Hey Kirk!! GET the cancer! I had full right neck dissection, 2/26/04 - 17 nodes removed & have some of the shoulder problems you describe. My shoulder is dropped & tilted forward, but it is getting better & I do expect full recovery with PT & some good old fashioned effort. Really not so bad in the big picture. Definately have the numb ear lobe, but it does seem to be getting better slowly. My big thing is I can't wait to get this damn PEG tube, & PIC line out so I can be fully functional again. I am NOT a couch potato & would love to have all my physical limitations gone so I can just be me, a big strong guy who loves to do construction, home repair of all phases & anything else I put my mind to!! Been self employed for 12 yrs. doing car audio, car security, mobile video, home theater; just about anything to do with 12 volt stuff or audio/video for the home or car. My minds eye sees the future ahead of radiation treatment, chemo & the like. I'm at the end of 2nd week of treatment, 4 to go. The nausea sucks, end of discussion. Still eating orally, but I can feel things changing in throat. Still maintaining weight so far, may have to switch to peg, hate the formula. Sorry to ramble I guess I'm doing some mind clearing. Kirk, make informed decisions & have no regrets. Get on with things. Keep yer chin up bub!