Tony - I am so glad you are going ahead with the treatment. It can be a rough road but you have lots of help on this site so keep in touch as you get further in the treatment. You will find lots of good ideas to be able to handle anything that comes along. Just knowing what to expect is a big plus. My son did have the 48 lymph nodes removed plus the radiation. After surgery when they took a look at them, and they were found to be all clear. He is about 7 1/2 months post treatment and really doing great. His weight gain is slow but he was a few lbs. over when he started. He can taste everything altho' not with the same intensity and he stays pretty close to his water bottle. When I cook for him I have to make sure it's something "juicy" or accompanied by a sauce or gravy. I can say, now - and I am sure he would agree - that life is good!