Just started

I started this Monday. 35 rads and 3 heavy dose Cisplatin infusions weeks 1, 4 and 7. Had my first Cisplatin Infusion Tueday. Feeling fine so far this evening. Took my nausea meds today and they seem to be working so far. I think tie next several days will tell the story a little better. One of my worst fears leading into the treatment was being able to handle the mask and being bolted down to the table. I have been taking 1 1/2 mg of Activan for the mask making and the 3 rads I have completed and so far no problems. I will probably cut down to 1 mg next Monday and see how I do. My cancer is right tonsil with 4 lymph nodes same side in upper portion of neck. The nodes are so small you can't see or feel them form the outside. My cancer is HPV Positive which has a 90 plus percent cure rate. This year the staging changes and HPV Positive cancers were seperated out from HPV Negative cancers. Under the new staging my staging went from a 4a to a stage 1. The treatment plan does not really change, I think they just want to indicate the different long term survival rates for the HPV Positive cancers. They feel strongly they can get all my cancer with radiation and high dose Cisplatin. Hopefully they will be successful and no surguries will be required in the future. I have had to do a lot of soul searching since this has happened. Lots of crying and high stress and anxiety. As scared as I am about what the new me will be in the future I am kind of relieved the treatment has started. I want htis beast out of my body. I think I have prepared myself well with all the proper medical help and teams. This site since I recently found it has been fantastic. You find out so much from your fellow cancer warriors on ways to cope with so many issues that come up. I have learned so many things that the cancer team have not mentioned. Good luck in your journey and May God Bless You. I plan on posting regularly on this site so lets keep in touch since our journey will run together.

Rick

My dad had a tonsil removed and it came back as stage 1 HPV cancer. The ENT was certain he got it all. (99% sure) He said it was inside the margin. He referred him to a Oncoslogist just to be sure. Did a PET scan, no signs of cancer. But they still recommended radiation. He is on day 16 of radiation. No taste buds, sores in mouth, depression, burning in neck. He goes every day, 5 days per week. Does this seem like an agressive treatment for someone if the cancer was removed? I guess im asking, should we have ever decided on radiation? Should we have just went with the removal of the tonsil? He's ready to stop radiation. I don't know how to help him make his decision. Its scary. 

Yes! My husband had 8 weekly Erbitux infusions and 35 radiation sessions for HPV+ base of tongue cancer.  He finished treatment in November 2017 and has had clear CT and PET scan since.  You can click on my name to see the long version of the story, but the short version is that he got through it all and is doing really well now!  This will be behind you before you know it.  Hang in there!