Dear Roma: I am so very sorry to hear about you and your husband's struggles. I am seven weeks into recovery. My treatment ended on 3/31. I can relate to your husband very much. I had a dear old friend visiting this week, whom I have not seen since I was diagnosed in December. She used the word depression and at first I cringed, but I have started reading about post-cancer depression it is real and scary. I saw myself in these articles, especially those by a New York Times writer and cancer survivor, Dana Jennings. You can Google Dana Jennings "After Cancer, Ambushed by Depression." I found it validating to read. I have lost my zest for food (and I have had a huge appetite and have been a HUGE food lover) but my mouth is in such pain, I rely on my feeding tube. This does not help the depression. I feel isolated and lonely a lot, in spite of a loving partner and fun kids to cheer me up. I feel like I am not my old self, but I have not found my new self. I hope you find this article helpful. For me, to know that I am not that different from other survivors is a great relief. Let me know how things progress. I will keep you in my prayers. -Michelle


SCC left tonsil, stage IV, HPV+, metastatic to one lymph node. Biopsy 12/23/10; tonsillectomy 1/13/11; DX 1/25/11; Peg in 1/28/11. Peg out 6/29. TX 1/31/11-3/21/11: 35 IMRT plus 3 Cisplatin. Pet-Scan 6/20/11 = CLEAR! Three years out, learning to live with the long-term side effects of radiation while reminding myself to feel blessed.