I still get "hardness" under my chin and on the side of the neck that the dissection was done on and it is one of the issues that still bothers me. I was told by my doctors that this is a normal condition and I have seen them all (Head and Neck surgeon, ENT, Radiation Oncologist and Oral Surgeon) in the last 3 weeks. They say it is a due to the beating the area took and it will come and go. The problem I have with it is that if it is, as they say, primarily lymphatic fluid then why is it hard and not like.....like.....like a water filled area? As far as the effect on swallowing is concerned I do notice that when I'm having a "hard neck" period my throat feels slightly constricted. I would imagine that the external pressure on the throat area will reduce the internal area. All I can offer beyond this is that I have healed and recovered exceptionally well and I'm 9 months out from surgery today, so John may need some more time. Additionally, I had the surgery first so I believe the healing process was a bit easier than post radiation surgery.

On the feeling blahsay issue, I had some very minor oral surgery done last week and I was walking around like they just split my jaw open again! My poor girlfriend and daughter. It don't take much to remind you that you have gone through hell and any, even minor, setbacks will put you in a down mood. As time goes on his neck and mood will improve!