Rick

Very glad that your ND did not show any cancer even though that means you probably did not need a ND in the first place. That is consistent with the 50% figure of unnecessary ND in my response to your original post. However there isn't any good way that I know of to tell which 50% you are in before the ND.
Now that the surgery is over and you are recovering so well, ask your ENT for a script for physical therapy. Even when the operation goes so smoothly (mine did also), the trauma to the muscles and nerves that were preserved (they have to be moved around to get to the nodes) usually requires therapy to get them back in the game. Your other muscles will try to compensate but it's better to safe than sorry here.
Charm


65 yr Old Frack
Stage IV BOT T3N2M0 HPV 16+
2007:72GY IMRT(40) 8 ERBITUX No PEG
2008:CANCER BACK Salvage Surgery
25GY-CyberKnife(5) 3 Carboplatin
Apaghia /G button
2012: CANCER BACK -left tonsilar fossa
40GY-CyberKnife(5) 3 Carboplatin

Passed away 4-29-13