Hello Carol,

What type of surgery are they suggesting for you?
Is there a chance this procedure can cure you?
Normally they don't talk about pallative care until all options have been tried without success.
I have a reoccurance and am receiving pallative care in the form of chemo. Already had 15 hour surgery followed by 33 IMRT radiation treatments.
(my Max) I am receiving chemo in the form of Taxol & Carboplatin. After two, three week rounds of chemo the follow up MRI showed a noticeable drcrease in the tumor. I made the diffucult drcision to continue this treatment.I plan on being around a long time.
We get down at times but I always get back up after a few days and say "Why Can't I be the one who survives this" I think I can!!!
One thing i've learned is the medical profession as it applies to ORAL Cancer is far from perfect, More like trial and error.
You can read about people with the same symptoms
that end up with completely different treatment.

It's aways been suggested on this forum to get to a comprehensive Cancer center with a medical team from different specialties. This is the most informed decision they can offer you.
Another thing said here often is " Throw averything at it the first time" This is one nasty diaease.
As far as being satisfied with my decision to take the pallative care I am happy with my decision. It at least gives me more time with my family, To put all my affairs in order and enjoy every day I have. If I could will this away i most certainley would. Sometimes we don't control what happens to us. This it appears is my case.

Best of luck, Danny Boy