Hello everyone! My name is Starr and i’m 24 years old and a cosmetology student. In December of 2024 I had sore that started growing on my tongue that I thought would go away on its own. I went to several appointments with several doctors over the last few months to try and figure out what has been wrong with my mouth. Last week an ENT doctor biopsied my tongue and the results came back the next day and I was diagnosed with Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the tongue and perineural invasion (meaning the cancer is also spreading to the nerves of my tongue). Because of this recent diagnosis my entire life has changed basically in the past week. I had to step away from chasing my dreams of being a hairstylist to focus on beating cancer and also so i would not lose my financial aid. My surgery to remove the tumor in my mouth and the lymph nodes in the left side of my neck is scheduled for April 28th. I am disability for other health issues I have so I do not make a lot of money. I’m reaching out for financial help to make sure I have the things I need for recovery and comfort during this time like coloring books, comfortable clothes to wear during radiation, a neck pillow as i will have a tube coming out of my neck, soft and liquid foods because i won’t be able to eat normally for awhile after surgery. UPDATE: I need more funding because my hospital because my stay has been extended due to struggling to heal and i will have to wear a feeding tube and suction home because i cannot swallow but it is not covered by insurance because it’s too  short term in their eyes. i need to be able to have nutrition and suction so i don’t starve or choke while im healing at home once im able to leave the hospital.