Tonsil cancer. Anyone not had surgery as part of treatment?

Janene123 said:

Thank you for your reply. I’ll ask him to ask about the salivary gland. It’s caused a lot of him lashing out at me since the plan change, he blames me for not having surgery. Says he didn’t have it because I was so upset. That hurt. I know he is scared. So am I. But we are in the path we are on now and I hope it turns out to be the right one. 
thabk you for you kind words. 
love and hugs

As you say he is scared. I was horrid to my husband on occasions. He just didn’t know how I felt. It’s hard to let people into your pain and you can lash out at the very people you live. 
Once the plan is in place and treatment starts it does get easier in your head. Uncertainty is replaced by the drive to survive. 
HPV positive cancer responds really well to radiotherapy. He’ll get there, you both will

Hi Janene. At times I was horrible to my husband as well. It’s not my nature to be like that but the fear can overtake everyone and everything. Once treatment starts everything falls into place honestly. 
Hazel 

It's very scary and confusing, especially when offered different treatment options.  Which is the best one?  Will it work for me?  etc. etc.

My husband was erring towards the gold standard treatment for me as he was under the impression that one of the nurses was subtly suggesting it would be best.  I however had already resolutely  decided to go with the trial and fortunately he supported me in my choice.

Please rest assured that HPV driven cancers respond extremely well to treatment.

Linda x

Hi. I also.had diagnosis of tonsil cance in left tonsil.  I have had tonsil and most of the cancer removed.  I am about to start 5 weeks of radiotherapy 5 days a week and 2 sessions of chemoin that 5 week period. Mine was slso the HPV16 virus. 

Welcome to the community Zakaroo. Stick around. There’s lots of good advice here. Best wishes. 

Hi im new here i DID have surgery and I think it was the best way. I had tumor on my right tonsil which spread to my right lymph nodes . I had the TORS robotic arm to remove tonsil and tumor and they took away some surrounding tissue to examine. I also had neck dissection and the whole right lymph nodes removed. This was on the 16th december 2021. I had further surgery on the 20th Jan 2022. Surgeon feels confident its all out im just waiting to find out my treatment plan. I was told this type of cancer is quite a rare one. I wish you all the best. I chose to have the surgery as I was told if I had the radiotherapy and chemo my immune system would be shot to pieces and they didn't think I'd make it through surgery. My cancer is at stage 3 hoping its all going to go well. 

Hi Shellywesty and welcome. Sorry to find you hare but there are lots of people to lend you a hand..

I see from your bio  that you are going to have radiotherapy .The treatment is pretty awful but lots of us have survived and thrived and our teams do their best to keep the pain under control. It's worth it.

Oropharyngeal cancer, sadly, isn't that rare any more. I think it's supposed to be the sixth most common cancer in the UK. Most of it is HPV driven and eminently curable, so hold onto that thought.

I had cancer at the back of my tongue which wasn't suitable for surgery so I had six weeks of radiotherapy over Christmas 2018. Many here have surgery and chemoradiation to mop up any stray cells.

Where are you being treated, by the way?

Stick around there's lots of help here

Best wishes

Hey thanks for the message. I live in Leeds I had surgery at the LGI and I think ill be at St James bexley wing for treatment. I don't know what treatment is in line however they removed 6 teeth where the radiotherapy will go through so its highly likely ill be having that Monday to Friday for several weeks. I thought surgery was the hardest part but im petrified of having all the treatment after 

The RT is pants. There’s no doubt about it. I have a few details in my blog linked at the bottom of the post.  RadioactiveRaz is a member here and she was treated at Leeds Cancer Centre. She has a brilliant blog if you click on her name. 
Take heart though. You can keep on top of the pain and there’s light at the end of the tunnel.

Ask away as you progress. There’s too much to take in one go. 
Treatment is one day at a time and you’re through before you know it. 

Hi shellywesty85.

I'm going through the same as you. Imhaving 6 teerh removed on friday. I had surgery 1st December to remove my left tonsil,.

I am.waiting to sart a 5 week course of radiotherapy 5 days a week and 2 sessions of chemo in that 5 week period.

Good luck withbyiur treatment xx