Hi Jack,
so it was the lymph node that gave it away. My right tonsil cancer never got into the lymph nodes - it was just one humongous polypoid tumor that choked me in my sleep at night. Other than a little hoarseness and the sensation of something caught in my throat, basically asymptomatic.

I have one restriction now - to consciously not let unimportant things control my life, especially to interfere with my relationships. I was pretty good at choosing my battles before but the big c thing has fine tuned my priorities even more.

I have to agree that the forum is a unique thing. A lot of us met in Las Vegas a few months ago which changed everything for me - I now see peoples faces when I post - it's much more personal now. Seeing the member profile and photo book that Danny Boy put together was very moving, especially the persons who have passed this year. Everyday I wake up now is one of intense gratitude.