tcable, I work as an Operating Room nurse in my local hospital. Cancer is no longer a "disease of the elderly," we're getting patients as young as 35. What I can tell you is what I tell most, if not all patients who are to undergo surgery --- Better to lose part of yourself and live, than to keep everything and die.
I'm glad you found out about the cancer while it's in the early stages, and good to hear it isn't spreading. I know surgery is scary, but better get that thing out of you and be safe as soon as possible. The longer it is in you, the more likely it is to grow (and impede some other organ) or spread (unlikely, but better safe).
Good luck to you tcable. I'll be praying for you as well.
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- Ice