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← Return to HPV Tonsil cancer: I'm very nervous about chemo and radiation
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HPV Tonsil cancer: I'm very nervous about chemo and radiation
Head & Neck Cancer | Last Active: 2 days ago | Replies (37)Comment receiving replies
I also had HPV+ tonsil cancer and was scared to death about the treatment but after much research and consultation ended up having 35 radiation sessions and 6 chemo (cisplatin). The treatment was challenging as you've heard by now but absolutely tolerable. I also had a feeding tube put in before any treatment started and was grateful that I did. Presently six months post treatment and loving life! Yes the first few months after treatment is not fun and I still have some side effects but overall I feel MUCH better and thank my team of doctors every day for saving my life. Not piling on just sharing my experience. I wish you all the best. BTW I'm a 64 year old male.
Replies to "I also had HPV+ tonsil cancer and was scared to death about the treatment but after..."
@johnbonani Thank you John, I'm new to this whole adventure. I had HPV cancer in my rt tonsil and one lymph node. I had surgery and 25 rounds of radiation. I'm one and a half weeks out from radiation. Food is horrible to the point it's indescribable. All I can eat is Chicken soup, oatmeal, and Cream of Wheat. I drink Boost as well. I'm on Fentanyl patches currently. My dry mouth is a big issue, but not as much as the food problem. I'm still swollen in the area and hopefully that will go down. I'm still going to the gym and working out so that's a good thing. My wife is at her wits end not knowing what to feed me. Chinese Egg Noodle Soup is a big winner. I just bought a new pizza oven when all this happened. Oh boy, no eating pizza for a while. Thank you for sharing your story to guys and girls like me who are just beginning this ordeal.
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Mine was tongue cancer but my exp was very similar to yours. Love my food tube. I never had to struggle with nutrition or hydration. I feel like my Mayo Rochester doctors saved my life and have given me my best quality of life going forward. All of my OTs and nurses taught me how to manage my lymphedema and radiation fibrosis going forward.