Hi Melissa, I am sorry that this has been confirmed.
A BOT tumour is not usually treated with surgery. It is usually treated with curative radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
Usually 7 weeks of radiotherapy with concurrent chemo.
Your tumour is more than likely HPV positive which does infer a survivor benefit as these tumours respond much more readily to radiation and chemo.
Has your treatment plan been decided by the Head and neck tumour team at Auckland City Hospital?
Where are you going to be treated? There are better outcomes when one is treated by a whole team at a CCC - which Auckland hospital is. Research has proven this.
Others will come Along shortly with lots of advice on nutrition among other things.
I wish you well, come here often,
Tammy

Caregiver/advocate to Husband Kris age 59@ diagnosis
DX Dec '10 SCC BOT T4aN2bM0 HPV+ve.Cisplatin x3 35 IMRT.
PET 6/11 clear.
R) level 2-4 neck dissection 8/1/11 to remove residual node - necrotic with NED
Feb '12 Ca back.. 3/8/12 total glossectomy/laryngectomy/bilat neck dissection/partial pharyngectomy etc. clear margins. All nodes negative for disease. PEG in.
March 2017 - 5 years disease free. Woohoo!