I had posted a few weeks ago that a PET scan indicated metastasis to my right jugular lymph node(s). Long story short, I had the R. neck dissection on 7/30. He had to remove my right jugular vein and sternocleidomastoid muscle, but otherwise I have good mobility - better than expected.

After surgery the doctor indicated to my wife that he was a bit concerned about clear margins. Apparently he removed the tumor and suspicious tissue which had connected itself to my carotid. He removed as much of the protective tissue around the carotid as he could in the area of concern. I am scheduled to see the surgeon tomorrow to review the results of the pathology from surgery.

In the mean time, my wife received a call yesterday from our local cancer treatment center (which I haven't been to in many months). They said they were calling to arrange my appointment for radiation mapping. When the poor receptionist calling realized that we had not yet spoken to the surgeon, she gasped, then nearly freaked out, then attempted to end the call. My wife asked her to please not hang up and let us know what was going on. She said they had just received orders from my surgeon to set me up for another round of radiation - and they just assumed we were already aware. I'm not quite sure how all that communication is 'supposed' to work, but probably not quite like that!

We're guessing that the surgeon's concerns about clear margins must have been validated by the pathology, but of course until we hear it from him tomorrow we really don't know what's going on, other than I'm getting my staples and drains removed by the surgeon tomorrow, and then about 2 hours later I'm meeting up with my radiation oncologist and getting mapped again for radation. I guess the 'why' and all the other questions will get answered through those appointments tomorrow.

Still kind of chewed up from the dissection (8 days ago) but other than that I'm ready to rock with the next chapter of treatment.

-Steve