Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) P16+

So still recovering from surgery. Drain is out. Staples come out tomorrow. Have an office at home so able to do some work. But this recovery is slow. Eating really well. Pathology came out and margins are clear. Surgeon predicted this outcome and will steer away from radiation. I meet with him tomorrow so excited about that. Really trying to keep my mind in the right place and that's proving difficult. Taking walks and stuff like that so that's helping. I feel like I should be celebrating but not feeling that way.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Wish you the best for a successful surgery.

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?

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?

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