Just about to start treatment, hi everyone

Hi Chris 

T2N1M0 Tonsil cancer HPV16+ chemoradio finished in early June 2023.

Good luck with the treatment, it is pretty daunting, though not everyone gets the harsh side effects, some get off relatively lightly, treatment outcome is very good, around 90% success rate.

I was 68 at the start of treatment with a few issues but managed OK, been on some sunshine breaks since finishing....so the treatment is very doable.

Have you been offered a PEG feeding tube? eating can become very difficult after weeks 2-3 of Chemoradio 

Take care and best of luck 

Peter 

Welcome Chris. Glad you’ve already had a look around. Stay with us. You’ll have lots of questions on the way and somebody here will have an answer. We are good at listening here. 
It’s a very challenging treatment but it cures us. 

Hi Peter,

I haven’t been offered the PEG tube yet, but I will have no issues in accepting it if the swallowing becomes an issue. I would personally probably prefer that over the nose tube, which my consultant could probably attest to after she stuck the camera scope up my nose and down the throat several weeks ago

Thanks for the reply and I’ll keep everyone posted as I go along with this.

Thanks Dani

Chris_2024 said:

I would personally probably prefer that over the nose tube, which my consultant could probably attest to after she stuck the camera scope up my nose and down the throat several weeks ago

Honestly. It’s not the same. It’s just fleeting discomfort as it passes through the back of your nose. It’s not as thick as an endoscope. I had one for 8 weeks and it saved me. 
A PEG takes a   couple of weeks to settle for most folk. Something worth thinking about  when you are in enough pain to prevent swallowing. 

Hi Chris, All the best with your treatment, you will be in very good hands, always tell your team of any worries, and let them know of any side effects, they will give you something for them. Any worries or questions just ask, we are here to help. Be assured the treatment does give very high cure rates. Stick with us.

Ray

Hi Chris welcome from me 6 years post chemo and radiotherapy for tonsil cancer with 7 affected lymph nodes. I was 61 when diagnosed it’s. pretty brutal but if I can do it anyone can. Take it one day at a time any questions just ask. We’re a small friendly bunch always happy to help.the n g  tube isn’t that bad I had 2 on treatment and the last one I pulled out myself. Mine was in for 6 weeks. 
Hazel 

Hi Chris and welcome from me.

Looks like you are preparing well for the oncoming treatment and recovery.  It is not easy, but in the end it is worth it.  I would echo Peter E in getting a PEG.  I insisted on one and had absolutely no trouble with it.  I could not face the thought of an NG tube; each to their own.  Neither is right or wrong.  Ask any questions you like, now or during treatment/recovery.  We all have different experiences and someone will have an answer that works for you.

Hi Chris, just completed radio/chemotherapy for tonsil cancer and awaiting all clear, touchwood. The radiotherapy did cause some quite acute side effects, but the oncology team at NUH Nottingham are fantastic. Apparently, success rate of cure is very high (hopefully).

Hi Chris,I had cancer in the left tonsil and they decided against removal because it spread to the pallet and uvula,I had radiation on both sides of neck and Chemo.Had 30 treatments of radiation myself.I chose to eat through the process and glad I did.I am self employed so how hard I worked was up to me though.I worked everyday except chemo days.I was back working 10 hours a day 75 days after treatment ended.The biggest problem I have still is energy,I do get tired at the end of the week.Good luck with treatment