was told I had SCC on my tongue 05/10/02, in fact I almost passed out in the office. I was 44, smoked on and off from about 18 - 28 years of age. How could this be? I thought it was a broken tooth rubbing into my tongue.
Anyway, I was hospitalized two weeks later, had about 50% of my tongue removed (large tumor, stage II), reconstruction with flap from forearm, radical neck dissection (of the 30 lymph nodes removed, two tested positive for cancer), then had the radiation for 7 weeks. It was not an easy trip, but with my faith in God and the help of my family (married, 17 year old twins) and very caring physicians, I made it. I still get checked every 8 weeks by the surgeon and radiologist. I try to stay very positive and keep praying!!!!!!!!!!!Keep looking up!!!!!!!!Phil. 4:13 In Christian Love, Carol
Carol

Welcome JJ, sorry to hear you had to find us out. Everyone has said it so far, this is a great site for information and support. My prayers are with you. You'll find that you are much stronger than you ever thought you could be. Hard way to discover these things. God's grace and mercy be with you.