"IMHO, taking an active roll in your treatment increases your chances that less errors will be made."

I cannot agree with this more. My father is a physician and I've always had the utmost respect for doctors . I was always very trusting of what they told me... until I got this cancer. I was misdiagnosed for many months - was made to feel like a hypocondriac while in absolute agony and finally was referred to an ENT who also diagnosed me quickly. From there I went into the hospital where there were many bloopers made- too many to mention. For the rest of my time in the hospital I was completely on edge and could not relax because I felt if I did that I wouldn't be taken care of. It was nervewracking to say the least. I had no idea how tough it would be.

It is especially difficult with the type of surgery for H&N because we often can't speak in the hospital. I was exhausted trying to communicate my needs via writing.