Hello

Hi Chris MP welcome to our small community group sorry you’ve found yourself on here. I’m Hazel I am 3 years and 4 month post radiotherapy for tonsil cancer with several affected lymph nodes so you’re in the right place. I am a positive person you will have hard days. The treatment isn’t a walk in the oral I was 62 when diagnosed but if I can do it anyone can. My blog is below it  may help you there’s links to others that may help you as well. 
Are you h p v positive do you know ? 
Any questions just ask we’re a friendly bunch who will always help. 
Hazel xx

Hi Hazel, Thanks for your speedy reply, Yes I am HPV positive. I'll take look at your blog. 

Hi Chris HPV tumours have an excellent response to treatment there’s plenty of us on here to testify that fact. The blog is my experience remember we are all different and don’t all get the same side effects. Stick with us on here we will all try to help. 
Hazel 

Hi Chris, difficult time I'm sure, but there are very many of us on here who've gone down the same (or very similar) well worn path and we're all here to tell the tale. My radio and chemo started in Jan 2014 in fact so it's becoming a bit of a distant memory, you'll get great support on here virtually 24/7 to help you through when you need it. Feel free to ask anything, no such thing as a stupid question.

Hi Chris MP and welcome to the group.  I can't help with the treatment as I've only had surgery but I had similar to you in diagnosis. 

I was diagnosed before Christmas and the initial treatment was, like you in early January.  That was 2 years ago.  It is a worrying time, but these cancers, especially when related to HPV, respond very well to treatment. 

My only advice is enjoy Christmas (Christmas Day 2019 with all the family around me was the only time I broke down - we all do at some stage).  Live life to the full and prepare yourself for a tough period of treatment knowing that next Christmas you will almost certainly be in a much more positive place.  And load up those calories if you are loosing weight!  Best excuse ever for an extra mince pie!

Hi Chris, as Hazel said, welcome to the club! The PEG is annoying, but it will honestly become your best friend as the radiation treatment kicks in and makes it difficult to eat and drink. Like others, you may find the following blog useful; it's not an easy ride, but knowing others have gone through the same definitely helps. Good luck with the rest of the preliminaries and start of treatment. Happy to answer any questions etc that you may have.  Ans https://www.ansonmackay.com/blog 

Hi Chris,

Sorry you find yourself here, but given the circumstances one of the best places to get help. I was diagnosed with hpv+ tonsil cancer, spread to 1 lymph node a year ago. Treatment started end Feb. Aside from a few longer term side effects life is pretty much normal now, been in remission since the summer. 

The PEG will settle, keep the stoma clean and flush it as instructed. Hated mine at first, my best friend in the end. 

Have your fill of all the Christmas goodies, you might not feel like celebrating but the calories are needed. 

If you click on Ronnie95 it will take you to my profile, blog linked in there. As the others say, we all have slightly different experiences. The blog helped me make sense of it all, hope it helps you a little.

Take care, Gill 

Thanks Mike, I didn't expect to get so many helpful & supportive replies. Merry Christmas

Hi Gill, It sounds like i have a similar diagnosis to yours. And its good to hear that you have made such a great recovery and are back to normal for Christmas. Merry Christmas 

Thanks Peter for your advice. Merry Christmas. Chris