Hi Gary----I have worked at this restaurant for 16 years, and have developed a close relationship with the customers. My diagnosis was very public, and everyone was following my treatment and kind of rooting for me. When you see someone almost everyday for 15 years and then they just disappear, you want to know what is going on. Some people wanted to know why I had this cancer, as they knew I was very health conscious and in very good shape. So I had no problem telling those who asked about the HPV link. Yes, I realize HPV is an STD, but people still get freaked out about stuff like that.
I live in Massachusetts where everyone now is required to have health insurance.

Left tonsil SCC, HPV+. T2N0M0. Tonsillectomy 3-07, bilateral radiation, cisplatin 3x, Tx completed 6-06. Clear PET 4-01-2008.
Thyroidectomy 5-9-08, resulting in permanent surgically-induced hypoparathyroidism and adrenal problems. Bummer.