Thank you everyone for the helpful information.

David: I did ask the MO at Moffitt and she they don't know recurrence rates of Cisplatin vs. Erbitux- there is no scientific data to support one way or the other. They are doing clinical trials now to determine this (and Cleveland Clinic told us the same thing- with HPV+ there is a belief that less toxic chemo and radiation may do the trick- but there is no scientific data to support this one way or the other). She told us when she started her career the same held true for Cisplatin- at that time it was not known how effective it was until it was thoroughly studied.

Not sure about Carboplatin- she did not mention- and wonder if he was excluded for same reasons (pre-existing significant neuropathy). She said Erbitux is choice number 2 when Cisplatin is contraindicated for his stage and type of cancer and it is FDA approved for Head and Neck cancer. They seem to be very on top of the latest and greatest at Moffitt and in fact last week had Maura Gillison there. She said we are looking at a "curable cancer" here and it is important to consider quality of life- if his neuropathy got worse with chemo my husband would not be independent- he would need help with dressing, buttoning, etc.. and may not even be able to work and use a computer. She said you don't know until you give it if that will happen or not, but once it does, it cannot be undone. So I trust their advice and my husband is comfortable with his decision, just a little worried about the rash.