Hello all,
My first post.
I have a late stage 3 tonsil cancer (HPV positive)that has metastasized into my neck lymph node. Initial doctor did not want to do surgery. Four weeks later doctor changes his mind. My second opinion doctor, who seems more thorough, always stated Chemo (Cisplatin) and radiation would be best. Doctor states that surgery may not even be needed. Both above doctors are ENT surgical oncologist.

Thankfully my cancer center oncologist started me with Erbitux.
I do not have insurance (currently not working) only a small savings for medical issues.
I did qualify for a reduced price from the manufacturer due to my income level. When I am cured I plan on writing a nice thank you to the manufacturer.
For most Texas state and/or county financial help you need to be less than 250% of the poverty level. Wife's job disqualifies us.

Also, paying the clinics and doctors up front has given me a 50% discount on the additional drugs and procedures during chemo, and my lab blood tests. I was able to get 25% off a CT scan for paying up front. The initial MRI, I shopped around and paid half of what most hospital imaging centers charge. My cancer center oncologist, bless her, waived her fees. She is my wife's doctor that I self referred to after my initial cancer diagnosis.

With Erbitux... very bad acne-like rash that started 7 days into chemo then subsided 2 weeks later. Very bad, bleeding, itchy, painful. Kept clean and used clindamycin topical lotion and took minocycline to prevent skin infections. Still have the rash but not as severe. My feet have shed skin after the 4th treatment and now after the 5th treatment the skin around my fingernails is beginning to fissure (use lotion). However, after the first week, my neck node was reduced in size almost by half. My tonsil after my 5th chemo feels much smaller because I can swallow much easier. It bleeds sometimes every couple of days. I am an allergy sufferer.

Radiation is next. I really plan on annoying my radiation oncologist with questions. Two of my main concerns is a cure and the most economical way to that cure. I have read that HPV positive tumors respond very well to radiation. I have read that an intensive course of radiation my not be necessary like in the case of other head and neck cancers that are non-HPV related.
My first appointment with my radiation oncologist will be Tuesday.

I'm trying to determine just what is the course to be expected. I really do not want 7 weeks, five days a week at $1000 dollars per treatment. Poor salivary glands ... poor savings account. Gamma knife , cyber knife, Intensity modulated radiation treatment?
Any advice from your own experience would be appreciated. Thanks everyone.
I'll write an update after Tuesday's appointment