Squamous Cell in the left Tonsil(P-16 Positive) and left Lymph Node

mbfshdcsn said:

HPV 16 Left Neck Squamous

Hi Jack;

My name is Steve and I live in Philadelphia. I was diagnosed in October after several months of complaining to the doctor about the gland in my left neck.  even the ENT thought it was an infected gland and after 6 weeks of antibiotic and steroid treatment they finally did a needle biopsy. 

I had a robotic surgery in November which did not find a primary tunor.  I started my 35 radiation treatments January 7th and have had 1 of the three chemo courses (platinol) with the second coming up next week.

I am 57 soon to be 58 (Feb 3) and live a health lifestyle.  I play ice hockey, golf and umpire baseball.  

So far I have had a couple of sick days, and while my throat is sore I have had little problem eating.  Everything tastes like crap and hot tea helps soothe and wash the food down. It has been a godsend.

I am fortunate to be treated at Pennsylvania Hospital.  The surgeon, radiation techs and others have all been wonderful which certainly makes the process as easy as possible.

So far the tumor in my neck is shrinking and my PET scan shows no remote desease so I am fortunate that once the treatment is done I can recover.  I am counting the days to baseball spring training, and getting back on the course.

Listen to your doctors and do wjhat they suggest.  I hope that your prognosis is positive and your recovery is quick.

 

Steve

 

 

 

welcome

Hi Steve,

Welcome to the H&N forum, where food tasted like crap (at some time) to many of us.

Feel free to start a new post and introduce yourself.  We are always open to question or comments.

Your journey sounds normal so far.  Good luck on the remainder.

Matt

mbfshdcsn said:

HPV 16 Left Neck Squamous

Hi Jack;

My name is Steve and I live in Philadelphia. I was diagnosed in October after several months of complaining to the doctor about the gland in my left neck.  even the ENT thought it was an infected gland and after 6 weeks of antibiotic and steroid treatment they finally did a needle biopsy. 

I had a robotic surgery in November which did not find a primary tunor.  I started my 35 radiation treatments January 7th and have had 1 of the three chemo courses (platinol) with the second coming up next week.

I am 57 soon to be 58 (Feb 3) and live a health lifestyle.  I play ice hockey, golf and umpire baseball.  

So far I have had a couple of sick days, and while my throat is sore I have had little problem eating.  Everything tastes like crap and hot tea helps soothe and wash the food down. It has been a godsend.

I am fortunate to be treated at Pennsylvania Hospital.  The surgeon, radiation techs and others have all been wonderful which certainly makes the process as easy as possible.

So far the tumor in my neck is shrinking and my PET scan shows no remote desease so I am fortunate that once the treatment is done I can recover.  I am counting the days to baseball spring training, and getting back on the course.

Listen to your doctors and do wjhat they suggest.  I hope that your prognosis is positive and your recovery is quick.

 

Steve

 

 

 

Welcome

Hi Steve,

Welcome to CSN! Sounds like your treatment is going very well and you are avoiding many of the nasty side effects. Be thankful and keep doing what you are doing as it seems to be working. Just about any question you have will be something someone here has experienced so you can get some first hand response.  Good luck. Don

Tonsil Cancer 4th week of radiation

Hi to you all!!!

Most of the posts confirm my sided effects; I do have a horrible time with dry mouth.  I do have question dough, I have cancer in my left tonsil, they could not perform the surgery, I am going through radiation; Sep. 11 I started 4 week.  What really worries me is that my tonsil is not getting any smaller; I would say it is bigger and looking swollen.  Is this normal? 

I was hoping for it to shrink!!  Thank you for any answer, J.

 

JennaM said:

Tonsil Cancer 4th week of radiation

Hi to you all!!!

Most of the posts confirm my sided effects; I do have a horrible time with dry mouth.  I do have question dough, I have cancer in my left tonsil, they could not perform the surgery, I am going through radiation; Sep. 11 I started 4 week.  What really worries me is that my tonsil is not getting any smaller; I would say it is bigger and looking swollen.  Is this normal? 

I was hoping for it to shrink!!  Thank you for any answer, J.

 

It depends...

I wouldn't be surprised if your normal tissues are swelling while the tumor itself is disappearing....  And when you're all done the structure of your throat will continue to change and feel weird as your healthy tissues recover and normalize.

If you are worried I would just as your Rad Onc about it...  Good luck!