Hi Jen,
Where was your original tumor that 'has now melted'? I ask because of the voice box question.
I haven't the time to make a lengthy post now, but I and many others have posted on this subject often. Search the archives. It is the easier half of the treatments. Are they oing one side or both? Will he have to remove muscle? Make certain he doesn't remove your saliva glands unless absolutely necessary. I'm a little surprised they are scheduling this so quickly. I would have thought they would have given a lttle more time for skin to heal. Operating on irradiated tissue is more difficult than if you had had the neck dissection first. Ask about using Biafine to help heal before and after surgery. Iive had two of these ops and needed very little morphine after I woke up and only for a day, but every person and surgery is different

Take care,
Eileen