My husband was diagnosed in Dec. 2001 with squamous cell carcinoma at the base of the tongue(stage 4)and lymph nodes. He has now completed 39 radiation treatments and 2 rounds of chemo. The last treatment was 4 weeks ago. He is scheduled for a selective neck disection on April 22, 2002. The doctors are pleased with the results of treatment...the tumor has shrunk and the also the nodes. He still is not feeling very well and it seems he takes 2 steps forward and then 1 back every few days. He continues to have very thick saliva in his throat and needs to hack it up frequently. Sometimes this process is very hard on him and I see traces of blood in it. Has anyonelse had this and does it go away? He still is using the feeding tube, but tries to eat when he can now. They will also stretch his esophagous when they do the neck disection..that may help his swallowing a little. Any advice or information will be much appreciated. Thanks.