Hi Adam. I'm new at this myself, having received a preliminary diagosis on March 26 this year that was confirmed via scan the following day. My diagnosis was very similar to yours.

I was given the option of surgery-before-radiation, with the possibility of chemo-radiation if surgery showed cancer cells had escaped the lymph node. Or I could have just gone the radiation/chemo route based on what they saw in the CT scan, with possible surgical follow-up. I chose the surgery-first option for two reasons. The first was that I just wanted the d***ed tumor out of me, and the second was that the neck dissection would show conclusively whether we had escaped cancer cells - meaning that chemo might not be necessary.

In my case I'm ending up with the trifecta (surgery, radiation and chemo). And I feel pretty good about that because we're throwing everything possible at the cancer. Surgical recovery time was about 2 weeks, although I took 3 off work just to be sure I was fully rested. And it feels really good to have the tumor(s) gone!

I've learned a lot from the folks here about the toxic side effects of chemo-radiation, and that has helped prepare me for what's ahead. You'll get the same great information and support here to help you make your decision. Best of luck.

Wow, Peter!
Sorry to hear you went through this as well.
Here's my worry about surgery. Years ago, I had a horrifying experience with a catheter coming half way out while I was awake. They tried to put it back in but were hurting me. It finally did go in, but I'd prefer never having that inserted again. Can you believe THAT'S one of my fears about surgery?
Did you have to have one?
I also worry about surgery in general but they're proposing robotic surgery and/or laser trans-oral surgery?? I'll know more tomorrow but really appreciate your advice.
Thanks!
adam

HI Adam, glad you found this site. I used to live in L.A., lots of great medical centers out there. Sorry to hear of your diagnosis. It does sound like you have a supportive family and that's important.
It sure is scary. I have always been a "toughie" but this just knocked me off my feet. Still scared as a matter of fact. But there is lots of hope as noted by so many posters on this website.
Good luck to you. Keep us posted.
Denise

Thank you so much, Denise! Big meeting today with the chemo/radiation doctors and surgeon. I'm anxious and nervous to hear what they recommend I begin with, but I'm ready to move forward.
Again, thank you.
Sincerely,
Adam

Hey Adam. I *did* have a catheter, but they neglected to tell me about it. The funny thing about that was that after I got back to my room and tried to pee for the first time it burned like crazy. When the nurse asked what was wrong I told her, and then she told me about the catheter. So for the rest of that night whenever I had to go it was pee a little, tighten up because of the burning, pee a little....you get the picture. Kind of like my Labrador when he lifts his leg on a tree - coming out in spurts.

As to the type of surgery, I was hoping for TORS but they couldn't get the robot without a 2-week delay. Rather than wait I had the TOLM which worked out fine. My surgeon does both and said there are certain advantages to TOLM because using the microscope allows for easier/better viewing of tumor margins.

Hope your consult today went well. Let us know?

How did the meeting go, Adam? Hope all went well!

It went well.
I believe I'm leaning towards doing the surgery first. Take out the cancer. Analyze the tissue and then go for radiation and possibly chemo...but one step at a time.
Thank you for your support!

Sounds like a plan. Good luck!

One step at a time is a daily mantra for me. Your plan is the way I went with my diagnosis, and I haven't regretted it. It just feels good to have that primary tumor gone! Best wishes Adam.

great choice... as long as you are happy with it that's terrific. Best of luck here's to hoping it happens quickly, goes well and you get a favorable pathology report back. hugs!