I'll chime in for what its worth.
Now 6 months out of chemoradiation treatment, no surgery , for HPV P16+ tonsil cancer with 1 lymph node and feel as though I've come out of it mostly unscathed in comparison to some others that have been through treatments for a similar cancer diagnosis, T2N1M0 was mine.
Was probably closer to T3 by the time treatments actually started as 3 mos. elapsed between diagnosis and start of treatment.
Long story there but got handed off from the VA to the public sector..
It may sound gross but the tumor was midway across and down my throat quite a bit.
Was getting very anxious from the long wait as the tumor was growing fast.
My extensive research into this particular cancer and the many many trials for it led me to believe
that the full treatment of 7 chemo and 35 radiation sessions was no longer relevant in todays world for my case in particular. And 7/35 was the oncologist's plan for me.
I let my oncoligists know I was aware of these trials and didn't want one more treatments than absolutely necessary.
That and was also aware of the rather new NavDx blood test which I wanted to make use of in the event treatments became too difficult as I wouldn't be going the feeding tube route.
So , after 3 chemo cesplatin days and 24 (48gy) radiation sessions my goose was cooked and stopped treatments ,asked for the blood test. The cesplatin really took a toll on me.
After a week out of treatments took the NavDx blood test, waited a couple weeks , called and found out the test came back negative for cancer.
I am grateful for the treatments and care I received.
However, had I not took a stand my story would probably be like so many others who had the standard of care 7/35 treatments.
Not sure about chemo but after 25 radiation (50gy) the damage adds up quick from my research, especially for folks 65 or older.
I no longer need a bottle of water by my side or lozenges in my pocket, saliva is flowing again, most everything tastes normal and swallowing is effortless. Have some cognitive things going on, short attention span, word searching , mood swings .
Can't gain any weight back and my jaw aches when I yawn but overall
not too bad for only 6 mos. out. Did keep active throughout the treatments except for a week or so during the worst of it.
Trials going on today showing if caught early only 1/2 the treatments are needed to cure this particular cancer.
Like I said in the beginning, for what its worth.
Best to you simplygrand and others embarking on this journey.