Wow! That was very fast... very, VERY fast!!! I have a bunch of questions that I hope you wont mind me asking....
Were the results back from the first CT scan?
What did the doc say about it?
Did you mention to your daughters doctor anything about getting a second opinion? If so, what did they say?
Was any staging done after the CT scan?
What other doctors/specialists has your daughter been to?
What treatment plan was created/or was she given one?
Where exactly is the tumor?
Have you or your daughter noticed any changes in her tumor?
What was said about any additional treatments?
Will your daughters surgeon oversee additional treatments as well?
I dont want to alarm you but I feel I must be completely honest. When I think of your daughters Im a bit concerned the surgery was scheduled for only a couple days in advance. Ive had so many surgeries, more than I can count and it normally takes at least a week or 2 for the operating room to be booked after the medical insurance is checked. Ive also watched hundreds go thru this initial diagnosis/treatment situation similar to what your daughter is currently going thru.
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 can easily obtain copies of the biopsy results and any other office notes on file. Thats an important part of having another qualified doctor review your case. IAfter everything Ive seen happen with oral cancer patients, Im always leery of any doctor who rushes the patient into surgery without giving them time to get another opinion. It sounds like you have already scheduled your surgery. 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 whats removed can never be put back. Of course with cancer, patients will want to have it removed as quickly as possible. For every situation, immediate surgery isnt always necessary.
I dont know if this is something that you will need or even consider, but Im including it just in case. If you end up traveling for another opinion or treatment, there are free or very inexpensive ($10/night) places to stay near most of the CCCs. Hope lodge is one of the most common ones. There are even airlines that provide free seats for cancer patients who are traveling for their health. I dont know about availability but Id suspect these things would be in great demand. The link is below for the financial aid section of the main OCF site.
Main OCF Site... Understanding sectionMain OCF Website... Financial Assistance including Air travel/Lodging
