My brother's came back in three weeks following surgery. They didn't do a cat scan for another month, but his pain started again after three weeks and I know in my heart that the pain was a sign of the cancer because it was not "normal" for it to come back like it did. I wish I had more answers for you, but I do agree that your father will need help. These surgeries are tramatic both physically and emotionally and I can't imagine someone going through it alone. I'm sure it can be done, but not if it is in anyway avoidable.
Best of luck, I'll keep my fingers crossed,


Sister of 32 year-old oral cancer victim. Our battle is over but the war rages on. My brother passed July 26, 2005. He was a smokeless tobacco user.