He was diagnosed stage 4. The tumor is 4.5 cm and has gone into his jaw bone. It has also attached to his tongue> The surgeon said that he had to have his jaw, floor of mouth and most of his tongue removed, followed by chemo and rad to have any chance of survival. He won't do that, but the chemo doc disagreed (they work as a team at Dana-Farber and examine together). He said the he believes that with seven weeks of radiation and cisplatin, he has a 50% chance of cure.

All of this depends on if the cancer has not metastasized. If it has spread anywhere below the collarbone or into his brain, they will not treat and only offer palliative care. I got him to go back yesterday and do bloods, PET scan and CAT scan. I am encouraging him to be brave - one foot in front of the other. I believe that given the chance, he will muster the courage to do the chemo/rad route. The surgery at this point may be too much.

I have gotten him better meds and he is being fully cared for at DF.

We go back next week for the results of the scans. God willing, it hasnt spread and he can try the chemo.