Hello. I am "vintage" 2008. Was 48 at the time. SCC right tonsil. Sorry, I don't know the cause, or radiation type. I did have both tonsils removed, 6 chemo's and 33 radiation. My guess is radiation is more targeted vs 2008. In my case I relied on a feeding tube the last 3-4 weeks for calorie intake.

The important message is 2008! While the journey can be tough, keep your focus on the long term/end game. There are many people on this site who are 15+ years post treatment (I'm pretty certain that includes the site mentors). There are no promises, and how you react to treatment will be an individual thing. But, it's entirely doable.

A few personal tips if I may (have you Drs. verify as I was 2008):
* try as best you can to keep your calorie count and hydration up. Taste changes and swallow issues
during treatment make things tough.
* once you finish and are sufficiently healed, ask about swallowing and stretching exercises (neck). Radiation
is the "gift that keeps on giving". Side effects vary, but I think all long-term survivors will tell you they
experience them in some form.
* assuming 6 months, diagnosis to starting to get back to some normalcy, you are dealing with a relatively
small percentage of your life. You can and will make it through!

Best wishes