Hi there.

I'm sorry to hear about your diagnosis. I was diagnosed with HPV+ Tonsil Cancer a few months back and just finishied treatment. 

Depending on how they treat you, be it just surgery or if they opt to give you Chemo/Radio everyone's recovery is very much depending on treatment given, your current overall health amongst other things.

There is quite a few of us on here in various stages of treatment, I've just finished 6 weeks of Radiotherapy with 2 doses of Chemotherapy along with surgical removal of some Lymph Nodes.

I'm 32 and have been off work for a while now but starting to recover.

Hi there

I had a very similar diagnosis. HPV positive tonsil tumour 1cm and small lymph node on same side. Had surgery 3 months ago. Tonsils out, etc. Neck lymph node being treated with rad and chemo. Had 1st chemo yesterday. Rough headache, oddly enough, but sickness is OK. 

The surgery is fine but the recovery can get pretty interesting. Tiredness for about a week or more afterwards. LIKE "WHAT'S WRONG WITH ME?"  style tiredness. But it goes away. Stock up on ice pops and ice creams. Soups. And stock up on whatever gets you through the day when you have the flu or a bad hangover.  Junk food, whatever. This will be one of those rare times when all calories are good calories. You can get back to the broccoli and kale all in good time.

Difflam gargle is helpful. This may be called something else where you live. Take the painkillers as you need them. No point in telling you it's not sore, it is. But it will pass. Good days and bad days. I spent the first couple of days eating fairly normal foods and thinking this is a piece of cake, and then Bang! Hot mess! . But, it does pass. You will be fine. Shelve as much work and other duties as you can. And let everyone know you are bunkering down for the two weeks. Be good to yourself.

I know we are all different. I found the stage you are at really difficult. All the not knowing. It gets better as you start surgery/treatment. You've got this. 

Hi there

I had a very similar diagnosis. HPV positive tonsil tumour 1cm and small lymph node on same side. Had surgery 3 months ago. Tonsils out, etc. Neck lymph node being treated with rad and chemo. Had 1st chemo yesterday. Rough headache, oddly enough, but sickness is OK. 

The surgery is fine but the recovery can get pretty interesting. Tiredness for about a week or more afterwards. LIKE "WHAT'S WRONG WITH ME?"  style tiredness. But it goes away. Stock up on ice pops and ice creams. Soups. And stock up on whatever gets you through the day when you have the flu or a bad hangover.  Junk food, whatever. This will be one of those rare times when all calories are good calories. You can get back to the broccoli and kale all in good time.

Difflam gargle is helpful. This may be called something else where you live. Take the painkillers as you need them. No point in telling you it's not sore, it is. But it will pass. Good days and bad days. I spent the first couple of days eating fairly normal foods and thinking this is a piece of cake, and then Bang! Hot mess! . But, it does pass. You will be fine. Shelve as much work and other duties as you can. And let everyone know you are bunkering down for the two weeks. Be good to yourself.

I know we are all different. I found the stage you are at really difficult. All the not knowing. It gets better as you start surgery/treatment. You've got this.