Welcome Nicki,
In December of 2002, we were also beginning this process, as you are now. Like your husband, my husband discovered a lump on his neck which turned out to be SCC - occult primary later found to be tonsil. He didn't have the induction chemo, he actually had chemo at the same time as the radiation. But I want to tell you that he is back to his formaer active self now, at about 16 months post treatment. But, as you suspect, the weight issue is a big one. It will become tougher as treatment progresses. My husband was down to about 120 pounds before he was finally talked into as PEG (feeding) tube. In retrospect, we wish he would have gotten it sooner - it really helped with the nutrition issues. Even now though, he is skinny as a rail and having trouble getting back to his former weight. But other than that, life is good - and, as the road gets rocky, try to remember that it does get better.

Warmest wishes,
Anita


Husband Dx 12/02 Stage 4 Tonsil Cancer T1N2bM0; surgery, radiation, chemo 1/03 - 4/03.