Minnie,

I too, am dealing with another round of treatment. My doctor wants to do a 2nd neck dissection (same side, just lower) because of a swollen node that popped up in the last 3 weeks. A needle biopsy last week was inconclusive and showed atypical dysplasia. He is aggressive and wants to get everything out. If pathology after surgery shows any cancer, it will be chemo for me too about 6-8 weeks postsurgey. Let me tell you, it is no fun to throw up with our "changed" throats and minimal saliva. I won't go into a description but you can imagine! I had chemo before with the radiation and am not looking forward to losing my hair again but it does grow back.

I can relate to all your emotions right now - I just started back to college this fall and was perfectly happy and then boom - the hammer fell last week- now I'm trying to take the first round of tests in my classes with this huge distraction and wondering if it's even worth trying to keep up with the classes because it's going to take at least 5 years to get my degree it dietetics/nutrition - I want to work with head/neck patients. So in my dark moments, I tell myself I probably won't even be here in 5 years but that darkness doesn't last more than a few minutes and I pick myself back up. Like you, I have a great husband and as you said, I'll be damned if I'm going anywhere and let someone else have him! Let's both have a good day!

Pam