I'm so glad I posted here about our fears. Your responses are really easing the anxiety for us. Through you, I've been reminded that making decisions can be about things other than life and death, and the term "unknown" could actually lead to something good. I've learned that others have had more than one round of radiation, and lived to tell the story. And the calorie requirements have been firmly reinforced. Sometimes, he feels like it's just too much trouble - so I do need to keep on top of his intake.

The teaching hospital we're using is Rush University, in Chicago. It's not a CCC, but they do have an impressive clinic devoted to head and neck cancers alone. Everything is done as a team there - each recommendation goes to their Tumor Board before it's presented to us. It's a 2 hour drive (each way) from our home, but we deal with it. We were happy enough with our local care, but the ENT finally said he didn't feel qualified to take our case any further. He referred us to Rush, where he said he was trained by the best.

I don't think a CCC would take us, as our primary insurance is Medicare. Our backup insurance is great, but won't cover anything that Medicare doesn't. In any event, we're happy with the care at Rush. So far.

Thanks SO much for your input here. Each time I sit here to type, it gets a little easier.