Hello everyone, Eric here... Just got back from the hospital a few hours ago. And yes, I am the proud new owner of a radical neck dissection on my left side.

The first 24 hours or so after the surgery I doubted those of you who said this was a walk in the park compared with radiation (felt more like a MUGGING in the park). But today, I actually don't feel that badly. The biggest pain issue is actually in my throat. Apparently, they had some probs with the breathing tube during surgery and that left me with a HUGE sore throat for the first 24-48 hours or so.

I'm eating more and more, though it does feel weird to swallow, kind of like I'm going to pull out all the staples or something... Oh well... no steak and fries for awhile, and I get to renew my addiction to lortab... laugh

Of course, it was tough mentally for awhile as well this weekend. I remember waking up all groggy Friday afternoon and hearing something about cancer and the neck dissection. Even in my semi-conscious state, I knew what my doctor meant -- it's Eric vs. Cancer, Round Two. It was disheartening for sure -- for me and for a lot of the people who prayed for me and firmly believed that this was going to come back negative...

We're still waiting for the official pathology report but my ENT said the cancerous node was in an area outside the original radiation field, so I still can get radiation for that area. He was still pretty hopeful that we can give this the knock-out punch, but I've read enough on here to know that this road won't be an easy one...

I think my faith in God was strengthened this past weekend despite the physical setback. It dawned on me that just because God doesn't always answer our prayers in the way we want, it doesn't mean he isn't working or not up to something great in our lives. I just surrendered myself to Him and his purposes for me. Yes I am still praying for a total cure (for me and for all of us on here). But my biggest prayer is that I would walk with God instead of opposing Him no matter what the road ahead looks like.

Thanks to all of you -- and my wonderful sister and wonderful wife -- for encouraging me along this journey. You'll never know how much that has meant...

Tongue cancer (SCC), diagnosed Oct. 2003 (T2 N0 M0). Surgery to remove tumor. IMRT Radiation 30x in Dec 2003 - Jan. 2004. Recurrence lymph node - radical neck dissection June 2004. Second round of rad/chemo treatments ended Sept. 2004.