Thanks everyone. That helps to hear that he appears to have told me the worst possible side effects. I know that each case is different.

The other side effect I absolutely was not prepared for was the potential damage to my vocal chords. I am a singer, and although I don't make a living from it, it is a joy in my life. Anyone here have an altered voice permanently? Getting my mind around that is scary.

I am about 20 pounds overweight. I have always been heavy, and have lost 25 pounds since my diagnosis, from the stress and the diet. I know I'm not supposed to lose any more during treatment, but I think it is inevitable. So now I am going to have those luxurious dinners I don't: steak, lobster, shrimp, chocolate mouse, you get the idea. Why the f not, right? They may never taste the same to me again. Gulp.

I'm going to attend a local support group for head and neck cancers. I'm sure that will be beneficial as well.

Thanks for reading.

Katie

10/2/12 Surgery Dx Stage II SCC RLT
11/12/12 Further tongue resec and SND. 3 of 22 lymph + SCC Stage IVa
11/22/12 Hospitalized for infection incision at neck
12/5/13 PET scan tumor at BOT
12/26/12-2/27/13 RT and Cisplatin
4/1/13-5/17/13 3 rounds of Cisplatin, Taxotere and 5-FU
7/19/13 Pet Scan possible recurrence
8/23/13 2nd op at MSKCC, CT Scan
8/31/13 MRI. Both show sizeable mass
9/11/13 CT-guided needle BX + SCC
10/1/13 Erbitux, Cisplatin and Taxotere
2/14/14 Passed away