Although I am a health professional, I am at a complete loss on how to get through the pain of having the person you are emotionally closest to given a diagnosis of cancer (especially when you told him...you don't have cancer)... Of course, that was ever the wishful thinking on my part, he may never listenn to me again. Actually, he did keep going to the doctor, which I kept encouraging and urging..and for that I am thankful.

Now we are left with the rawness of this new diagnosis. The first doctor hasn't said too much...T-1, Squamous Cell. Options are radiation, maybe surgery...talk to the oncologist. Of course, the fact that his neck/lymph node has been swollen for many months prior to the actual diagnosis and that he has complained of back pain absolutely scares me...but I also know that until there are further studies, we won't know if it has metastisized anywhere else. The unknown is SO hard.

I found this site and am glad that at least there is a site that caregivers can come for questions and comfort. I am sure I/we will visit it often, as we go through our journey of treatments. I have probably visited every known Head/Neck site known to man and read WAY too much information....but knowledge is king.

I want to learn as much as I can so that he has to worry as little as possible, and so that I can give as much support as I can to this wonderful man that I love.

My heart goes out to all of you who have been where I am, have forged through, and are standing on the other side as survivers. Pray that this will be the case for us.