JC I feel your shock at finding out that rads and chemo have not cured your cancer. My Husband Kris , had a recurrence 10 months after his rads and chemo. His only option then was surgery. Yes, they prefer not to to do surgery in a relatively close time period post radiation but it is doable. Please do not worry unnecessarily about this.
Please take Christine's advice and get a second opinion from a CCC. This is your life you are talking about.
Kris had his entire tongue removed . Life is still good.
Thinking of you ,
Tammy

Last edited by tamvonk; 06-04-2015 03:26 AM.
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!