Hi everyone - my name is Karen and I was diagnosed with throat cancer a couple of months ago. I had surgery 3 weeks ago where they removed my left tonsil, and part of my throat and surrounding muscle. The surgery was hard and the pain was awful but I got through it. What has broken me is that I went to see the oncologist today and they haven’t been able to remove it all so I need radio and chemo - I knew it was highly likely - I think they said there was an 80% chance I would need it, but I just can’t stop crying and feeling so down about it. I am usually such a strong person and I’m always the one holding everyone else up and it’s just not like me at all. I have to see the dentist at the hospital tomorrow as they think they need 3 x teeth removing as well before they start radiotherapy - I’m just fed up with not all. I know there is no real alternative but it has really hit me hard.
Hi Kazzy, I hope you're ok. I know it's 2am but I can't sleep. You are doing a grand job with everything that you have gone through. I know it's easy for me to say but keep as strong as possible. You can do this. I know radiotherapy isn't great but will prolong your life.. any extra chance at life is good right!? X hugs to you. Positive thinking 
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Hi Karen. Sorry to see you here but stick with us. There are lots of people here who have waked the same path, have survived and thrived. I am five years clear of this and living a good life.
There is no sugar coating this. The treatment is hard but hold onto the fact that cure rates are in excess of 95% if your cancer is HPV driven.
All the side effects can be mitigated. The treatment doesn't last forever. It's a few weeks out of your life and a year to recover properly.
I was just talking with a friend about this. The hardest part is to trust your body and soul; to hang onto your sanity; to be patient and know you will get better. Trust your medical team. They do this every day and are good at it.
You will get there, through the pain the tears and the odd meltdown there is a great life at the end.
Dani
Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019
I wrote a blog about my cancer. just click on the link below
https://todaymycoffeetasteslikechristmasincostarica.com
Good evening Kazzystar, well done in getting through the operation as i know how difficult and worrying it can be, i was like you after my first operation where they were not sure they had removed all the tumour , my consultant said to me that if you imagine pulling up a plant there is a likelihood that some of the roots will be left behind so the radiotherapy is done to improve the chances of getting rid of any stray cells. I know the thought of losing some teeth is annoying but for radiotherapy to be successful they have to remove anything that is in the way of the targeted area so hopefully they will try and keep as many as possible, also if they are not removed it can cause further issues later down the line. Try not to be to disheartened as it will all be worth it in the end despite the side effects that might some discomfort, we are all different in the way we react to radiotherapy and hopefully, like me, you will not suffer that badly. Mine was done in 2008 and procedures along with the cure rate have improved with better-targeted radiotherapy keeping discomfort to a minimum. Stay strong and take each day as it comes, take care.
Chris x
Its sometimes not easy but its worth it !
Hi jazzy well lease don’t be scared things will turn out fine, it’s a long haul I’m 14 months on from my squamous cell carcinoma in my left jaw, jaw taken and replaced by my right fibula, I had six 
eeks radiotherapy, luckily no chemo but yes it’s a lng haul but soon goes and everything goes towards prolonging your life, I’m still waiting for reconstructive dentistrybut I vs,ie my life a lot an enjoy each and every day, good luck be positive, and strong you’ll get through it as we have all done here ️
‘Kazzy sorry about spelling x 
