Tips For Head & Neck Cancer Patients

Hello and Thank You. As i sit here and try to figure out how i want to write 'My Story' i thought i would give some helpful tips to those who may have just been diagnosed with head & neck cancer or who are going through treatment right now,i think some may be helpful with any type of cancer. I ask you to please be patient, i'm definitely not a writer. 1. Get a second opinion and find out all you can about your cancer, mine was Squamous Cell Carcinoma that started on my left tonsil and metastasis to my Lymph Nodes, it was cause from 'Drinking and Smoking for over 20 years. 2. STOP DRINKING ALCOHOL AND SMOKING 3.Don't put off any appointments or treatments or surgery you may need, getting the cancer out of your body is the top priority. At the time i was diagnosed my cancer had already went to stage 4 in my lymph-nodes so i was in surgery in less than 2 weeks. 4. If your going to have radiation treatment your going to need to make a decision, if you have head and neck cancer the radiation treatment is going to destroy your teeth, so if i were you, have them all pulled, i didn't and now i suffer with severe toothaches and teeth that are breaking off, you can try to save your teeth but it is very unlikely you will. 5. NEVER MISS A TREATMENT OR A APPOINTMENT (i know i said that earlier) 6. As painful as cancer is you must try to get through it with the minimum amount of pain killers, the doc will give you just about anything you want for pain, the downside, Prescription Drug Addiction and speaking from experience i believe this is just as bad if not worse than having cancer, your cancer may go in remission, your addiction will stay with you for many years after.Ive been in remission for about 5 years, a Rx addict for over 6 years with no end in site. 7. Rely on family and friends to help you, physically and mentally, draw strength and hope from a Higher Power. NEVER GIVE UP HOPE, GOD BLESS Please, your donations to this site will be appreciated and needed. I ask you to come back soon and often,your comments, suggestions or question are important, so don't be shy. Thank You and God Bless