Nicki,

Being the one who was on the other side of the coin, I cannot tell you how much it meant to me to wake up after surgery and see the face of the person who meant the most to me. I remember (vaguely from that drug induced memory) waking up at least half a dozen times and asking the same question. "What does my neck look like?"(and I always thought that vanity was for the female of our species) before going right back out again. When I finally came around enough to really appreciate the fact that I was still around, I was able to realize that my beautiful daughter was also in the room. She had flown in from Tenn. that morning.

I also had the swelling and voice raspiness, but they went away within a week.

I consider Tom a lucky man to have YOU with him, with your obvious deep love for him and how you care for him. You who are the caregivers are so important.

Take care of Tom AND Yourself,

Peace
Jack
..........
Dx 1/15/97 SCC rt. tonsil met to rt lymph node Stg IV,
Srgry 1/23/97 tonsillectomy & mod radical neck dissection,
Radiation 35 trtmnts both sides