A foot note to my post above:

I don't want anyone to think I was suggesting that the treatments given by competant medical professionals were more dangerous than the disease we are dealing with.

I intended to remind people that there are other effects than simply killing cancer cells. Long term potential effects on other organs and increased risks for future disease do exist with chemo drugs and radiation. I am confident that proper consideration for these risks are made by doctors every day and we should tend to trust them.

What this boils down to is that we shouldn't automatically feel left out or mistreated if our treatment protocols are different from one another.

Fr. Mike, I agree with Brian that you should look into IMRT radiation.

Mark, 21 Year survivor, SCC right tonsil, 3 nodes positive, one with extra-capsular spread. I never asked what stage (would have scared me anyway) Right side tonsillectomy, radical neck dissection right side, maximum radiation to both sides, no chemo, no PEG, age 40 when diagnosed.