Expat living in India when diagnosed for scc tongue cancer

Dealing with the realization that my ulcer was malignant was definitely one of the hardest moments of my life. It was my first year in this new teaching job and I couldn't have picked a more caring group of administrators, colleagues, parents, and students. Immediately after revealing my condition I had a team of caring individuals that began offering help of all forms. I began consulting with doctors in Pune and Mumbai to discovered the best treatment offered for this type of cancer. If you can imagine, with so many patients dealing with very similar diagnosis I experienced the extremes before I finally settled on the Doctor whom I would trust with my life. I decided on SIR Reliance Foundation Hospital (happily surprised that it was a vegetarian hospital).  

Just before my surgery I said to my surgeon, ( with tears streaming down my cheeks, " Please do whatever you have to to make sure this cancer is taken care up once and for good." She squinted her eyes, smiled and leaned close to me while looking through her thick glasses and said, " Joseph, I will take care of you don't worry." I woke up in shock as I slowly realized exactly what had transpired. My Dr. was right by my side holding one hand and she said, " Joseph. I had to do the reconstruction with the free flap as I explained. That's why your arm is in a cast. You did great! Now the important thing is that you listen closely and do everything that I say. ...... " Her instructions and care were exactly what I needed at that moment. 

I have so much to share about my experience(s) and would love to hear from anyone who cares to ask or share a similar one. I will be the first to admit that I cried so much before and aftery surgery. In many ways the crying helped but beware it can complicate the healing as swelling also occurs when we cry.

If you are going through the same cheer up you are not alone.