Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) P16+

Hi Dave. Just joined the group and enjoy your posts. I was diagnosed earlier this month with p16+ and am 45 years old. Surgery will be next week and most likely radiation. So to say the least, going through some changes.

I had SCC on the base of my tongue and a couple of lymph nodes in the fall of 2020. I had chemo and proton radiation, since have had multiple cleans scans.

I wrote a blog during my experience (non-revenue generating) if you would like to review it. You can read it at:
https://stevefleurysblog.com/2020/10/29/part-1-the-beginning/
More importantly, my wife wrote a wonderfully insightful post of lists and non-advice advice.
https://stevefleurysblog.com/2021/01/05/lists-and-non-advice-advice/

Thank you Steve. I enjoyed reading. Many of your thoughts and emotions in the beginning are quite familiar. I too have a wonderful family which is everything. I could not tell if yours was p16+ or not?

Yes, the cancer was caused by the HPV-16 virus.

I go to surgery next week. Doctors seem very optimistic so I'm pretty much riding on that at this point. I'm 45 and pretty healthy. Ready to start a plan of action as opposed to thinking about it all the time.

Hello @brad78 and welcome to our group. I was around your age when I went through a similar bout with SSC. My daughter was about eleven at the time. About four weeks into radiation, she tucked me into bed and read Harry Potter chapters to me.
You wouldn't be normal if you were not scared. Your life is meeting one of those big life events and the unknown is overwhelming at times. Fortunately there have been many advances in the treatments of Head and Neck Cancer, particularly with HPV16+ type where the success rates have soared. As long as your doctors and radiologist have previous experience with SSC, you should have little to worry about other than the treatment and healing trip you are about to enjoy.
Two tips for now. One, you might inquire about a feeding tube as you may have difficulty to eat temporarily, and two, you may find it difficult if not impossible to work for the last ten radiotherapy treatments and for about two or three weeks afterwards. In fact it will take many months if not years to get to your new normal.
But hey, my daughter is all grown up now and I'm living the crazy life. You can do this.
Reach out to me or anyone in this group if you have questions. We often have more experience than the physicians who often have no experience from the patient's point of view. Courage.

Your comment about her reading the books got me. My daughter is so compassionate and caring as well. I will say that the doctors I have are among the best so I have a lot of confidence there. I guess it's just the knowing the test of a lifetime is coming. For some reason, people tell me I'll look back on this and be appreciative of it. Curious what your thoughts are?

I don’t know if you will be appreciative of having cancer but I would agree with many that it can be a life changing experience, for the better that is. After this, many of life’s problems or work issues will seem trivial to you. My enjoyment of life increased considerably.
Test of a lifetime perhaps. Battle it is to be certain. A fight no one wants or wishes upon others. Just take it one day at a time, two steps forward and one step back as they say. You got this.
Can you keep me updated?

I absolutely can. At the dentist now getting cleared for possible radiation. Next Wednesday is operation. Here we go...

Wish you the best for a successful surgery.