Well this doesn't sound much fun

Hello. I am 8 months post treatment for tonsil & lymph node hpv positive. I had bilateral tonsillectomy plus part of tongue removed in Jan. Then PEG fitted followed by 6 weeks of chemoradiation. 30x radio & 6 x chemo. You will need pain meds for a few days after your PEG fitting - it takes a while to settle. I used mine for feeding, hydration & meds from week 4 of treatment & had it removed in June. Treatment is challenging. Take the painkillers etc that your team offer. Take laxatives to combat the side effects of the pain meds!! Have you had your mask made yet?This is a great forum - ask any questions & someone will always have an answer. 

Thanks Blod for the advice

Yes had the mask fitted before Christmas (which may have been a mistake as it may be even tighter now!)

My husband has locally advance cancer of the base of mouth, under the tong, back of tong and lymph node. He has had 3 rounds of induction chemo from October to now and is due to start radiotherapy and chemo like you but starting on the 3rd. 

Hes not one for forums, in fact they would scare the heck out of him but I do get a lot out of this and can see that there are some really great people supporting us. I tend to drip feed him with some of the feedback I’ve seen on here.

wishing you all the best with treatment, you and my husband will almost be in line , him just a week ahead. Hopefully we can support one another through this journey 

take care

Hi Chemo Chaos, the first don't is don't look on Dr google it is full of outdated info .at best, dos are always do what your team tells you. they are there to cure you. There is great hope of getting back to a normal life, head and neck cancers are very treatable with good cure rates, there are many on here who have had this treatment and here to tell the tale, including myself, I'm now 5 years post treatment. The treatment is not easy, and comes with side effects, although you will not get them all, some people get very few. We are all here on this site to help, so if you have any worries, ask on here someone will always help if they can. All the best.

Regards Ray.

Hi And welcome. NYE? Yes go for it if you can but just to warn you that your PEG is likely to be uncomfortable or even painful for a little while till it settles. 
My advice, based on personal experience, is to not be brave. If you are hurting take your pain killers by the clock. If they aren’t helping tell your radiographers who will be your daily contact. Take your laxatives if you are on opiates. Take your anti nausea meds and if they aren’t working say so. In fact take everything they give you. If you can’t swallow use the PEG. 
Take it day by day. Be kind to yourself. Rant rave and cry if you need to. 
It’s doable but hard. I managed at 68 and I’m nearly four years clear. 
You’ll do it. 
Stay with us. There are lots of people to help you along. 
Oh and leave Google alone. 

Hi Chemo chaos. Welcome to the club that none of us want to join. I’m 4 1/2 years post-radiotherapy for tonsil cancer with seven affected lymph nodes. I to have 35 radiotherapy sessions and two of a three chemo, chemo or cisplatin and it was done by a 10 hour infusion Treatment is hard but it is doable. If I can do it anyone can my blog below might help you, it’s got some hints and tips there any questions that I was one of us that would be happy to help as for New Year’s Eve yeah go out and enjoy yourself with your peg as Dani says I’ll probably be hurting a bit I didn’t have a peg. I had a NG tube fitted week 3/4 of treatment. It was a lifesaver to me. My advice is if you need it use it straight away pain medication keep on top of  before you know it, you’ll be ringing the bell at the end of it. 
hazel x

Hi

I'm 4 years post treatment for tonsil tongue and lymph node cancer...the treatment isn't easy but very doable...the success rate is high and I am now back to a normal life...I had both chemotherapy and radiotherapy which does bring it's problems but all of these will fade over time.

Good luck and you have got this

Chas 

Thank you all for your kind words & support. I have no doubt I shall have loads of stupid questions moving forward.

Peg was successfully fitted yesterday - man that was painful last night but much worse to come by the sounds of it! According to you lot NYE is a GO!!! (cancer suffers clearly like to party) 

Stay safe all & wishing you all the very best for 2023 x

Chemo Chaos said:

I have no doubt I shall have loads of stupid questions moving forward.

No questions are stupid. Keep them coming and enjoy your party. Just watch the painkiller alcohol combo

Hi Tomba

Thank you for your reply, wishing you & Mr Tomba the very best (the first one clear gets the beers in!)

ATB CC