Here's my situation:

~Husband diagnosed with SCC of the right tonsil in May 2002. Tonsil was removed and treatment with chemo and radiation followed through the summer and into the fall. He generally tolerated the treatment well. Staging was given as T2N1M0.

~He has been consistently followed these last four years by oncology and the ENT with nothing but good reports.

~He found a lump in the right side of his neck. After exam by the ENT, my husband underwent a radical neck dissection about one week ago.

~We have just learned that of the 20+ nodes removed, 13 showed some cancer. All the other muscle and tissues were apparently clear.

~We'll be meeting with the ENT Monday for the staples to be removed. On the phone, the ENT said he would refer us back to oncology for further consultation. He did not believe that radiation would be an option this time.

Here are my questions:

I need to know what questions to ask both the ENT and the oncologist when we see them.

Where are the leading sites for treatment of head and neck, especially recurrences of this type?

I know insurance and payment shouldn't be the final issue, but if I can get somewhere that insurance could cover us, all the better. Anybody familiar with what might be happening in the midwest..University of Louisville, University of Chicago, Indiana University or possibly Cleveland Clinic?

I'm feeling like the wind has been knocked out of our sails....again.

Loretta