Tongue and tonsil HPV found.

Posted by thebgyn123 @thebgyn123, May 29, 2023

Just diagnosed hpv viral back of tongue etc. I'm not sure how quality of life will be during and after. 76 male good shape. Would actually consider alternative to radiation etc if avaikable

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Head & Neck Cancer Support Group.

@thebgyn123

It's been a while since I updated. After 35 radiation and 5 chemos and recovery since August, latest scan was looking good.
Still have saliva and taste issues but weight coming up again. Tongue is sore and still radiating but managing to get food down.
Oncologist checks to be done every 3 months.
I had to let go my need to control and trust my doctors. So far they have been right on the money. I know it's scary but your family needs you around. That's what kept me going.

Jump to this post

Hang in there!
I’m a bit over 7 years out and I still have saliva issues but I’ve grown accustomed to having water with me at all times.
Purchase fluoride toothpaste from your dentist and be sure to use it at least three times a day. I brush my teeth several times per day.
I also do hot water rinses to clear phlegm.
I’ve tried everything available for dry mouth but nothing works for me.
As for taste; nothing really tastes how I remember it especially chocolate, chocolate is totally different.
I’m glad your weight is coming up already! I wasn’t able to eat for nearly a year and then oatmeal was my meals for several months!
Best wishes,

MOJO

REPLY
@thebgyn123

It's been a while since I updated. After 35 radiation and 5 chemos and recovery since August, latest scan was looking good.
Still have saliva and taste issues but weight coming up again. Tongue is sore and still radiating but managing to get food down.
Oncologist checks to be done every 3 months.
I had to let go my need to control and trust my doctors. So far they have been right on the money. I know it's scary but your family needs you around. That's what kept me going.

Jump to this post

Sounds like you are on the mend. You can expect issues for literally a couple years and possibly chronic minor issues for years. Alas this all eventually goes away, or we just get so used to it that it stops interfering with our lives. Dry mouth is probably the biggest complaint.
If anything new crops up please don't hesitate to ask about it, either here or with your doctor. The thought of cancer returning will probably leave your head in perhaps twenty years if you're lucky. In the meantime, just remind yourself that it's probably not cancer whatever ailment you may have down the road. Good healing!

REPLY
@hrhwilliam

Sounds like you are on the mend. You can expect issues for literally a couple years and possibly chronic minor issues for years. Alas this all eventually goes away, or we just get so used to it that it stops interfering with our lives. Dry mouth is probably the biggest complaint.
If anything new crops up please don't hesitate to ask about it, either here or with your doctor. The thought of cancer returning will probably leave your head in perhaps twenty years if you're lucky. In the meantime, just remind yourself that it's probably not cancer whatever ailment you may have down the road. Good healing!

Jump to this post

Thanks for the response.

Get Outlook for Android

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.