Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) P16+

Yes, it will get better. The Tons of mucous almost drove me crazy but it's all gone now. Unfortunately this surgery does leave some pain initially to deal with. I kept telling myself "it's temporary, I handled it yesterday and I'll handle it today and tomorrow." Best to you.

MOH

I imagine so only few days out of surgery. I had alot of throat/ neck swelling. Tons of mucous , nerve pain where they were cut in the neck. Opioids prescribed by Doctor really helped me the first 10 days. Eating anything or drinking will be difficult. I slept upright for 2 weeks. It WILL get better.

Yes. I have Squamous Cell Carcinoma. I had surgery in May - removed left parotid, left ear drum, small amount of bone in jaw and 16 lymph nodes on left of neck. 3 tested positive. Facial nerve was severed. Had chemo and immunotherapy 4 times per week for 5 weeks and radiation in head and neck 5 times per week for 6 weeks. Follow up CT scans showed clear. Will rescan in a month or so. Thanks for reaching out.
MOH

And I guess from the beginning my whole intent was to find a way to stay alive. Side effects could be handled. But I'm not sure I see anything wrong with letting them monitor me closely and see what happens. But I will say that at day 5 out from surgery this is not becoming any more fun.

A belated welcome, @cparadise2. Do you also have a head and neck cancer? I look forward to getting to know more about your experiences.

Radiation...the gift that keeps giving. The side affects can be as nasty as the confrontation with the cancer, in my case.

So as of right now my wife just told me they want the drain out Monday and staples Wednesday. So maybe some discussion there. I think everything is riding on the pathology report which could be a couple weeks out. But the surgeon is pretty set on not putting me through radiation. There was one node that is hard to reach but he got a sample and says it should be benign but the way I understand it that's the important one. Overall, I feel positive. But today is day 3 after surgery so pain is elevated. Thank you for chatting. Honestly does help.

There have been advances in this particular cancer treatment which I did not have access to years ago. Radiation can and most likely will result problems for years if not forever. I understand your concern with reoccurrence however the option then for radiation would still be on the table. Our concern about the big "C" returning is forefront on most people's mind for years. It is only natural.
I recall at my five year mark the oncologist telling me that now my risk of return is that of the general population. To which I replied that it is now exactly where it was when I got cancer therefore I am not comforted by that statement. Now that I am older it is no longer a concern.
Have you been advised if you will have a followup medication?

That sounds like a very positive outcome so far! Yes I had the drain as well. I imagine this week will be tough but it will be much better in 2-3 weeks as far as pain. Yes your Pathology report will guide your Doctor on the next course of treatment concerning possible radiation, Chemo or nothing but monitoring for the next few years. I agree recurrence is always a concern. Radiation should kill any remaining cancer cells. As my oncologist said you only get one swing at it so to speak. I would ask about a shorter cycle of radiation maybe 30 Gy instead of the traditional 60 Gy. Trials are showing it is about as effective without the harsher side effects. Unfortunately, the gold standard for years is blasting you with alot of radiation. I feel the cure is almost worse than the cancer but at least you are alive.

I think my concern is recurrance. Did they get it all. Without radiation, that risk increases at least as I understand it.