My name is Loretta, and I stumbled on this site today.

My husband was diagnosed with Stage III right tonsil cancer in May 2002. After removing the tonsil, he was treated with concurrent chemotherapy and radiation during that summer followed by two or three more cyles of chemo in the fall of 2002.

He noticed a lump in the right side of his neck a couple of months ago. After undergoing a CT scan and then a biopsy, my husband is now scheduled for a radical neck dissection this Friday. The biopsy showed it is the same squamous cell, tonsillar cancer as was diagnosed in 2002.

I've been reading many of the posts, both current and in the archives, and intend on visiting many more times.

Please wish us luck and keep us in your thoughts and prayers this week and into next as we survive this next challenge. My husband has a remarkable attitude, is very strong spiritually and is expecting a favorable outcome. We are also blessed with support from family and many close friends.

If your scenario with this disease is similar to my husband's, I would love to hear from you and what you would advise for a quick recovery from the neck dissection.

Thanks.

Loretta

Loretta, I am so sorry you are facing what we all fear - a second fight with this awful disease.

That said, a neck dissection is much easier and faster to recover from than the radiation and chemo. I was in the hospital a bit longer because I also had surgery done in my mouth, but even at that, the day after I got home I was out pulling ivy that was overgrown. The swelling took a while to recede, and circular massage helped redirect the accumulated lymph. There was little or no pain associated with the neck part of what I had.

There has been much written in this forum about neck dissections, so if you go to the top of the page and use the search function, you will have a lot to read.

There is also a wealth of information in the main section. Check here: http://www.oralcancerfoundation.org/facts/neck_dissections.htm

Ask any questions you have, and there will undoubtedly be someone here to answer from experience.

I wish you and your husband the very best outcome possible.

Loretta,

Welcome. There are a lot of us here that have had the Neck Dissection. I still have numbness on my right side of neck. I am now 1 year from that surgery. It does get stiff, but I use warm showers and do stretches. It seems to help.

I hope all will go fine for your husband. Joanna gave you a great place to read up on the dissection.

take care... Thinking of you
Diane

Thanks, Diane.

My husband had the neck dissection a week ago. Results of the path report are not what we had hoped for as several more lymph nodes were affected by the disease. But, we're shouldering on and looking at our next step.

Thanks for your kind concern.

Loretta

Hello Loretta
I am so sorry you are having to deal with this again, I know you must be scared for him.
We will be thinking of you and sending lots of positive vibes your way. Hang in there.
Take Care
Marica