Hello Colleen, The needle biopsy result was squamous cell carcinoma. They did a tonsillectomy..no cancer. So the doctor submitted Joe’s case to the tumor board at AU. They suggested that Joe. have supraomahyoid neck dissection on April 28. Also a NavDX since they have not determined or detected HPV that was just the doctor’s assumption. So we did a blood draw for that and sent it in..They will take out his submandibular gland where it is located, and surrounding lymph nodes. They will then do staging and be more definitive as to type of cancer.So that is discouraging since the tonsillectomy appears to have been done for no reason. The doctor said in retrospect, he should have brought it to the tumor board sooner and done the NAvDx sooner.
As for second opinion at Mayo, I have been pushing him to at least look at the process and talk with someone so that we have an idea as to how long it takes and what the cost would be. He says let’s get this part over and then look at our options.
We just moved to Augusta from Minnesota 2 years ago. We could move to Jacksonville for care, especially if this is a long term situation. His kids and grown grandchildren live in Tampa so they would be a half day away. For me it’s a no brainer, but I am not the one who has cancer. I can present the information but he has to act on it. In our relationship, I am the fact finder and explainer, but I am not sure how much information I could give to Mayo without his permission.
Thanks for asking how I am doing. I have made some very good friends in the area. I also have a group of 6 friends for 60 years that I lean on . My family in Minnesota very supportive. I don’t do social media. So I’m okay if I stay in my 24 hours. I am determined to at least get him online at Mayo, just don’t know how hard to push.
I think once we have diagnosis from NavDX and results from the neck dissection should we submit that to Maya Clinic.
My question is do we need a referral from our doctor?
How long is the process, and what it cost for second opinion ? Can we do a call one they have all the information?
We have a smallRV and I could pack that up and be down to Jacksonville in a day….
Any advice would be helpful. MAC