@planetsunrise & @chebo1954

I didn't tell you the next part I was diagnosed with Tongue cancer on my left side of my mouth on March 1, 2024, and had a left partial glossectomy with a radical forearm free flap surgery on April 3, 2024. It also included a modified radical neck dissection. This one was not caused by HPV and was most likely from too much radiation from my first cancer which was on my left tonsil (2008) as it is literally adjacent to it.

I had hesitated with getting the neck dissection too since I had no cancer in any of my lymph nodes on my pet scan, but I went to the top two cancer clinics who specialize in the head & neck cancer in WI, and both had proposed the exact same treatment option, so I felt comfortable. It was really to make sure the lymph nodes and other sections of the neck all had clear margins thus, I avoided any radiation and chemo additional treatments especially since I had both back in 2008 with my tonsil cancer. In addition, I don't know if I would have accepted any more radiation either since it probably was the cause of my tongue cancer.

Time will tell if it was the right decision in getting the neck dissection. I definitely have some Neck Fibrosis, Lymphedema, Swallowing, Speech issues from it so far in which I have to get PT for. I am in constant research mode to help and improve myself (this forum helps) from all my cancer treatments, I am determined to still find time to get to the gym and lift weights and play softball.

Oh 2024 was challenging as I also ended up having Aspiration Pneumonia (took 7 liters of infection out of my lung cavity) which you are more susceptible to with the tongue surgery, 2 Esophageal Dilations, H.Pylori bacterial infection, viral infection, and finished it off with some skin cancer. But I am on my road back to recovery and cancer free for now.

Good luck on your journey and God speed.