Hi Maureen, yes when we dont expect it they can shock us with the size of the surgery required to cure. I think what gets us through is that they still consider it curable. That's really great news.
So I see you have a month to eat up large. The time will go fast. I guess you will spend a few weeks in the hospital, then I hope your son will take you back to his house for a while until you are able to cope alone. I hope the surgeons gave you both a good explanation of the surgery and recovery and it's expectations. I'm sure your son will be there for you through this next phase. Thinking of you,
Tammy

Caregiver/advocate to Husband Kris age 59@ diagnosis
DX Dec '10 SCC BOT T4aN2bM0 HPV+ve.Cisplatin x3 35 IMRT.
PET 6/11 clear.
R) level 2-4 neck dissection 8/1/11 to remove residual node - necrotic with NED
Feb '12 Ca back.. 3/8/12 total glossectomy/laryngectomy/bilat neck dissection/partial pharyngectomy etc. clear margins. All nodes negative for disease. PEG in.
March 2017 - 5 years disease free. Woohoo!