Hi Quinn, I was first diagnosed in July, '09, so we have that in common. At the time I was dx, I was already stage IV, something that I have since found from others here is that this is not all that uncommon with Oropharyngeal cancer.

I suspect that you are, indeed, in for a round of radiation with chemo as a adjunct therapy, and I also suspect that the chemo they use will be a "-platin," (platinum based compound,) either Cis(platin or Carbo(platin.)

Both of these have some unpleasant side effects, but both have the very, very desirable beneficial effect of preventing cancer cells from dividing (reproducing by cell-division) and escaping eradication by the radiation.

No matter what the case may actually turn out to be, I would focus my mind on obtaining whatever treatment option would give me the very best chance to eliminate the disease, not which one would cause me the most discomfort.

(please do not take that as a rebuke of any sort, it is merely sound survival advice!)

The unfortunate fact is that all of these life-saving treatments come at the price of some discomfort, ranging from mild to most unpleasant, but the reward of survival is generally so high as to make the cost inconsequential.

In the greater scheme of things, even two years of moderately severe discomfort, as some have experienced from radiation is more desirable than not; in that 1) uncomfortable for two years is better than dead, and 2) discomfort, unlike death, passes.

In the case of chemo, the discomfort is usually simply a memory after 60 days. In my case, Cisplatin administered only three times (concurrent with 8 weeks radiation) caused me to lose my sense of taste and made (and kept) me so nauseated that I could only keep one bottle (8 oz) of Ensure Plus (350) cal in my stomach in a day. I went from a solid, athletic 192 to an emaciated 154 in 90 days.

Sense of taste returns, slowly.

Neuropathy is a common side effect of most chemo agents, so one needs to be aware of what is going on inside your skin. Pay close attention to your fingers and toes, and to your ears (hearing) and promptly notify your lead oncologist if you notice any changes (you will.) They will likely make some change in the drugs to reduce or avoid further neuropathy.

Be alert for Tinnitus. This signals neuropathy in your hearing; and be alert for for tingling/prickly feeling or numbness in your fingers or toes.

Try to relax, remind yourself that you are taking whatever measures can be taken and thus you've done all you can; and let it go. Look around this forum, we've all been through this and are living. You will be fine, if not in an absolute sense, but in the only sense that matters. You will be.

Good luck, and focus on your good fortune in living in an era when this is no longer a death sentence!