Hi Shelley,
Yes there is life after DX and Tx! About the biopsy, mine did bleed a little afterwards but no big deal. I was able to eat later that day. Your results may differ due to many variables. Like Mark, it took my HMO 3 days to process and deliver the biopsy report.

Speaking for all of us, I can tell you that we know your terror and exactly how you are feeling. The early pre definitive diagnosis phase is very frightening. When they told me, I passed out in the ENT's office. You can really drive yourself crazy worrying about it. I asked for and got anti-anxiety medications which helped me a lot in the beginning -tell your doctor about how you are feeling.

It is good that you have stopped your vices (I won't give up salsa though). Let this be a wake up call to the real dangers of tobacco and alcohol.

I was a practicing alcoholic until 8 years ago and stopped smoking in 1976 (pot in 1985). I quit coffee when I started treatment earlier this year and now only drink an occasional cup. Life is great without these things and I can only imagine how much worse things might have been if I hadn't quit when I did. AA gave me a strong spiritual foundation and well as other practical tools to deal with it also.

The experience turned out to not be as bad as I thought and in fact, I'm doing pretty well now. I don't think I would want to go through it again but I would have been dead already without the treatment.

Like Mark said also there are many reasons other than cancer for problems in the head and neck. It is a very complex area of the body. Keep a positive attitude - it will keep your immune system healthy and continuing the fight.

We are here for you...