Hi Goodhealthahead - similarites here also - partner had spinal accessory nerve removed during neck dissection (along with jugular vein and most of sterno-mastoid muscle) - they said nerve was through tumour. This meant a modified neck diss ended up a radical one. He is doing physio exercises daily (at present - probably not as treatment continues) and is in pain a lot especially walking. Have requested referral to PT after treatment - things take a while here in U.K. I have heard lots of positive things about exercises helping the trapezial muscle. The surgeon said he wouldn't be able to raise his arm above his head - don't you hate it when they give no hope. My partner was fit and healthy and active, non smoker ( blah blah - yep readers you have heard this all before - so many similar stories - esp with HPV+ DX)
Hi Cheryl - thanks for the hugs - I certainly need them. I might compare notes about medical system in future.
Kitty


Partner (never smoker, light drinker age 56)
lymph node noticed 7/20/12
DX SSC tonsil 8/8/12, T2 N2a M0 HPV 16 +,
tonsillectomy 8/15/12
neck dissection 9/25/12
IMRT (30) started 11/2/12 First Cisplatin 11/5/12, Second 11/20/12. Finished 12/13/12.
Follow ups - all clear