Thanks everyone! I am still quite miserable, but getting better every day.
No, the lymph node cannot be removed without disfiguring my face. The c-word has actually spread to both sides of my neck, in both lymph nodes. They got the polyp on the vocal cord, which has been determined to be the source of the problem.
The doctors said that I should only require radiation treatments, and no chemo. I will find out when I see the doctor who operated (my old buddy, Dr. Weeks) on Tuesday, and the oncologist on Wednesday. Thursday I meet with the heart surgeon to discuss the upcoming valve replacement. Oh, what joy!
Thanks for bumping my thread, too! I can use all the support I can get.