I think that it is important to hear what other patients have to say about this subject.  This woman’s story clearly illustrates the importance of getting a second opinion.  Actually I think it should be a matter of course to research your illness and get a second opinion whether you need it or not, because it could open up more options that you had not thought of.

April 2010

I saw your daughter’s video on youtube (port access) & decided to click onto your website.

I am also a cancer survivor of almost 9 years now.  I was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma in my Maxillary Sinus at 38 years old & since I live in Atlanta, I had access to Emory University hospital. I did not seek a 2nd opinion.  Never being sick before I was also pretty ignorant about serious diseases.  Although the doctors at Emory are awesome and talented I learned that it’s not just a doctor’s skill, it’s also the philosophy of the hospital and how they interpret stats, treatment plans, etc., which will ultimately determine how they will present treatment and treat the disease.  When facing a tumor in the face the last thing I could understand was statistics.

After radiation & surgery all of my margins came back clean. The hospital at the time, did not do chemo for head/neck cancers.  When I started getting symptoms within 6 weeks after my surgery they were certain it was not cancer.  Well, unfortunately it was and it took almost 5 months to actually confirm that.

Anyway – based on the size & location of the tumor the news wasn’t very good for me. I decided to go to MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston for my 2nd opinion and although they gave me the same news regarding the surgery & outcome, they also told me that they would have chosen to treat me different after surgery. They claim they would have started chemo to “mop up” any stray cells.  Ultimately that might have made a difference in where I was at the time.

My surgery was pretty radical: I lost my eye, cheek bone and part of my jaw.  My plastic surgeon did a good job and patched me back up pretty good.  I then started 6 months of chemo, which wasn’t that bad…wasn’t fun but it wasn’t the horror one is led to believe it always is.

With all of that said, I want to tell you how much I agree with your 2nd opinion section.  It is so very, very, important to realize that getting a 2nd opinion might mean the difference between life or death.  That’s my soapbox now when I speak with other cancer patients. Thank you for putting it out there!!!

Tell your daughter to be brave & I’m hoping for a great outcome for your family.

God Bless,

Sharon