Having read through hubby's medical records several times I can only pass along what we have found.

1) Reading xrays/scans is an art as well as a science and very often no two people will read them the same.

2) Xrays/scans can show something one time, be interpreted direly, be retaken in a couple of months and be fine. (We've had this happen several times, esp. with the lung issues - same here on the smoke/drink past)

3) They told hubby he wouldn't be able to raise his arm above his shoulder height after the surgery. He did almost immediately and still has lost very little function. He lost the spinal accessory nerve as well as the muscle but was in good physical shape.

4) The taste will return...it takes time. You can see hubby's recovery chart on our website (in sig).

5) Losing weight can come from many things. If he quit drinking substantial amounts just prior to his dx, then that is part of it. Another is that the treatment takes many more calories in order to help the body heal. Hubby needed almost 3000 calories a day just to maintain during his rads.

DON'T PANIC!!!! Sending you hugs....