Hi everyone,
Just thought that I would share my story if it would help anyone else.
On 14 July 2020 a large lump appeared on my neck overnight. Not painful, hard or causing any problem, just there!
After a nasendoscopy, I received the diagnosis of T2 N1 M0 right tonsil squamous cell carcinoma.
I had my right tonsil removed and a biopsy of my tongue.
Treatment was offered, but in my case, the specialists could not agree on the course of treatment to follow so they advised me of everything and asked me to make the decision. I opted for surgery and radiotherapy (Treatment in medical terms was Transoral laser resection and neck dissection followed by adjuvant radiotherapy). After 9 hours in surgery and 33 sessions of radiotherapy I continue to be clear and no signs of recurrence.
It's not been all plain sailing but I took the attitude of dealing with each stage as it happened, rather than think of the whole big picture. I followed the advice given by the Consultants, Specialists, Doctors, Nurses during the journey and focused on overcoming each hurdle as it happened.
Macmillan Late Effects clinic have been invaluable with their help, advice, guidance and support.
Despite having all of my diagnosis, surgery and treatment in the middle of a global pandemic I could not fault any of the staff that make up the NHS.
I have several side effects of the treatment that I am coming to terms with that will probably be with me for the rest of my life. Many are now irritating annoyances that I just have to put up with, like reduced saliva, changes in certain tastes, mild lymphodema to name a few, but I am still here and ready to face this new chapter in my life called retirement.
I am more than happy to answer any questions regarding any aspect or part of this chapter in my life if it would help anyone else who is facing the same journey.
There are few here who have had TORS and RT plus a neck dissection. Glad to hear you are well and coping with side effects. I’m 31/2 years down the line and practically as I was before; just a little less saliva but managing pretty well
Dani
Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019
Great to hear your doing well..keep it up butt 
I am more than happy to answer any questions regarding any aspect or part of this chapter in my life if it would help anyone else who is facing the same journey.
A really useful thing to do would be to copy paste the rest of your post into your profile. That way anybody can see where you are at a glance rather than trying to find this thread or asking you to go over it all again.
Dani
Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019
Hi Dordio. I picked this up from your other post
You can try adding ice cream to the Fortisips. There are loads of high calorie high protein shake recipes if you Google. If you add nut butter to any it loads up the nutrition
I don’t know how you cope with protein this way without a stomach it sounds like a job for a dietician
You might consider buying a nutribullet to just liquidise everything
I've tried Nutricia and Fortisip/Juice drinks etc and they are - in my humble opinion anyway - VILE! I struggle to get even one 200ml bottle down me, let alone the 2-3 that I need in a day! I wonder, is there anyone 'out there' who has found a way to disguise the awful taste/texture of these supplements? I'm also struggling to find anything that I can eat/like to eat that is calorie crammed and that may help me to at least control my weight.
Dani
Base of tongue cancer. T2N0M0 6 weeks Radiotherapy finished January 2019
