Hi EricS and all,
I have this insurance called Kaiser, an HMO. They were so busy with new cancer patients that they referred me to a surgeon and his team in the Denver Metro area. This office is a "Head and Neck Surgical Specialist" place and he said he has a multi disciplinary team that will review my case and come up with the best treatment plan, such as the one I mentioned in my first post. I don't know enough to speak as if I do, so I will keep asking questions.

Can anyone fill me in on being in a hospital for 3 weeks or more? That's possible in my case, and the only 2 times I was ever hospitalized was for an overnight for each of my kids' birth days. What should I bring? Can I wear my own night clothes? Can I bring my laptop?

With a partial glassostomy sp? (tongue removal) will I be able to speak within a week, two weeks, month?

I have lost 20 pounds so far, but is this from the cancer or because it hurts to each with an ulcer on my tongue? I am eating more since I began reading other posts today that said that the feeding tube will cause more weight loss.

This is good because I love to eat, but have a painful time of it with the ulcer. I am currently craving empty sugar, but have restrained and been eating bananas and yogurt. And to the guy who suggests chocolate pudding with lots of whipped cream. "I love you, man!"

These are just a few q's to start. Thanks for the encouragement.

One more, what is a young Frack?

Barb