Hi Edward, you are on a really great site to get information and support. Take everything in stride, there is a lot of info to take in initially, and you want to make solid decisions, to get things done in the correct order.
Did you get a biopsy report yet? Do you, or did you, have any enlarged lymph nodes in your neck?
The surgeon who you may see next, i would expect, would be an ENT who specializes in head and neck cancer, and in your case, is highly experienced in robotic assisted surgery for lingual tonsillectomies.
I had a lingual tonsillectomy, and the surgery itself was not that bad, but the post op recovery was very similar to the radiation recovery. Not fun, but you can get through it.
But, each case is unique. Some SCC patients can skip surgery, and go for chemo /radiation only. So, the initial biopsy report is very important, and you should see if it's HPV related, or from some other factor such as smoking /drinking together. I think that helps guide the Oncologists decisions.
I highly suggest, getting a notebook, and writing down a log on every phone call, test, Oncologist visit, insurance inquiry, etc.
You will see later on, how handy it will be to have that concise information in one place.
Best wishes, don't be scared, we have great medical care, and you will not be confused soon, it all starts coming together quickly once you talk to a few Oncologists, and they collaborate on your case.