Hi Ronnie,

I've become really cautious as a result of my experience. When my mom's cancer was finally diagnosed, we were told it was "superficial". The doc went so far as to say "go on vacation and enjoy your life". Being a bit of a skeptic, I took her to a teaching hospital for another opinion. The upshot was that she really had Stage IV SCC. She asked the new doc if it would be okay to return in a couple of months after her vacation. He strongly urged her to begin treatment as soon as possible. We too had to wait a couple of weeks due to scheduling and preparations, but
they assured me that would be okay. From a treatment outcome standpoint, they kept their word. Admittedly, those were a long two weeks and I kept thinking we should start NOW. Nonetheless, my attitude remains the same: start sooner than later. All my best.

Dave

Mom's caregvr. DDS failed to dx 01/03. Dx Stg IV SCC 05/03. Induct. chemo, IMRT, 5FU, H, Iressa, Neck disect, radiation. Dad's caregvr. Dx 01/04 Ext. Stg SCLC. Mets to liver/bone 08/04. Died 11/12/04. Mom tongue CA dx 06/13, hemiglossectomy (80% removed) 08/13. Clean margins and nodes, but PNI. 6/15/15: Tongue CA at base of remnant tongue. Declined further tx; hospice.
Died 10/13/15. What a long and difficult journey.