David,

I'm sorry to hear about Kathy's passing. My RO asked me to never smoke(I was never a smoker) and drink again. He told me I could do what I want but that he never had an OC patient survive that continued those practices. We all know about smoking and the consequences; however, I do believe he was talking about heavy drinkers as opposed to the casual drink. It's a shame that she picked up smoking again...Never being an addict to anything...it's hard for me to relate for that feeling of needing something(pick your poison).

Cancer is all around us and it's very sad.

7-16-08 age 37@Dx, T3N0M0 SCC 4.778cm tumor, left side of oral tongue, non smoker, casual drinker, I am the 4th in my family to have H&N cancer
8-13-08 left neck dissection and 40% of tongue removed, submandibular salivary gland & 14 nodes clean, no chemo, IMRTx35
11-4-08 Recovering & feeling better