69 years old and completed 35 radiation and 5 chemo (Cisplatin) for SSC at base of tongue, stage 1 HPV, about 9 months ago. I received proton treatment at Mayo in Phoenix. I am very grateful for where I am today. Can eat anything I want, back to all my normal activities - mountain biking, golfing, strength training, etc. Only lost a few pounds but have gained them back. I felt I was in real good shape going into this and that helped.

It wasn’t an easy journey. Had to force myself to eat due to loss of appetite and swallowing pain. Wanted to stop radiation the last week due to severe dermatitis, but got through it. Didn’t use prescription pain meds just a rotating mix of Tylenol and ibuprofen that last couple weeks. Stopped chemo at 5 sessions instead of 7 due to tinnitus, which I still have. The chemo plays a much smaller role in the treatment plan. They told me 5 was actually the goal and missing the last two would not make a big difference. Makes me wonder the same about the radiation treatments. Should the conventional regiment change to fewer sessions like the clinical trials are supporting.

Today I have mild lymphedema & dry mouth but manage through it OK. Zylitol gum helps. Taste is completely back. My best resource at Mayo was the speech pathologist. She understood the side effects much better than the oncologist. Instructed me on neck and swallowing exercises to do, explained side effects better and was a very helpful resource to get through it. Highly recommend one if your facility has that available.

I do daily neck exercises to ward off fibrosis with manual lymphedema massage and use red light therapy. Integrative medicine doctor recommend Turkey Tail mushroom supplements to improve immune system and prevent reoccurrence. My 3 month scan was good, with a one year scan in October coming up. All indications are I am clear of cancer. Positive mindset, faith and excellent support (wife and friends) were critical. With God’s help I consider that a success story.