Here is the background:

75 y/o male, non smoker/non drinker with stage 4 SCC of the mouth. Diagnosed on 3/21/07, upper maxillectomy, one salivary gland removed and neck dissection performed on 5/23/07 (8 hours in duration). Tumor was the size of a plumb, cancer found in two lymph nodes. Patient suffered MI while in surgery; now has congestive heart failure. Patient now has obturator to cover hole in roof of mouth.

Patient is able to eat table food that has been processed in a blender. 40 pounds lost since surgery date but is now maintaining present weight.

Sorry for not giving a better background in the original post.

Surgery was performed first because it was felt that healing from the surgery would be better if done prior to radiation.

I had no idea of how bad radiation can be when performed in the head and neck area. We meet with the RO in just over a week. I'm trying to understand why things are done so that I can arm myself with the questions that I might not have thought of had I not listened to others who have gone through this before.

I'm not into surprises and I want a very clear understanding of what we about to go through. Maybe a part of me was thinking that the worst was behind us and I just didnt want to accept the fact that we have to go through another difficult leg of this journey.

Today is not a good cancer day for me. I worked in the yard and Dad always came and worked with me, but today I did it alone. I miss him, yet he's still here.

Thank you all for your responses. They have helped.