Clint,

I want to re-emphasize a key point that Nelie and Gary made -- the doctors have to tell you the possible "worst case" result, which can be horribly depressing when you're still coming to grips with a diagnosis that probably hit you out of nowhere. I remember hearing my doctors recite the litany of potential long-term disabilities I might suffer -- severe speech impediment, total loss of feeling and motion from my neck down through my left arm, eating difficulties, etc. The actual result for me has turned out to be so minor in comparison with that list that I've wondered with hindsight how I could have been so worried about the treatment program. Thankfully I've ended up with minimal impact on my speaking and eating, and my overall "quality of life" in the 17 years since cancer has actually been better in many respects than it was before.

Please focus your energy right now on getting the advice of experienced H&N professionals and following their recommendations about fighting this disease aggressively.

Cathy