tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3415937412580189741.post5899350925777447354..comments2008-05-17T06:53:14.956-04:00Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00822319387747777385noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3415937412580189741.post-37739786008014811592008-04-30T10:23:00.000-04:002008-04-30T10:23:00.000-04:00I just came across your blog and was stunned...my husband and I went through the same path in October of 2006 and he was patient #75 done by Dr. Weinstein at Penn (or as we like to call him "Obi Wan Kenobi".) The care we received at Penn was SPECTACULAR in all respects and Dr. Weinstein truly has the hands of God. My husband had 1 positive lymph node, but decided against radiation. Here we are, going on 18 months, after a stage III base of tongue cancer, and all is well. You are a courageous man for having done what you've done in raising awareness, and I would urge anyone out there who has tonsillar or base of tongue cancer to have their tumor tested for HPV-16, the same virus that causes cervical cancer. I've done a huge amount of reading and it would appear that there are 2 different types of oral cancer--the kinds that show up in patients who have been hard drinkers and smokers and those that aren't (of which my husband was one.) He was, however, HPV 16+, and this type of oral cancer seems to respond better to radiation and chemo than non-HPV 16+ oral cancer. Johns Hopkins is doing clinical trials and the data are not yet out, but other, more preliminary studies are encouraging. For anyone out there who has just been diagnosed, PLEASE CALL DR. WEINSTEIN or O'MALLEY at UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA. These are the best guys in the WORLD for treating this hideous cancer and they may be able to save your face and your life. Their number is 215-349-5390 and you will speak to Lauren, Tish or Tamika. They are all GREAT! <BR/><BR/>John, keep up the great work, and if I can be of any service to anyone out there who has this terrible cancer, in guiding you through it, please let me know. I was, for many years, a critical care nurse trained at John Hopkins and although I am not an oncology nurse, I now kow much more than I ever want to. God bless you all. TraceyDennyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17333774093966079317noreply@blogger.com