Jenn, from what I have heard, a tonsillectomy is not nearly as routine in adults as it is in children. The pain is worse than anything else I went through (the exception is the last two weeks of radiation therapy) and I only had one removed. Soft nodes usually means less likely to be cancer.

I really hate to make suggestions that alter diagnosis and treatment plans (because I hate being wrong among other reasons) but I really think you might get that second opinion at a major cancer center before you have this surgery. At the very least make some phone calls. A few more days shouldn't hurt if you have to postpone the tonsillectomy.

Mark, 21 Year survivor, SCC right tonsil, 3 nodes positive, one with extra-capsular spread. I never asked what stage (would have scared me anyway) Right side tonsillectomy, radical neck dissection right side, maximum radiation to both sides, no chemo, no PEG, age 40 when diagnosed.