How does one introduce oneself to a group of people under these circumstances?
It is my husband who has just been diagnosed with cancer, he gets a PET scan on Monday followed by appointments with medical and radiation oncologists on Tuesday and Thursday.
We are both in shock he thought his allergies were acting up.
He has been told he has cancer of base of tongue, right tonsil and right lymph node in throat.
No surgery is being discussed just the chemo and radiation. Is this a good thing or a bad thing?
We are completely out of our depth and don’t know what to do.
I found this forum by accident but hoping for some knowledge to help us navigate this horrendous journey.

Been there done that. It tends to be quiet here on the weekends so I thought i would chime in as a care giver. first, hugs to you. it's a long haul but it's doable. My husband was diagnosed about 15 months ago. He finished all treatment Oct 4th 2018. You would not know he had cancer. he had the same cancer as your husband diagnosed at stage 4a. it was horrible for quite awhile. I'm not going to lie to you....but there is light at the end of the tunnel.

Surgery is a last option in my neck of the woods. They do the radiation and chemo first. Surgery if that didn't work. I know other areas do it differently. Not sure which is better or if the results are the same.

Do add a signature so people have an idea of age, diagnosis, etc so they can relate to you better.

Hugs again....it's a journey but many will carry you along on here.

Thanks for the reply Connie, and I will remember to add the signature.
So happy to think there could be light at the end of the tunnel, right now we can’t even see the tunnel.
My husband is 76 I’m 68, he quit smoking in the early 80’s and doesn’t drink except for an occasional beer when we BBQ. We’ve been married foe 49 years in November and life without him is unimaginable.
We all know we’re not getting out alive but this is just too scary, having to watch your loved one suffer.

I’m sorry you have a reason to join the forum. We are s group of patients and caregivers who have been on the oral cancer journey. We share what we have learned from our experience and try to help anyone who is just starting on the journey.

From what you’ve said, I believe the cancer is diagnosed in the base of tongue which is down in the throat. At one time, this was referred to as throat cancer. This may be the reason why surgery wasn’t mentioned as the area is hard to reach. Right now, before treatment starts, your husband may want to eat all of his favorite foods. When treatment starts, what with mouth sours and taste changes, it may be a while before he can eat the food he likes.

Is your husband treated at a comprehensive cancer center where they have a lot of experience dealing with oral cancer? If you have questions for the doctors, write them down and make sure you ask them at the next visit. They are the ones who have the answers for the medical stuff.

If you have questions about caregiving or even if you just want to vent, do post them here. There are lots of people on the forum who are ready to help with suggestions.