Debbie,

You are right...statistics don't apply to a case of one, for the good and the bad. There have been examples of stage 1 SCC (90% 5year)patients here that have died a year after being diagnosed.

"I have been referred to a local doctor and I am told I will be put in with all his other new patients and taken as he feels
necessary. I have been told it may be weeks before I can see him for even a consult."

This is the information you provided dear...to me if I was told this I would immediately look for care elsewhere. MD Anderson is a wonderful program, the Houston facility is well regarded and top rated. You can wait around and see if you are one of the "special" few this obviously overworked Dr picks to work with and see how that works out for you.

I didn't say you were being casual...but the information you gave showed examples of your medical professional being that way and the MD Anderson response is at best dissappointing. I doubt you would get the same response from a Cancer Care Center or from the sounds of things Moffit.

I also depended on my looks and speaking abilities for my profession and even being treated at one of the top programs in the US for cancer (6th) and otolaryngology (12th) I ended up disfigured and severely affected speech, unable to return to my work. My point was Debbie, you want a team as passionate about YOUR cancer as you are and your initial information painted a different picture.