Welcome, welcome, welcome!! I was encouraged to start this account to keep friends and family apprised of my journey with oral cancer. As a writer, it will also help me digest and cope with everything that is happening. So here I am, ready to spill.

I've called this Second Time's a Charm because this isn't my first cancer rodeo. About 15 years ago, I was diagnosed with late-stage ovarian cancer. I had surgery to remove my two grapefruit-sized ovarian tumors, along with everything else inside there - uterus, cervix, fallopian tubes, omentum. It was a very difficult time. I had six months of chemotherapy.

This time, I say it's a charm because I hope I don't ever have another bout with cancer. Oral cancer - which completely ate through my jawbone - is something I totally never expected. I don't smoke or chew. And I've read that oral, head and neck cancers make up just 5% of all cancers. Aren't I the lucky one? (please take that question with a full measure of sarcasm).

So, that's my introduction. I plan on filling you in frequently. Thank you for reading!

Kim