Rosie.........I been away from the board for a few days so I didn't know how well Heather is doing. She gets to come home!? That is wonderful news, Rosie. You're right about searching for new studies, and taking control of the situation at hand. One has to trust their doctors and feel comfortable with them but doctors don't know everything, nor do they have the time to keep abreast of every new treatment coming along. Seems like they should, but they don't.

If I could recommend two things while going through the diagnoses, surgery, and treatment phase, it would to try and be your own best advocate and if you're not up to it, find someone to advocate for you. The other thing I'd recommend is a PEG tube asap. The PEG just makes everything easier; it takes nothing to put one in, and besides, who wants to eat food that taste like cardboard for six months when they don't have to. There are other things to worry about, I certainly wouldn't make food one of them.

Anyway Rosie, it is always good to hear good things about Heather.....and you. Thanks so much for keeping us all up to date. Kudo's to Heather for the hanging in there. Lot's of love in your family, Rosie. Reading your posts gives me a warm feeling inside. Sincerely, Donna


SCC first time 1989, with a diagnoses of 'cancer in situ' removed lesion, no other treatments.
SCC recurrence 1997 of tongue and floor of the mouth. Stage III /IV Hemmiglossectomy (removed over 60% of tongue/ floor of the mouth), free flap, modified neck, RAD and Chemo(cisplatin, 5fu) simutainously.
Cancer free 6, yes, six, years!