Brian,

I want to say that although I haven't been through a recurrence with my friend I understand being a caregiver to a friend. I have done the same thing for my best friend who also had squamous cell carcinoma (I HATE those words), and just finished eight weeks of radiation. I am so sorry for the pain and emotional trauma you and he are experiencing. I am certain that some others with more experience will give you sound medical advice and sound suggestions pertinent to your situation.

I guess I wanted to reply because the pain you are in leaped off the page and I want to share that I have found great comfort from many caring members of this forum and I know if you keep posting you will to.

As to what you can go do, please get the best medical advice you can. If you guys have the resources go to the best facility you can. Eric (my friend) and I drove over 200 miles roundtrip for every doctors appointment and radiation appointment. I don't regreat that a bit, although he wasn't always cheery in the car. I believe it is important to do everything you can to beat this, and there isn't a cancer out there that someone hasn't beat. This means that despite how grim it looks, you can have hope. I know what it is like to have tears and feel hopeless, but the feeling will pass and your friend will need you to be the support you have been througout his difficult journey.

I am sure you will find some answers and comfort here and I hope you feel better soon.

Jack Hovenier