Debbie,

You are right...statistics don't apply to a case of one, for the good and the bad. There have been examples of stage 1 SCC (90% 5year)patients here that have died a year after being diagnosed.

"I have been referred to a local doctor and I am told I will be put in with all his other new patients and taken as he feels
necessary. I have been told it may be weeks before I can see him for even a consult."

This is the information you provided dear...to me if I was told this I would immediately look for care elsewhere. MD Anderson is a wonderful program, the Houston facility is well regarded and top rated. You can wait around and see if you are one of the "special" few this obviously overworked Dr picks to work with and see how that works out for you.

I didn't say you were being casual...but the information you gave showed examples of your medical professional being that way and the MD Anderson response is at best dissappointing. I doubt you would get the same response from a Cancer Care Center or from the sounds of things Moffit.

I also depended on my looks and speaking abilities for my profession and even being treated at one of the top programs in the US for cancer (6th) and otolaryngology (12th) I ended up disfigured and severely affected speech, unable to return to my work. My point was Debbie, you want a team as passionate about YOUR cancer as you are and your initial information painted a different picture.

Debbie,

Sorry for the news. This may help you:

www.oralcancerfoundation.org/facts/rare/mc/index.htm

Either MDA or Moffitt would be a good choice so lets see what MDA says.

Good luck.

seda bug,
search mucoepidermoid in the search box. it will take u to older post of others with this cancer.
finding the right team can be aggravating...but u will KNOW the right team when u find them.
good luck in ur search and keep us posted.

I thank all of you for your assistance. Thanks to this board I have spoken with one Doctor from Knoxville and I have an appointment in the AM with local Doctor.
I had a suprising moment the other night when after spending HOURS reserching this and reading your posts and searching your site I came across the page showing the size of a cm it took me a couple of minutes to understand that 4 cm is larger than 4 mm.
I am not entirely stupid I just didn't grow up with metric I don't think in metric and there is only one little letter change didn't seem that big a difference.
The good news is that mine was only 4 mm Not 4 cm which means a different route for me. I will know tomorrow but the one conversation I had with the specialists was that this is very early to find it.
No EricS I won't let down my guard.
I want to thank you for being so blunt the other day I know I was defensive and confused. I have been on so many roller coasters since Monday I can't ever remember quite so many highs and lows in such a short time. But the list helped me there because I read that is normal.
So I will update and ask for advice after the meeting tomorrow.
Thanks again!

Debbie,

No worries, I'm an acquired taste really which is why I generally apologize before I post. My heart is usually in the right place however at heart I'm a jerk with too much attitude and it oozes into everyhing I seem to write.

I try and steer clear of new posters and the caregiver forums as I feel I don't relate well in those areas...I know the last thing you need is to feel attacked on a "support" forum.

Good luck Debbie, I hope all goes well.

Eric

Debbie,
I would agree with Kelly. You are quite fortunate to have a MDA Cancer Center in Orlando (affiliate of the renown UT MDA Houston CCC) and Moffit in Tampa.

I have seen some of the TomoTherapy presentations from the Orlando MDA and their work with Tomo in Head & Neck cancer has been pioneering. MDA's Tomo protocols seems to set a benchmark for many other Tomo centers (but I don't know is Tomo will be their recommended approach for Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma).

With a second opinion from Moffit you should be in good hands.

Debbie, so sorry about the news. You will be in my prayers.

Debbie, 1 question. Do you have someone to accompany you to your appointments? It's a very good thing to have someone to take notes and ask questions you may not think of. A lot of info is going to be coming at you and you may feel overwhelmed by it all. I hope you have people to support you through this.

If you have a recorder , take it in with you and record what is said. Good luck with your visit .

Hi Debbie, Sorry to have you as a new member here. You have already found out for yourself how helpful & wonderful a site this is, so you are already making smart choices in your care! It stinks going to the doctor on a Friday...makes for a very long weekend! Don't worry, great care is on its way & I'm sure your going to be just fine.