Rodger;
I can tell you exactly what I would do if I were you because 5 months out from surgery I learned it needed to happen anyway. I would hit it with everything you can all at once. This is a sneaky, tricky, fast moving disease that is out to get you, so do everything within your power to get it first.

My first ENT felt very strongly about saving the rad/chemo stating they cause "many quality of life issues", etc. Quality is good but has no meaning whatsoever if there is no life! Even a second opinion told me I was in good hands, but should entertain follow up TX. I know he was aggressive the first time around and felt very confident that he did very well by me (as did I), but there were lots of other areas that finally lit up on a scan in July, including another tumor (none which showed up in an exploratory biopsy). What might have happened had the follow up with rad/chemo been immediate? Who really knows, but I feel I should have played that card then and found out.

By the way, read the link that Tim posted above. David sums it up very well. Just remember, everyone walks the path but at a different pace and varying degrees. Just remember there is light at the end of the tunnel. Success is measured "one swallow at a time."

Best wishes,

Steve


SCC right side BOT/FOM; DX 1-25-06; Neck dissection/25% of tongue removed 2-17-06. Stage 2 Recurrence 7-06: IMRTX35 & 3X Cisplatin ended 10-18-06. Tumor found 03/18/13; Partial Glossectomy 03/28/13 left lateral tongue. Nov. 2014; headaches,lump on left side of throat. Radical Neck Dissection 12-17-14; Tumor into nerves/jugular; Surgery successful, IMRTX30 & 7X Erbotux. Scan 06-03-15; NED! 06-02-16; Mets to left Humerus bone and lesion on lungs-here We go again! Never, Ever Give Up!

**** PASSED AWAY 10/8/16 ****