Hi Everyone --

Barry and I are leaving for Australia in four hours, the long-anticipated trip postponed from last year as he was dx'd, as many of you know, three weeks before we were to fly out. He told everyone, "I WILL see you in 2006" -- a promise to himself that he would get through the ordeal -- and he did. So we are repeaing our plans for three+ weeks of birdwaching in the rainforests and deserts of NE and N Australia.

So I won't be posting much (if any) on the Forum until we get back in late August. I may have some email access in some places, but not sure...

For those of you starting treatment, in treatment or just finished --- stick to your dreams and goals, this beast can be beaten!

Best to all,
Gail and Barry
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Barry: D'x 6/21/05, Stage III/IV SCC right tonsil, base of tongue, two lymph nodes, HPV-16+, tonsillectomy then 33x tomoTherapy IMRT radiation + 7x carboplatin, also amifostine, at Johns Hopkins. No further surgery. Finished treatment 9/29. Two PET/CT and many physical exams -- no sign of cancer. Will enter HPV vaccine trial in September.