Sandy, I agree that getting cancer is a crap shoot. Unfortunately for you and I, and the rest of us, the dice didn't go our way. I'm also an M. D. Anderson "graduate." Since my treatment ended in November of 2003, not all of my lifestyle choices have been in my best medical interests either. Just remember that alcohol and tobacco have a synergistic relationship in terms of carcenogenisis. I hope that if nothing else, you can find a way to lose the tobacco habit. As a former cigarette smoker, I can say that in all seriousness and sympathy. And now I've said it.

-Brett

Base of Tongue SCC. Stage IV, T1N2bM0. Diagnosed 25 July 2003.
Treated with 6 weeks induction chemo -- Taxol & Carboplatin once a week followed with 30 fractions IMRT, 10 fields per fraction over 6 more weeks. Recurrence October 2005.