Thanks Helen, Joanna, and Minnie. You are all right that things are getting better each day. My husband was discharged yesterday--day 8 from surgery rather than 10-14 as we were originally told. He's doing very well even though we both don't like that trach tube!! Hopefully he won't have to keep it very long.

Thankfully Scott has a very good attitude because there are several things we've got to come to terms with post-surgery. He has paralysis of right side of face--the largest tumor had infiltrated nerves and even bone of the skull near the ear. So he barely blinks that eye (amazing he can at all) and docs said later they'll implant a tiny gold piece to outer corner of lid to help it shut when he wants to shut it. Anyone ever heard of this? I wonder when all this is behind us how much he will be able to control speech (he will be getting a prosthesis for palate later, but paralysis will cause slurring, right?). Also, we got some scary news the day before leaving the hospital: although preliminary pathology done while my husband was in surgery looked good, further testing shows that some bone from hard palate area is questionable. The word "cancerous" wasn't used, but the doc said tumor board would discuss the case today, then in 3-4 weeks they may have to remove another piece of bone for further biopsy confused We were very disappointed and confused and didn't ask a lot of questions at the time, but I do remember the doc saying "a total paletectomy is not an option" and "maybe radiation" and more chemo will take care of it IF there is still more cancer. So, we are holding fast to the thought that they removed all the cancer, but if not, that this is still treatable. The one thing the doc said that is keeping me from panicking about this was, "This is not the best news, but it's not the worst news either. Let's cross each bridge when we get to it." We go back to have 104 staples removed next week, and I don't even know what to ask about all of this. My husband has done so wonderfully--what a great attitude he has, and he is regaining strength each day (the doctors said, Don't overdo it!!!) Scott is trying so hard to stay upbeat. It has been 14 months since finding that one tiny cancer spot in his mouth, and now look where we are. It has happened so fast. I try to be positive, but I cannot help but worry.

I ask that you all keep him in your prayers. We are very appreciative and thankful for all you do!!

Christine

Wife of Scott: SCC, Stage I retromolar 10/02--33 rad; recurrence 10/03--Docetaxol, 5FU, Cisplatin; 1/04 radical right neck, hard palate, right tonsil; recurrence 2/04--mets to skin and neck; Xeloda and palliative care 3/04-4/04; died 5/01/04.