If I got paid by the hour for this, I would just about be ready to retire in Tahiti.... Unfortunately, my $1.00 per year salary from the foundation this year won't allow it. Believe me, I am really happy to help, hand hold, or whatever to assist you in making good decisions and coping with the uncertainties when they come up... Also realize that I am only giving back what someone did for me. Something you too might do for another behind you in this process, somewhere down the road. When I was in treatment, and particularly afterwards when I seemed to be getting worse instead of better for so long (actually a normal recovery), there was a person who answered my tons of questions and emails diligently, thoughtfully, and patiently.....even when I was so depressed and frustrated my tone and attitude would have made a lesser mentor turn tail. I am forever grateful to that person. We are all, like it or not, in a big club. The more we help each other, the easier it is for everyone who is a member of this unfortunate band to get through this crappy place, and onto the rest of our lives. No one gets through this alone, and no question or insecurity is unimportant.

Regarding the neck dissection. Between the radiation and the surgery, it was defiantly the lesser of the two evils. It didn