Tom & Jim --
If you do a search on the forums for PET Scan results, you will find lots of discussions of false positives and the impact of radiation and surgery on PET images.
I went through the same thing in October, with some lymph nodes that showed activity. I was 2.5 months out from treatment at the time. Both the ENT\Surgeon (same doctor as EZJim has) and the RO said not to worry. Easier said than done.
I had my follow up PET scan on Tuesday, and go for the results and a follow up on Monday. Keep us all posted here, and hopefully all 3 of us will have good outcomes!