Well it has been a while, but here is the update.

I went to Beth Israel to see Dr. Lou Harrison for a second opinion as well as the folks at MSK. Both concurred with my local RO opinion for a treatment plan. After some thought, we opted for local treatment. Harrison and my RO are close colleagues and Dr. Smiths care has been exemplary. Thanks to the folks here for the help getting this far.

I am finishing week 2 of treatment and my throat is starting to dry out a bit. Other than that - no complaints. I feel pretty fortunate so far.

Treatment plan is 35 IMRT treatments 5 times per week for 7 weeks, cisplatin once a week for 7 weeks.

The doc at MSK gave my wife and I a great deal of hope. He said that someone at my age and HPV+ with no tobacco use should be very very curable. Upwards of 95%. Granted, this is not 100%, but we like the odds.

Ray

SCC Right Pharangeal wall Stage IV HPV+
T1-2N2bMO
Dx 10/12/2012
Father for the second time to 2nd beautiful boy 11/2/12
Port Implanted 11/20/12 - no feeding tube
Tx - 11/26/12 35 IMRT Rads 5X/week Weekly Cisplatin
Last treatment 1/15/13
"Grind it out, I will be cured as I have too much to live for"