I have to be honest here, I didn't get a second opinion nor did I even think about seeing another doctor. Half of this was because I just trusted my doctor from the minute I met him and half because me nor my husband knew any better. We simply did what the doctors told us to do. I was treated at Sentara Norfolk Hospital, it's the teaching hospital for Eastern Virginia Medical School. I had a team of doctors and a tumor board, all that stuff. They all communicated, right from the oral surgeon that diagnosed me to the dentist I see now for my dental care. It's a good feeling to go to all the various doctors and they all know each other.
There have been a few times that I wondered if I should have researched it more BEFORE my surgery and radiation, but in my heart I know I received the proper treatment.
The two weeks leading up to my surgery I didn't want to know a thing about it all, I just wanted to pretend it wasn't happening. Then I went into treatment and until I was done with treatment on July 10th of 2003, I didn't have the slightest fear. Then I started looking on the web and got a newsletter from SPHONC that scared the CRAP out of me. Until that time I had not realized just how serious my cancer was. I slid into quite a depression then I found this website.
So, any positive reports on strides being made for this cancer are worth reading.
Take care,
Minnie

SCC Left Mandible. Jaw replaced with bone from leg. Neck disection, 37 radiation treatments. Recurrence 8-28-07, stage 2, tongue. One third of tongue removed 10-4-07. 5-23-08 chemo started for tumor behind swallowing passage, Our good friend and much loved OCF member Minnie has been lost to the disease (RIP 10-29-08). We will all miss her greatly.