Cheryl,

I would contend that a good surgeon cuts no nerves in your neck during a neck dissection. I had 38 nodes removes and was out of the hospital in a day and walking 4-5 miles a day thereafter. I only missed a week of work and have had no should or neck issues involving movement or strength since. The only issue is the numbness on the surface that is going away over time.

If a Doc is telling you he's cutting nerves I'd seek a new doc.

Just my $.02

Regards,

-Rich


47, Non-smoker, moderate drinker
7/13 Found a lump on my neck
8/08/13 Dx HPV 16+ SCC right tonsil
8/19/13 Biopsy and neck dissection, 38 lymph nodes removed 2+ for cancer
9/23/13 Start 33 radiation treatments & 4 x Carboplatin/Taxol, 3 x Taxol only
11/07/13 Last radiation treatment
01/03/14 Post treatment CT scan looks good