Hi Fred—I know it’s hard not to panic, but please let your medical team help you understand specifically what’s going on. And please don’t wait to tell your wife and kids because they will want to support you on your journey and you will need them.
My husband was diagnosed with HPV mediated squamous cell cancer located at base of tongue with 3 lymph nodes involved. Diagnosis was received middle of May 2019 and he started radiation (35 sessions) and 7 chemo, finishing treatment on Aug 12. Just before Thanksgiving, he had a clean PET scan. It was a tough go of it, but he made it thru. He will be followed up for the next 4 years by his ENT and the radiation oncologist. We were told there’s a 90% cure rate for his type of oral cancer.

You’re going to be ok. Put yourself in the wonderful caring clinical teams and check in often with this group-they are a Godsend and a wealth of information.

Keep in touch!!

Nedra