Hi John
I finished 7 wks radiation and 7 rounds of chemo in January 2024. My right tonsil cancer (hpv 16) was only at a stage 1, but had metastasized to a lymph node in my neck, so surgery was not an option. I had a feeding tube installed before treatment, and had it removed by June; I had started the long process of eating by mouth maybe a month or so out from treatment- late removal was mostly due to scheduling...I also had to wean off painkillers which were administered thru the tube. I've been cancer free almost a year and a half now. I do have chronic lymphedema in my neck which I treat daily with a FlexTouch compression suit. Pretty hassle free. Treatment is tough, but I found my team (oncologist, radiologist, tech team, lab team, palliative care, speech and physical therapists) to be super and majorly supportive. I trusted them to get me through the process and they didn't let me down...neither did my husband and family and friends. One thing to remember: be patient with your body and mind thru recovery. It takes many months to recoup your strength. The mental game can be challenging, but once you survive cancer treatment and the disease is gone you can pretty much do anything!