Very thankful to have found a supportive group with much experience and practical wisdom. I am at the onset of my journey which started 7 weeks ago with a sore throat and swollen gland. The gland had inflammation dating back to January of 2012 but took a turn for the worse. Ultrasound, CAT Scan, FNB resulted in a phone call on April 26th at 5:30 PM letting me know I had cancer. Last week was initial consult with medical team and biopsy of the tongue. Thankfully positive for HPV. Meet with balance of medical team at OSU Monday 5/13 to set plan for treatment. Support from friends and family is more that expected and global in nature. Planning for the worst hoping for the best.

Age 55 HPV 16+ SCC, BOT 050613 Stage IV
great team at OSU
Tx 6 weeks of rad started June 3
8 weeks of chemo started May 28
RTOG Phase III trial Cetuximab group.
Treatment completed 7/16/2013
PET Scan completed 10/08/13
Results discussed 10/11/13
NED - Free but am I
Next part of the journey?
1year PET 10/24/14 NED
Good reports now 10 years out.