Hi all....I have been leary of posting my message, but was urged to do so, because it may help someone out there. I will start by telling you all that this web sight is a God send to me...my mom was diagnosed with a late stage 4 cancer on the base of her tongue and a spread to the lymph nodes. It looked very grim for her, but she wanted to try treatment. Long story short, after almost a full year, between chemo, radiation, surgeries, hyperbaric oxygen therapy and blood transfusions...her doctor was able to tell us she had NO cancer in her neck any more!! It was amazing to me, because it was not very hopeful initially. I need to stress how amazing I still find this...I mean...she was so far into it by the time she was diagnosed (head in the sand too long) that being cured was truly a miracle in my eyes. Unfortunately, during her treatment, being the stubborn woman she was raised to be, she never allowed the docs to do catscans on other parts of her body. Well....after the last round in the hospital with transfusions, they did all sorts of tests. She was then told that even though the cancer was gone completely in her neck, it was growing rapidly in her pelvic area and lungs. She was told she was terminal. On April 25, she passed away. Now, I am not here to be a downer or to look for sympathy. I am posting this because I CARE...I cannot stress this enough to each and every one of you...please, please....do not refuse any tests that are suggested. Even if you may think they order too many, or are doing them unneccessarily..get them anyway. I will never know if the catscans ordered at the beginning of treatments could have saved my mothers' life. So, the lesson here is basically this....learn as much as possible about the disease, research, ask questions, over and over if necessary, but do not put your head in the sand!!!!! My mom was a very brave, strong woman, and I'm sure if she knew this was coming, she would have gone for those tests. A few minutes of discomfort could save a life. Again, I do not want to discourage anyone....the cancer that looked irreversible was cured. I just want people to know they should take full advantage of doctors, test, support groups, this website, anything that helps..Keep hoping, and keep trying. God bless you all...and thank you for the wonderful support system I have found here. I will be thrilled if I am ever able to return the favor and help anyone.