Hi John, came across your thread last night. I too had tonsil cancer was diagnosed 19th September last year. Finished treatment 4th Dec 2014. I'm not as well informed as you re the staging , was originally told my cancer was a stage 2T but then when I was referred tonThe Christie specialist cancer treatment hospital they restaged it it a T4 which has freaked me out ever since! If I remember correctly they said it was due to the severe trismus I was having at the time. I had 30 fractions of radiotherapy and was scheduled for 2 cycles of Cisplatin but was only well enough for 1 which also remains in the back of my mind. Had an NG tube was told this was a better option than the peg as quicker healing time and encourages you to still swallow . It was in for 9!weeks I was very sick throughout all the treatment lost over 2 stone , weight stable now 8 months on. Had the raw sore neck but healed well just a slightly different colour to the rest of me, also have some swelling and tenderness under the chin on the left treatment site. Left side of the tongue still giving me trouble been told it's scar tissue and still early days so be patient! Had a clear MRI think it was May time and a couple of clear visual checks all very encouraging. I'm trying not to get too hung up from statistics and read daily advice from Christine, David , Tony , Bart and others who are far wiser and more knowledgeable , I visit the site every day a great source of comfort for me. I rarely post , always worried that I'm doing it wrong as not very experience on the computer and never posted in a forum until I discovered OCF. My taste still has room for improvement but know it can take up to 2 years and I have no sweet taste buds which is a shame don't half miss cake biscuits and chocolate!! On a plus I have no problem fastening my size 8 jeans now! Lol . I have some saliva but still a problem been on Pilocarpine tablets 6 daily they have really helped in stimulating my salivary glands and I've had very few side effects just the odd clammy feeling now and again but benefits far out way side effects for me personally , did read a lot of reviews before asking for a script as wasn't told about them by my consultant , and many people have not been able to tolerate them so I'm lucky in that respect. Not sure if you've tried them but may be worth a go. I know what you mean about being anxious and constantly checking things I still need lots of reassurance got a spot on the roof of my mouth had it since finishing treatment had it checked twice ( not biopsies ) told it could be a blocked salivary gland and it doesn't look sinister but I'm still not reassured I want it gone or at least a biopsy but nobody really listening going to mention it again at my next appointment in September will be more assertive I think! I don't know if my cancer is HPV related hope it is! Like you avid non smoker rare drinker I mean maybe 1 a year but never touched a drop since diagnosis and never will again . Back at work still doing 3 days had a 3 months phased return using 2 days A/L worrying a bit about how I will manage full time going to see about dropping a day ..... Believe we now fall under the DDA and have more rights , fortunately I work for the council and they have been fantastic with me , no complaints there or about our NHS. Lots of little niggles in the back of my mind but now have a completely different attitude to just about everything , appreciate life , family so much more and don't stress about work and bring stuff home anyone or am fanatical about cleaning the house it's all about looking after me now . Oh and I'm having acupuncture weekly at the hospital not sure if it's physically helping with the dry mouth as on the pilocarpine tablets too but will continue for as long as they allow me too. Any way I hope your doing okay and I'm sending my love and positive thoughts to all the wonderful people on this forum who give me hope and inspiration daily. I'm going to make an effort to post more often as I get so much from reading others just not sure what anyone may get from reading mine! Best wishes everyone , love Di