I've posted this in the past, I hope it helps.

Based on my experience having had two operations for oral cancer since 2003, I would like to suggest some thoughts for newcomers.

1) Since oral cancer hits only about 1% of the population, seek professional care from a medical center that specializes in cancer and has oral cancer specialists on staff (CCC)

2) Don’t be afraid to travel extra hours to such a center-your disease can be life threatening.

3) Follow-on care may be done at a location closer to your home that the cancer center works with.

4) Don’t wait to get help, and don’t second guess expert opinion but do get a second professional opinion if concerned.

In some cases where they take lymph nodes expect that they will do an RND, (radical neck dissection). Be prepared for a scar across your neck.

If your cancer was not caused by HPV, I've learned that drinking alcohol can cause the cancer to come back.

My guess is that things will look a lot better in a few months.