Hi Kellijojo,

I am so sorry for your loss and for what you are going through. I too, am an RN and worked in OT for a while so I know how gruesome those operations can be. But, I have had two neck dissections,first one was in Sept 2010 and it was a selective one. All nodes removed came back clear but unfortunately I had to have another one, this time a modified radical dissection where they removed all the remaining nodes, glands, jugular vein and the muscle as well. After nearly 3 weeks, it has healed well, apart from shooting, weird and spasmodic pains which come and go. Yes, I have a dent in my neck,an awesome scar, swelling but I am glad to have the cancer out. Now, I am awaiting to start rads and chemo...wish I didn't have to go through this part of the journey but I realise it gives me better odds of surviving this illness.

Please do not give up. Having a cancer diagnosis is probably the most frightening thing to have happened to me and to have it come back so soon after my first bout was extremely hard to handle. I still struggle with it everyday but having the people on this forum as my 'angels' has been unbelievably good for my soul and psyche. Without them, I don't know how I would be dealing with this. Please use this forum to vent or ask for advice.I, like many others have stopped looking at statistics and instead take inspiration from the many survivors who are living a full and productive life despite the challenges they may face.

I wish you all the very best. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Liza