Like I said on 'introduction' page. I was diagnosed with QCC on the base of the tongue by my ENT. Biopsy was taken and diagonis comfirmed a couple days later. From the Dr it is considered a stage IVa. This has been over a month ago (Jan 18th..to be exact). Since then it's been trying to get into see Chemo Dr, Radiation Dr, Dentist and test after test after test like catscans of head and chest (which both slowed up CLEAR), Petscan which showed a little activity in colon, Colonoscopy which took care of a couple polyps. I wear upper dentures and don't have much on bottom...so only a couple root extractions will be needed there.

Now kind of anxious to get this thing started. We've tested enough already. IMO...the clock is ticking and I don't this puppy to spread anywhere else than base of tongue and right lymph nodes where it is for sure NOW. I'm seeing my chemo Dr who seems to be the 'lead' doctor in all this this coming Wed so maybe we're about ready to start the program (I hope immediately)...which is a 'clinical trial' that I've decided to go with which goes something like this:

1. 'Induction' chemotherapy for about 2 cycles of 3 weeks duration using Docetaxel, Cisplatin, and 5-FU (pump).

2. Chemoraidiotherapy using Hydroxyurea and the 5-FU again and RAD treatments TWICE a day for 5 days running. Then a week off, then doing it again for about 4 or 5 cycles. There is the option of doing this part of the treatments as an 'in-patient' at the hospital by going in on a Sunday night and leaving Friday night to go home. Then a week off, then do it again, and again, etc.
I'll probably go this route mainly because I live alone and have nobody to drive me to treatments if I decided to try to be at home and do it. Got the definetly feeling reading posts here that 1) I wil l most lkely NOT be up to the twice daily trips that would necessary and the 'pain meds' that most likely will come into play will prevent the driving myself part, etc.

3. Most likely a neck dissection to rid me of whatever's left there if necessary (probable I'm hearing).

I would be interested in hearing from anyone who has went thru something close to this 'trial'? Any thouhgts of going after it this way? How you faired and what was worst of it? And, I plan on keeping a sort of update going here that I hope helps anyone in the future that may want to know how the treatments affected me. The absolutely FIRST thing I learned about this desease and treatments from research on-line here that is EVERYBODY is different thus EVERYBODY will have different results and side effects, etc. But, if in any way I can help any some questions that some people may have 'going in' I will feel I helped someone else in my situation.

I'm positive I will have questions, concerns or just flat will want to vent along the way.

This will be just one man's fight and story.

Gary O