Started with a lump on right side of neck, lump removed in August 2023, came back as cancerous, MRI, CT and PET scans to find the primary , didn’t show on scans , October I had tonsils removed , biopsy of the nasal space and base of tongue, primary found in tonsil, due to start 6 weeks of radiotherapy and chemo next Monday starting to get really nervous now.
Hi Visty,
Welcome. This is a safe space peopled by folk that have been through everything that is to come for you. I am coming up to six years clear of treatment and am living really a good life
The treatment is a real challenge but the side effects and pain can be managed and it lasts only a few weeks. Recovery is much longer. My oncologist told me the cancer would take a year out of my life but that he would cure me. It did and he did.
My advice would be to go with the flow. Don't be brave. Tell your teams, RT and Chemo, how you feel every day
Take your pain meds by the clock to keep in front of the pain and keep your weight up. You need protein and calories to heal properly.
Have you been fitted with a feeding tube?
Stay with us. there is always somebody here to talk to. No question is daft and no moan or rant is new....we've all done it
Hugs
Hi and welcome.
I have just finished six weeks of RT following two surgeries. It’s a tough gig but definitely doable. Some advice I was given by my nurse was to throw bravery out the window. If you need painkillers, take them. Soft foods will be easier to swallow and you may need an NG tube to help get nutrition. I managed to eat throughout but I understand how some folk can’t, it’s a struggle. Plenty of fluids and good oral hygiene are a must.
There is lots of advice on here and I’m in the process of updating my profile. Others have finished there with their journey. Hopefully you get some info/advice before starting, you should. 
Hi Visty,
You've came to a great place for advice and support. Unfortunately I didn't know about it until treatment was nearly over, and really wish I'd found out about it sooner as it was great for easing anxiety.
Firstly, no point in sugar coating things. Our treatment (I was 6 weeks radiotherapy and 2 chemo sessions) is tough - sometimes brutally so - but the big positive is that in over 90% of cases it is effective.
You've already had some good advice here in that you're not alone - keep in regular contact with the various teams (and of course on here) around you. They are there for you every step of the way. If you feel meds etc aren't working there are always things they can do to improve the situation for you.
Wishing you all the best for the weeks and months (and years !) ahead, but in the meantime do not hesitate to ask anything 
Ive added this to Loz’s thread too
https://www.ljmc.org/pi_series/pi25_radiotherapy_short_course_hn.pdf
