Today was basically nothing but good news.

Tom saw Dr. O'Day, his nose & throat guy who did the biopsy, before seeing Dr. Paul, who would be his chemo guy if he needed chemo.

Dr. O'Day had the results of the biopsy -- it's even earlier stage than suspected, and he DOESN'T recommend either radiation or chemo. He'd be happy to do the necessary surgery -- but has no problem with the fact that Tom will be going to Mass General where they are experienced in preserving a singer's voice while eradicating the cancer.

Tom ain't out of the woods yet, but the prognostication is even better than we've believed the past two weeks.

Now, if he can just get rid of the residual leg aches and pain when walking that is the dregs of the anesthesia. Dr. O'Day said it might take two weeks after the surgery. Because of the location and nature of the surgery, Tom had to be practically paralyzed.

Linn