Hi all, thanks for welcoming me into this community. I am new to this world. I was diagnosed with hpv tonsil cancer last month with a nearby swollen lymph that didn’t show as cancerous in any scans but caused some obvious concern. Tumour is stage 2 but as it seemed to be a contained tumour it was agreed surgery would be worth a try first so we can biopsy the equivocal lymph node. Then chemoradiation or just radiation if needed (or possibly no further action but not sure how I feel about this). Anyway, I’m 5 days post surgery and in agony but the inability to swallow is driving me mad and I’m rapidly losing weight that I can’t afford to lose. I choke or spray everywhere. I really don’t want a tube and can’t even stomach ensures. Any tips to get swallowing back on track as quickly as possible?
Hi Sarah and welcome from me too.
I didn’t have a tonsillectomy but many people here did and all reported that it took two weeks before they were comfortable
What pain relief are you on? If you’re trying with just the usual paracetamol and/or ibuprofen give your GP a ring to get some high strength cocodamol.
Let us know how you get on
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
Hi Sarah - sorry you find yourself here, but it is an invaluable group and where I've found out so much invaluable insight and support!
I had my (left) tonsil removed on 5 May - my consultant wanted to whip the whole thing out instead of a biopsy, then sent it to the lab. It was HPV+ (which is much more responsive to RT) and a T3 (1 lymph slightly bigger but not big enough) . I'll be starting my treatment next Monday, 4 July (6wks RT and 2x Cisplatin infusions). The oncologist & consultant said any potentially dodgy lymphs will be blasted with the RT.
An adult tonsillectomy (although referred to as a minor op) is extremely painful in recovery. You'll probably be aware that pain (massively) increases from day4 and mine subsided around day 8. So sounds like you're in the eye of the storm right now! In those days I set my alarm to ensure I was taking painkillers every 4 hours, throughout the 24hr period. I did paracetamol, 2 hours later ibuprofen, codeine during the evening/ night (as they made me sleepy). But I found 1 codeine also helped in the morning as pain was worse for me morning and middle of the night. Don't chase the pain, stay ahead of it and take your meds before it's horrendous. You will feel loads better in a couple of days - promise!
I had soups, smoothies, scrambled eggs, overcooked pasta (slips down easily) cooked in a stock cube with cheese on top (tomato sauces too acidic, so I had green pesto and gallons of olive oil!) ... and loads of tea and water.
Keep us posted - you'll be a lot better in 2 or 3 days, then you can start shovelling in more calories 
Helen x
An adult tonsillectomy (although referred to as a minor op) is extremely painful in recovery.
I can vouch for that, had my right tonsil removed in 2013, absolute bloody agony!!
Was fortunate that my GP had had a tonsilectomy himself just a short while before mine, so he was very sympathetic and gave me lots of stuff to throw at it.
Hi Sarah, welcome to the community, nobody really wants to be here but it's a great place to be when you need it.
Metastatic SCC diagnosed 8th October 2013. Modified radical neck dissection November, thirty-five radiotherapy fractions with 2xCisplatin chemo Jan/Feb 2014. Recurrence on larynx diagnosed July 2020 so salvage laryngectomy in September 2020.
Exactly! And don't worry, a few days of light/ little food won't be too bad and you'll be able to start eating more calories soon. I've been eating well the last month and probably put some weight on (even in the last week!) Drink loads of water. It'll sting in the next few days as the scabs start to come off (yuck!) but all totally normal 
Helen x
