Hello, I am Mickey and live in USA Tennessee. Age 55..
I have Base Of Tongue SCC.

Noticed large lymph node around May 22 2012, waited about 2 weeks and did not go down.

Went to ENT June 6, did needle Biopsy- very worried that he did this on the first visit (glad he did though) 1 week later, results negative, I was feeling better. He said we must still look, node is not going down.

CT scan July 9 - results Negative. He said we have to take the lymph node (left side neck) out and test it. (6 cm) He said he did see a something on left base of tongue at this visit (or before?)..

Deep Neck Dissection (sic) July 26, then, few days later..
DX - SSC - T1N2aM0

Next, PET/CAT scan Aug 7, - Better news, Base of Tongue Left side below the tonsils, no evidence of spread to any other organ or node that can be seen...

Aug 14, endoscopy, removed BOT spot is about size of pencil eraser, removed about the size of a dime... did not remove left tonsil, as it was below that, (some ulcer on esophagus, checked, not cancer).

Now I have seen the main OC and the OC Radiation doctors.
Main OC said I would receive small doses of chemo first of each week of radiation. Radiation OC said I would receive 35 IMRT treatments, to begin Sept. 5.

OC Radiation doctor said he may not use full strength on the Right side and it MAY save the main salivary gland on the right, but no guarantees.

They all say, and I have read that the radiation is TUFF , but he did say that some can drive and work all through out the TX.
Should I expect to not be able to work, around the 3 or 4th week as some of the postings indicate?

I am a Christian and believe the Lord will cure through the doctor's treatment.

I have a lovely wife that is very worried about the destruction of the salivary glands and the taste buds, but I say what ever it takes!