George,
I am so sorry that you and your family have gone through this. I wish it had turned out differently. However, I too must stress that pain does not necessarily mean it has gone too far, lest this discourage someone who also has had pain. I too had a good deal of pain with my SCC in the month before I ever saw a doctor, much less started treatment. Foolish me, I figured what it was and wanted my family to get through the holidays before "finding out". It turned out to be stage II, no metastasis and not in the lymph nodes. Although we are all "under surveillance" my doctor believes it is gone now. So take hope, any of you who felt pain with this thing. Again, George, I am so sorry....may you find peace and comfort.