Nicki, it is possible to avoid surgery. Take myself as an example. My neck tumor shrank from the size of a goose egg to that of a peanut within a month post chemo-radiation treatment. I still thought that surgery was inevitable but I was wrong. The follow up scan taken at 2 months post treatment could not detect cancer cells around the area. So I did not need any surgery. You are not naive thinking that your husband may skip operation. Good luck,
Karen.

Hi Nicki,
like Karen my advanced large tumor was treated by radiation and chemo alone. I checked the NCCN guidelines and it says for N2b cancers that they radiate post surgery. Optionally they recommend the same Tx Karen and I had. I would have a serious discussion with the RO and find out what the risk/benefit of both protocols are and what is the most sure way of killing the cancer.
http://www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/PDF/head-and-neck.pdf

Hi Nicki -- I'll let you know how I make out with "round three" of the cisplatin infusion... Next week is my free week, and I'll be trying to pack down the calories as much as possible...

I'm determined not to vomit from this stuff, and I'm doing well there so far... I may have to look into the EMEND you were talking about -- haven't heard of that...

My docs told me the second round would be "much tougher" but it was really about the same for me except the queasy feelings hung around longer... I'll be interested to see what my blood counts are the next time they check those...

Nicki-- glad to hear your husband's tumor is shrinking so much!!!!! Just curious -- where is Warrenton, Va? Is that near Warrenton, NC? I'm originally from Raleigh and worked for several years at a newspaper in Wake Forest...