Wendy, boy am I glad you have joined our group!!!! I would definitely advise you to go for second opinion. Only this one doctor's eye and knowledge puts a limit on how you will be treated. From what you replied with I know you are NOT being treated at a CCC or your case would have first gone in front of a tumor board with all the experts weighing in on your treatment plan. Thats the reason for the rush. Ive seen this with other patients where they're rushed right into surgery before they have time to even process whats going on, they get told they dont need a second opinion. Do you have another appointment with this doctor coming up? A treatment plan should not be determined until all the tests are completed and reviewed. I have one simple question that will tell you everything you need to know about this doctor. Ask him if you should get a second opinion and if he thinks you should go to a CCC. If he says its not necessary then you know he is NOT looking out for your best interests. You can also ask if the doctor is affiliated with a CCC. Any reputable doctor will have no problem with their patient seeking a second opinion, they will encourage it to make sure their patient gets the very best medical care. I hope you were given copies of the biopsy results and any other office notes on file, they can be given to another doctor to review. Just remember.... surgeons cut and will always advise a patient to have surgery. Once its been removed, it can never be fully restored to exactly its original function and it can never be put back. Another thing... a neck dissection is NOT a replacement for radiation treatments. You may only have on shot at getting the cancer eliminated so you want to make certain you have the very best medical team you can get in your corner.

PLEASE review the links Ive sent you to help you find a second opinion location. Make those phone calls and get the ball rolling for an appointment. You will want to find an ENT who specializes in treating oral cancer patients and not the type of ENT who mainly puts tubes in kids ears. In those links I posted theres info describing the flow of things from when a patient is first diagnosed thru treatment and recovery. Theres even info about financial assistance to help cover costs if you would choose to travel to get treated.

When people first learn of your illness they will give you all sorts of advice they learned from their "Great Aunt Sally" who had xyz cancer in 1975 and got thru it just fine because they would rub cinnamon sticks on their feet. Yes, that was meant to be funny But seriously, the false cures will come out like crazy or you should do this or that all because they "heard" some third hand tidbit and it will help you. Friends and relatives will behave differently, some become your new BFF while others who had always been very close to you will run for the hills. Some people simply can not mentally handle someone they know and love being sick. Im telling you this so you are careful to just say "ok, thank you for the info" and not follow it and also take anything from "Dr Google" with a grain of salt. This kind of thing can be harmful or interfere with your treatments.

If you would like to talk about anything Ive posted, please feel free to give me a call. I talk to OC patients from all over the world on a regular basis. Over the years Ive been here Ive picked up quite alot of info and tips. I'll PM you my info so watch for the tiny flashing envelope next to your My Stuff tab.