Hello Laura, Sorry to have you among us. There are so many tough decisions to make prior to tx. There is more than one 'camp' about tx regimes. I chose to follow a very aggressive plan of chemo and radiation and NO surgery. My primary tumor was in the base of my tongue, and too large to remove without sacrificing most of my tongue. I had mets to left neck and scored a T4 before we began. University of Chicago was having good results with advanced head/neck cancers without surgery. Very aggressive chemo and concurrent radiation. My tx plan called for (seemingly)gallons of Taxol + 2 other drugs daily for 10wks. I got a week off, then went in for daily chemo and 2xdaily radiation one early, one late. This scheme for 1 week, then no tx for a week, then same again - in total 12 weeks of tx 6 on and 6 off. All that finished 11/03 and I am doing very well. But post tx damage remains.

I have very little swallow ability, though my speech is fine. Some dry mouth. I am consigned to live by a peg tube. Its kind of a boring way to eat, but I don't have to watch my figure!! When the rad burns healed I had marvelous new skin on the outside of face and throat, but lots of scar tissue and surface irregularity inside.

Gain weight now and hang onto it. Figure out a way to get twice your normal water intake into your system. I even did IV fluids at home during tx. Use the mouth wash from your rad onc. And often. Keep some narcotics that will go through your peg handy for the bad days. I think over coming the trials of tx is all about character - specifically angry character. I converted my fear and pain into additional determination. Besides, when my hair did grow back, the gray was gone! I can dominate conversations at the dinner table because I can't eat! Silver linings.... You can do this. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Tom J