That's very good news, Karen. They are going to be keeping a very close eye on you - that is a benefit of your 'unusual case' status. I am sure they will be more aggressive if they need to be - but that will likely wait for the results of the neck dissection. One of my riding buddies, a resident in pediatric oncolgy, mentioned sometimes being more aggressive merely adds toxicity - the goal being to do in the cancer without doing in the patient.

The four week wait for the TORS is unnerving, but if you were going for radiation, there would also be a wait as the IMRT planning and scheduling would have to take place. At least you don't have the winter holidays between your diagnosis and treatment - I am sure that caused at least three weeks of delay for my husband. I would push for the neck dissection to follow the TORS procedure as quickly as possible as is safe for you.

Please give your stressed out husband a hug for me, as this will be rough on him as well. I found that meditation helped me stay (kind of) sane.

Best wishes from Ohio,
Maria