New to forum and Cancer

Hi I’m 6 years post tonsil cancer welcome to the club none of us wanted to join. . Don’t worry about surgery our cancers  are usually  treated with gold standard chemo radiotherapy. Treatments hard I was 61 but if I can do it do can you . You’ve found us here so stuck with us we will hold your hand. Was hpv mentioned ? It’s usually that that causes tonsil cancer. Ps it’s ok to be scared we all have get there. Don’t fear treatment we have an excellent cure rate. 
my blog below might help. 
Hazel xx

Hi Ned 

Next time you log in you’ll probably find quite a few posts offering you comfort help and support. 
The bottom line is that most tonsil cancer is caused by Human Papilloma Virus which is very sensitive to radiotherapy. Cure rates are in excess of 90%
That should at least give you reassurance that the treatment is worth doing. 
There’s no hiding the fact that this treatment is a real challenge but it doesn’t last forever. 
You’re bound to be scared. You have little idea of what’s going to happen and you’ll imagine all sorts. Please leave Google alone. Stay with us and we will prop you up and help you through. 
I’m over five years clear and ticking over really nicely. 

Hi Hazel. thank you for such a speedy response.  I am still getting my head around it all and yes they said Chemo/Radiotherapy would be the best way forward.  Yes I am P16 positive (apparently that is good) and my measurements are T3N2 (does not mention M).  I am grateful for you sending me your blog, I will look at it over the weekend and I apologise in advance for any and all questions that I will undoubtably post over the coming weeks/months,

Once again, thank you and enjoy your healthy weekend

Best

John

PS

have a look at Mark’s profile. He has a detailed diary of his journey. 
MarkEL 

Dani

Thank you - I was never going to go on google.......

And you are right about the support - to which I am most grateful

Best

Hi John 

I'm 16 months post CRT for HPV16 plus Tonsil cancer, tough gig ahead for you, plenty of sound advice and support from the posters on this forum...you are certainly not alone, keep the forum updated with your treatment progress... always someone around.

Take care and best of luck 

Peter 

Hi, John, welcome to the group from me. It's only natural to feel scared and confused, however you don't have to feel lonely, we are all here to help and answer any questions you have. the treatment although it's not easy it is very effective which gives high cure rates of approx 90%. As for the side effects, we are all different, so they affect us in different ways, your team will give you medication for them along the way. I would advise if you are offered a feeding tube ie RIG or PEG, to have one, they can be a lifesaver, many on here would agree. Once you get started with your treatment, you will feel better about the whole thing. Stick with us, we're here to help when you need it.

Ray.

Hi John and welcome.  I'm sorry you have had to find yourself here, but you are not alone.  We will all be here to help and support each other. I was in a similar position as yourself, I too went in alone (I told hubby not to bother as we were originally told, "we are 99.9% sure that it is nothing") when I had my original examination.  This was before they had the results from the biopsy.  I also was bombarded with all sorts of information, introduced to so many people, surgeon, nurses, consultants and given so many leaflets.  I came on here and introduced myself and had a very warm welcome from everyone on here.  The people on here are kind, caring, compassionate and supportive and someone will always answer any questions you may have.

I am due on the 11th Nov to have my first RT/CT sessions and I am scared of the side effects too.  I am not too worried about the actual treatments just that I have seen and heard so much about the side effects, but I come on here, voice my concerns and the kind people here always manages to make me feel better.  To know you are not alone is great, you know that people know exactly how you feel and are not just giving you platitudes . . . they have lived it.

Take care, we will all get through this together.

Hugs

Hazel x

Hi John and welcome from me.  You probably have more than enough info to digest from the previous posts so I will leave it there and just say that if you want we have your back!

To all my new found compatriots; I would just like to say a BIG thank you to you for firstly reading my post and being thoughtful and kind enough to respond.

I did not know what I was thinking or doing last night when I wrote my post, I am a 60 year old living alone (wife passed away 5 years ago and my two children are living their own lives) and I felt very odd, alone and needed to say something.  I did not expect such a speedy and welcomed response, and you all really lifted my spirits.  i was dreading telling my two children (as they lost their mother a few years back), but because of you I was able to do so. with a more confident message about treatment and recovery info. and it can only now get better from now on.

Today is Day 1 of my recovery, and it is clear to me now, that recovery means more then CRT or surgery, it means being in the right frame of mind to get through this, and a clear set of reasons for doing so and that is where you and this forum comes in - We are all an essential part of our treatment.

I will post back on here as often as I can, I will ask stupid questions (for which i apologise in advance) and I will share my journey along the way in the hope that it may help others, just as you are helping me,

Have a wonderful weekend and please do not underestimate what your posts last night meant to me

Best

John