Hello again......I'm back ;)

I've finaly done something I've been telling myself to do, for waaay too long. I first joined this group back in the summer of 08, after completing my treatment for stage four, base of tongue, squamus cell cancer. I kept in touch until the summer of 09, when low & behold, my computer was hit by a virus, followed quickly by my own bout with swine flu. I recovered, my computer didn't. I'm glad it wasn't the other way around! Anyhoo....My computer was replaced, and I eventually got my strength back. During the commotion of replacing my home computer, I lost track of my log-in and password. I've told myself to be content with just lurking, however I've felt guilty at times, knowing that perhaps sharing some of my experiences could help some of you. Those of you regulars that are constantly helping others deal with our "issues" have my humble gratitude. While I haven't contributed in a long time, I have been following pretty closely for the last 3 years. It hurts to see so many newcomers...but then I feel good that they have found such a wonderful source of support and information. I wish my dear husband would have known about this site during my treatment days. We made it through the rough times with the support of a wonderful loving family and a terrific team of doctors. All that said, I'll wrap this up with a quick summary of "me".
I was diagnosed on 9/21/07 at the age of 58. (non smoker/ very light drinker).I had no symptoms, other than a swollen lymph node on the left side of my neck. A doctor had felt it several times and felt it was "nothing to worry about". After more than six months, the same doctor asks me if I'm worried about the same swollen spot, and silly me say's "not really..you said not to." His response was "Well, now you should be". Within the week I had my diagnosis.
My treatment was like most here. Three rounds of Cisplatnin, and radiation from Oct 1st to around the middle of Dec.(twice on Fridays) They hit me hard, and a lot of that time I was hospitalised. Fortunatly the hospital and cancer center are about 15 minutes from our home.
In late January they did a disection on my left side, removing a lot of nodes. They all came back clear. Well over a month later, after a sudden onset of extreme pain, they diagnosed me with a massive staph infection, near the surgery site. They tell me today, my life was more at risk during the next month than it was during my chemo/radiation treatment. That was about another month of hospitalization. I am left with massive fibrosis, from ear to ear, although worse on the left side. No one seems to know if the infection had anything to do with it or not. Also...lots of swallowing issues that I deal with on a daily basis. I am back to work full time (love my job...but that's another post...this is already way too long!) Seems now that I've started....it's hard to stop
I look forward adding my imput whenever I feel I can help, and I admit to looking forward to asking for some opinions on dealing with issues I have from time to time.
I will be going in for Cat's & scopes in a couple weeks. I plan to share all my good news with all of you!
Fondly,
Judy