I have no idea where to start or to go.....and i am apologizing in advance for what will probably be a bit of a ramble Biopsy 18 December followed by a pet scan and mri on 19th with an appointment at hospital today that saw my loved one and i along witn our son attending a ent clinic. I think i am either still processing what happened or am in shock with how this was managed...a little room where i counted 6 doctors and 2 nurses who proceeded to disclose the results and their recommendation.... no introductions to who was who and the role each played in this process.....a diagnosis of tongue cancer ensued followed by "we think you would make a suitable candidate for surgery" and that the team needed to know today whether to proceed with surgery so they could book it in....when asked whether it was in the lymph nodes as there is swelling in the neck...the team were not sure and that another mri was required ...subsequently 2 additional mri tests were undertaken...the whole process of learning about the diagnosis, undertaking more mri tests plus completing pre op questions took over 6 hours....my question is...is this a normal process? To require someone to make a decision the same day that they have been told that they have cancer seems out of line....and in my view appeared to be a way to steer a person to agreeing to the preferred recommendation, with out due consideration of what other options, if any, that may be available...in this case they seem to be pushing surgery to remove the tongue and jaw...and they made it sound so straightforward...so we will just take a part of your leg bone to reconstruct your jaw....i am interested to hear other viewpoints or experiences......is surgery the only option for tongue cancer? My gut is telling me to get a second opinion...surgery may be good from a doctor's point of view, but what about quality of life? We are required to return again Thursday to meet with another team....i think they mentioned something about a dietician and speech therapist and anaesthesist and to ask any questions we may have...overwhelmed
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