Hi Adam, I'm sorry too that you have need of this fabulous site. Of course you are scared. We certainly were, actually I was terrified. Your team is correct though, tonsil/ Oropharyngeal cancer is a very curable disease.
Paul has given you great advice and a great link to help with further information.
I want to add by asking and advising you to get to a Comprhensive Cancer Center. A CCC. These centres treat many many with this same disease and have experience. A local cancer Center may only see a couple of tonsil cancers a year. Research has proven CCC's to have better outcomes for their patients. They have a whole team approach with your case discussed by a tumour board. This consists of surgeons , chemo docs, radiation docs , dentists, Speech therapists, dieticians and many more.
Read as much as you can, ask many questions. We will all help you.
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!