Christopher, welcome. I'm sorry you have to join us, but you have found one of the greatest resources you will fin during your journey.

I think you're fortunate if you can get by with just surgery. For me, that was the easy part. Radiation was tougher physically, and for much longer.

Pain is a relative thing. While every bit of this journey was painful for extended periods of time, pain management has come a VERY long way. You will not and should not be in pain at any point. If you are, talk to your Doctor. For many in the cancer field, that is a driving and primary foundation of treatment; the patient should not suffer pain.

You're correct re: the running pathology via frozen sections. That saves a second surgical incursion, and allows the Doctor to identify clear margins while in there the first ( and hopfully only) time

Much luck, and stay with us here. If you have questions, ask. If you're afraid, talk to us. We've all walked in your shoes, and we're all here to help
Wayne