just finished watching Oprah. Grant Achatz, the young chef from Chicago who had tongue cancer was on there. His story was featured in several high profile publications a year or two ago. The show itself was about medical mistakes. He talked about how the lesion on his tongue went misdiagnosed for years before a visit to an oral surgeon finally gave him his diagnosis. I know this is the case with A LOT of people on this board. So frustrating. He also talked about his search for an alternate protocol than the usual for stage IV that includes surgery. I believe he did radiation and chemo at University of Chicago (I am not sure if they did anything else). He said he was 1.5 years out and still clear. I wish him the best. He did not mention how horrific radiation is (my husband only had radiation I am sure chemo adds another layer of misery) but it is easy to see he has been through the wringer. He is very thin but does look good.


Wife/CG to husband SCC BOT Stage 1 N0M0. Finished treatment (IMRT x 35) 12/26/06. Doing great now!