Ching, I wish you and your husband luck in the coming weeks. You have come to the right place. My diagnosis really took me by surprise as well. The last time I had been hospitalised was when my son was born, and he is 32 years old. They really moved quickly with me. I was fortunate in that I didn't need skin grafts or a trach. I did have a PEG tube before I started radiation and chemo, and also a port. (I still have the port.) Be glad if he doesn't have to have radiation or chemo. I really had no problems with the surgery. Keep us updated on your husband's "new normal."

Female, nonsmoker, 70, diag. 5/09 after tongue biopsy: stage IV. Left hemi-gloss. and left selec. neck disec. 30 lymph nodes removed May 20. Over 7 weeks daily rads. with three chemo. PEG removed 12/4/09 Am eating mostly soft foods. Back to work 11/09 Retired 4/1/11. 7 clear scans! Port out 9/11. 2/13. It's back: base of tongue, very invasive
surgery involving lifestyle changes. 2/14: Now speaking w/Passey-Muir valve. Considering a swallow study. Grateful to be alive.