Tonsil cancer.

Hi I am  over 3 years post radiotherapy for tonsil cancer with several affected lymph nodes. My experience s are detailed in blog below. Which also has links to other blogs.
I had 35 radiotherapy sessions snd 2 out of planned 3 cisplatin chemotherapy. The treatment is hard but if I can do it at 61 anyone can. Please keep of dr google you will scare yourself. Stick to us on here we will help if we can. 
We don’t all get the same side effects but between us we’ve probably had most of them. Try to eat as well as you  can plus let your team know how  you are feeling. Tske everything one day at a time. 
Do you know are you h p v positive ? 
Best wishes Hazel 

I’ll second what Hazel says. 
Have a look at MarkELprofile here. https://community.macmillan.org.uk/members/markel

He has a diary of his progress  which you might find useful 

Thank you. Really kind of you to answer . I’ll have a read.

Thank you. That’s really helpful and kind of you. I’ll have a read.

Hi no problem,it’s hard enough to be told you have got cancer , if we can help just ask. One of us will always try to get back to you.No one wants to join this club ,but here we are .

Hazel

Hi Puliboy

Just saw this post and had to comment as it is exactly the same diagnosis that i had nearly 17 months ago.

I am still here and still cancer free.

I know how shocking it all is to be told you have cancer, but head and neck cancer is definitely one of the more treatable cancers.

Treatment is tough, but manageable and you do recover. I had 30 radio and 6 chemo sessions and while for a while i was on a liquids only diet, i can eat anything now, i ate a massive rib eye just yesterday for example.

Any specific questions please do ask, it may seem a scary journey but many of us have been through it before and are keen to help

Trev

Hi,

I got the same Christmas pressie as you on 22nd Dec 2020!! I started chemo and radiotherapy on 9/2/2021 (my 50th bday). Mine was in right tonsil, soft pallet and lymph node. My advice would be, that every person has their own journey, some heal faster than others, some are able to eat quicker, some need long term pain relief (like me). I would definitely recommend having salt water rinses as this helps to keep the mouth clean and stops oral thrush too.

Lots of people on here that can give advice.  

Xxx

Hi Puliboy and welcome.

You've received some great advice so far for starters. 

As Hazel pointed out, do let your team know how you're feeling as they can prescribe medication to help with side effects.  Very importantly though, do keep on top of any pain meds you're prescribed.  It's much easier to deal with any pain if you take the medication by rote rather than as a reaction.

We've all been through similar so any questions just ask and someone will be able to help.

All the best.

Linda x

Thanks TrevW

Thank you!