Hello Everyone, Last Year I felt a lump on the side of my neck and like a fool I ignored it. My wife noticed it and immediately sent me to a doctor. I had not seen a doctor in 15 years so he was new to me. He had me scanned then he sent to me to a specialist who performed a biopsy. I was diagnosed with stage 4 Squemous Cell Carcinoma Tonsil Cancer. The specialist sent me to Mayo Clinic in Rochester and advised me to have everything done there, I took his advice. I was in surgery for 9 hours and underwent 7 weeks of chemo/radiation. The chemo was cisplatin and Erbitux. The sores that developed in my mouth were painful beyond anything I could have ever comprehended. They had me on Oxycodone then Fetenyl. I am now recovered (mostly) from the treatment and have had 2 follow up scans, they have cleared me of cancer so far. Some of the things I learned is first off, the caregiver's role is so important. I would not have made it through without my wife. Also there is no reason to be in pain Mayo was on top of it, you just have to let them know. Finally appreciate life and live it to the fullest, I am not taking this for granted, this can come back anytime. I am eating and back to work hopefully I can keep the 86 pounds I lost off. We shall see. Best Wishes to all of you. Dave