Donna, I have to agree with Brian, the neck dissection is a walk in the park compared to the radiation. I had about 1/6 of my tongue removed along with the radical neck dissection, and about 10 days after leaving the hospital the surgeon was miffed that I hadn't returned to work. Did wind up with some shoulder and left arm mobility problems, which causes some issues with airport security (raise your arms--I can't) Also the swelling Brian talked about.

Have some intersting things going on with the nerves to/from/through the neck, but suspect either I"ll get used to it or they'll go away in time.

Bob

SCC Tongue, stage IV diagnosed Sept, 2002, 1st radical neck dissection left side in Sept, followed by RAD/Chemo. Discovered spread to right side nodes March 2003, second radical neck dissection April, followed by more RAD/Chemo.