Hi Donna 

this  is Hazel I am 16 month post radiotherapy for tonsil cancer ,I would go back to dr  but in my case I had no symptoms other than a mass above my collar bone ,no swelling if tonsil no sore throat no,problems eating I was h p v 16+ positive,but I am nit medically qualified all I will say is  tonsil cancer is very rare ,but it is also reacts very well to treatment radiotherapy and chemotherapy.you don’t  mention how old you but this cancer is pre dominantly a male   Cancer , I was just unlucky less than 3% are female .plus at any igiven  time 84% of world wide population has the h p v virus .In my case it probably had been dormant in my system for 35+ years. It’s probale you won’t get in to see  a  d r before  Christmas so please please keep of google it honestly does more harm than good ,remember it’s hughly unlikley to be tonsil cancer ,my lump and others that I know have all been in the hollow of the collar bone . Hazel ,hope thus helps to alleviate your fears .

Thankyou so much.

I have a GP appointment Christmas eve. I'm 36 years old. I know it's unlikely but when symptoms stack up and then you Google it leads you to worry. I'm hoping I'll get a referral to have it checked properly.

Thankyou for your reply. I'm glad you have recovered well 

Hi Donna try and keep off dr google not easy I know , but best advise my oncologist gave me was if he with 35+ Medical  years experience put symptoms intomgoogle he could diagnose himself with a fatal illness if he lookedhard enough. Here hoping you don’t need anything but if you do just keep to Cancer uk amd macmillian site they are well policed unlike the World Wide Web. Speaking from experience I scared myself  stupid before i saw the consultants. In the unlikely event I’d yiu needing us please pop back , and if all ok just uodate your posting 

Thank you for your  kind words

best wishes Hazel and fingers x for Christmas Eve  

Hi Donnalouise,

My name is Allie and your post came up as a link on my email. I haven't been on this site for a long time because I have been too busy getting my life back on track! 

I was in exact!y the same position as you - a swollen tonsil and a swollen gland in my neck under my jaw. I posted a big reply to a girl called ffyona earlier in the year and all the details are in there if you want them. ( Far too long to go through typing it again.) I was also checked out and found to have hpv related tonsil cancer, stage 2. 

My chemo and radiotherapy treatment started on 17/12/18 and ended on 29/1/19. I had some other health issues and felt pretty ropy for a wee while but went back to work at the beginning of June. I have to drink a lot of water and food doesn't always taste right. I took a long time to get my strength back but I did lose 4 and 1\2 stone so I'm looking at that as a silver lining, however ridiculous it must sound. I have to see my consultant every few months and she tells me I am in better health than ever. My cancer is completely gone and my case was reviewed as a successful treatment in a seminar recently.

Hazel is right. This is really rare. Very few people have even heard of it and a woman getting it is like a unicorn turning up out of the blue. It is one of the most treatable cancers, though. You would never know I have been ill. It's just a blip on my radar as far as I am concerned. I will always go for all my checks and be sure to check for lumps everywhere but it's over.

Please don't freak out. We all get swollen glands that have innocuous causes and hpv isn't uncommon in adults. I will be thinking of you on Tuesday. Let me know how you get on. This is big and scary but it can be managed and loads of people will be here or there or wherever for you.

Sending you good vibes and crossing everything crossable,

Allie

HinAllie Long time no hear ,glad all going well , I am sat here eating slowly a packet of crisps bliss , this time last year I was sure I wouldn’t be able to ever eat them again. Lol 

like the comparison to a unicorn turning up out of the blue might have to Nick that knew. Lol. 

Have a great Christmas deffo better than last years .

we are rare but also very very lucky with our outcomes and treatment 

Onwards and uowards Hazel xx

Hazel!

This time last year I was asleep all the time and having steroid nightmares and getting up at sparrowfart to go to the Beatson for radio.

Right now I am drinking a cup of coffee and eating mini millionaire shortbread and wondering how to get out of my Christmas holiday marking!

What are we like? Kicking cancer's butt and moving on. Lucky and making the most of everything now. Wish the same for everyone.

Have a fabby Christmas and New Year,

Allie xx

It’s Christmas give everyone 10/10 as a generous gesture as you’ve kicked cancers butt.

Weve come a long way and hopefully inspire others who are reading this in years to  come.  

Will have a day one you do as well enjoy millionaire shortbread. 

Hazel xx

Update 

I saw a GP today who happened to work in ENT department for many years. She looked and felt the tonsil but says the size and feel gives her no concern. She couldn't feel the gland - when I pointed it out she could feel but said it was very small and normal feeling. She did say come back if it gets larger.

It's such a relief. I'm glad you ladies have recovered well. Thankyou so much for taking he time to reply. Have a lovely Christmas :)