Rosemary:

I am going to QUICKLY jump on one thing that leaps out at me from your post then will review the rest and respond later. It is ESSENTIAL in late stage cancers to radiate both sides of the neck down to the level of the clavicle!!In fact, even in earlier stage oral cancers involving one side of the neck (like in Dave's case), radiation to both sides is standard protocal.

In fact, most survivors and radiation oncologists will tell you that it is recommended because the highest incidence of re-occurence is local (the original area and the other side of the mouth/neck).

Please, Please, Please check again-I am hoping Brian will weigh in with his opinion but the research I have done and the oncologists
( surgical, radiation, & medical) all agreed(I swear the one thing they did agree on!) that bilateral treatment is key.

You are very fortunate Heather does not have involvement of the nodes on both sides of her neck becaue it is likely she would have both sides surgically treated. But, I just want to reiterate again that bilateral involvement is NOT the only criteria for radiating both sides of the neck. Duel to the end with the big boys on this issue!I hope I'm not scaring you but reinforcing the healthy caution most of us now have about advice being given-I'll write more later. A tough and competing issue this trust thing though though-because we also all know we have chosen to put our lives in the hands of these folks.

Great news on the scans!

Will be back with more later.

Kim