David,
Thanks for the posting tip - I've been reading everyone else's signature, and never looked at my own. Updated.

Still in a quandary over the ROs. Don't know how to pick.

I met with a local (7 mins from home) RO earlier this week. He recommended Induction chemo followed by chemo-rads with Amiphostine (sp?) to try to protect some salivary function, then surgery only if needed last (probably just to clear out nodes). Today, I went to a larger cancer center (not CCC, University of Cincinnati Barrett Cancer Ctr) to meet with another RO (and an intern, and two med students). Recommended plan given was rads w/out chemo ("we've got a good shot at taking care of the primary with radiation alone"), then surgery to clean up the nodes - no amiphostine. He was not against the chemo-rads, but thought it would cause much more damage to my body. He would only consider induction chemo if the cancer had spread beyond locally, and said this type of cancer does not typically do that. He said there was more than one road leading to where I wanted to be. Both doctors are highly recommended, seemed competent, and were likeable (as were their staff members).
The larger center is 25 mins away, not an issue now, but I'm wondering if I could make all the treatment dates in the middle of winter (we usually get a couple of semi-bad patches, and one bad storm a year that limits interstate access).

I'm beside myself - the ROs each think the other is a fine doctor. The MO I'm seeing Monday (16th) has offices at the Hematology-Oncology ctr with RO #1, but has also worked with RO #2. Both ROs agree the MO is great. So, I'm still where I was a week ago, agonizing over 2 ROs, and still not feeling up to the task of making this huge treatment decision. For whatever reason, I'm not suffering over the MO.

My PET was yesterday - MO will give me the results Monday. I've been making myself crazy, certain that I have obvious symptions of cancer in other locations in my body, and hyper-sensitive to anything that anyone could possible suspect was the slightest bit abnormal. I have NEVER been a hypochondriac, so this is bizarre - trying to breathe and wait for Monday - I dread it, but can't wait 'til it's done with.

So, there that is - feel like I'm exactly where I was a week ago - running myself in circles in my head.

Be well,

- Pam