Erica,
You mentioned your M-I-L is being treated at UPenn (University of Pennsylvania Medical Center in Philadelphia Pennsylvania). If correct this a NIH designated CCC, so you might want to ask to speak with and discuss you concerns with the Director of the Cancer Center's Head and Neck department.

The problem at Penn is the doc I think her MIL is seeing is the head hancho...director of this...Chair of that...there isn't anyone in this area who doesn't know him. I even went to Sloan Kettering for a 3rd opinion and the doc there saw I went to Penn and asked me about it. I told him I didn't like the doc and he knew who I saw....that has happened with several people. He is supposed to be an amazing surgeon but I had 3 partial glossectomies with him and always had pain. I finally went to Fox Chase and I've never felt better...I guess I'm a little bitter about Penn.

Hi Ray I live north on Canyon Lake. Are there any head/neck support groups or counselors that you can refer me too. Facing total tongue and larynx removal.
Art