Jen,
My husband was diagnosed in December of 2002 - the whole thing started with a large mass on his neck, much like yours. His was also stage 4.

Want you to know that now, two years later, he is back skiing on the Colorado slopes (we live in Colorado, too) and back to "active duty" on the fire department.

Treatment is a challenging road to walk - but one you CAN make it down.

Anita