DavidD, You sure have been through a lot already - and considering what you and many other people here have been through - you have every right to say what you want and let it all out! I agree with you that it's aggravating and disappointing that there isn't more being done in research to treat oral cancers. It seems to me that there are many other cancers that are brought into the limelight, and the general public is kept apprised of new developments in treatment - which is all well and good - but oral cancer is still an "unknown" to many people, and even sadder is the fact that there are people who ARE aware of this kind of cancer - yet choose to continue with certain dangerous lifestyles, increasing their risk of developing this disease. I realize not everyone who has a form of oral cancer was a smoker or a drinker - some folks never touched a cig in their lives - but it ticks me off to no end, to know some people have that "It could never happen to me" attitude. Yes, my husband was a heavy smoker - but he quit in 1997, and we were both a bit misguided in our thinking that once you quit, any damage done can be reverted. Anyways - I know I'm getting off on a tangent - sorry about that! But I also sense you are a fighter - and you will come through this surgery with that same determined spirit you had when you first started your battle 8 years ago, or so. My thoughts are with you and good luck on the surgery and the recovery ahead.