Dear friends: I meant to say CHEMO as palliative treatment. The VA is the one in Gainesville FL. The Community Cancer Center is also in Gainesville as they serivice the VA patients for radiation. The Rad/Onc said he could not have any more radiation. We went outside the VA in July of 2005 and went for radiation instead of a possible free flap surgery and I think they may have been offended. We borrowed money to cover expenses. My husbands disease is not considered service connected even though he worked on the flight deck of an aircraft carrier for 4 yrs with no respiration protection, and the fact that they practically gave them cigarettes back in the 60's

We have not really spoken with anyone at the VA except for the ENT surgical nurse who has been very helpful and sympathetic. They sent all the records and test info to Shands at the U of F and their ENT team felt that surgery was not an option as the risks were too great.

Rather than a 2nd opinion I am more concerned that he get the right Chemo cocktail that would be helpful instead of just something to shut us up. As I've said many times to friends, if I knew that exact spot between doormat and bitch (pardon me) I'd be happy to stand right there.