Tina thank you for your kind words. I don't wish to be rude but cancerous nodes can be a big predictor of progression in this disease and I have seen very few posters with an N3 diagnosis like my mom here which isn't exactly encouraging.
I'm sorry that you had to go through this battle and I wish you many many many more years of health and that this beast never bothers your life again.

You are right thought. No one benefits from constantly thinking about the worst case scenarios. She went in today to get her mask ready for radiation, I think it starts next week. I hope she'll reach the position you and many other survivors here are at and that she still has many more years left to enjoy her life (and see some grandkids!!!). I admire the strength and courage of everyone who has gone through this and who is currently going through it. You are all wonderful people whom life gave a shitty hand but it doesn't have to be the end, far from it.