Dragon, your story brought me to tears, esp. because I know a few people like your gentle Mom who would just bear the hurtful words. I think Karen is right - the Dr. needs to give his employees some decent, humane "bedside manners".

Husband: 3 SCC gum and cheek cancers 2002, 2005, 2006: surgery only. Scans clear after removal of small, well differentiated, non-invasive cancers. No radiation. 4th SCC lip diagnosed 4/13/07 - in situ, removed in biopsy. More lip removed 2/8/08 - dysplasia. 2 Biopsies 3/17/09 no cancer (lichenoids)