Hi Jim,

If you are looking for hope for a loved one with a stage IV oral cancer, you have found the right place. You will find information and support here. And, you will get to know people who have survived and thrived oral cancer, some of them surviving more than one occurrence.

When my ex-husband was diagnosed with stage IVa oral cancer, he was given more than an 80% chance of survival from more than one doctor. Actually, his MO was fully confident that he had an 80% chance for a cure. Until we got all the results, we were thinking it would be 30%. Still, that was about a one in three chance. We felt that being prepared mentally and physically would go a long way in becoming the "one."

His RO was pretty blunt about the side-effects he'd experience. Yes, it is a hellacious treatment to endure. But, it is doable.

It is important to have an RO who can bolster your cousin's will to survive rather than tear it down. It is disturbing that his RO would be so negative. He deserves the best chance at successful treatment and attitude is a big part of it. It is well within your cousin's rights to request a different RO who can be supportive through his treatment. This may be the most important thing your cousin ever does for his health. It needs to be right.

I'm sorry that I can't help you by sharing how treatment went for my ex-husband. My signature pretty much sums up the reason.
Best wishes to you and your cousin. He's lucky to have your support.