I am 86 years old and have just been diagnosed with buccal gingiva invasive SCC. Two years I had this same area lasered and told it was pre-cancerous. They want to remove a section of my upper jaw with five teeth and make a dental obdurator.
I am not interested in living forever so I am wondering whether or not to do anything. I so enjoying singing in 3 groups and the possible loss of that enjoyment would be a great blow to me. I won't be able to take care of myself forever and, in my experience as an RN,it will be difficult to get good care if I can't do it myself.

Am I wiser to let it eat me or try and eat it?
What is it like to wear an obdurator?
Have you heard of anyone at my age undergoing treatment?
The doctors act like of course I'm going to have the surgery.
They are not proposing any radiation or chemo at this time.