Erik,
Yes, just tonsillitis. I never really had problems with my tonsils, but I've always had trouble with my sinuses. Maybe I was mistaking some of the tonsil problems for sinus problems?!? Anyway, in early Sept, my throat felt swollen. Had a dentist appt, so I asked him to take a look and he saw a white spot on my left tonsil. I immediately made an appt with the surgeon. Figured I wasn't fooling around with any GPs or run-of-the-mill ENTs.

He put me on an antibiotic, which took care of the swelling, but the white spot remained. He was almost positive it was nothing more than tonsillitis. Given the family history though, both dad and daughter dying from oral cancer, he suggested a tonsillectomy. He said he knew I'd worry myself to death over it and he was right.
Turned out there was a cyst with some unidentified pasty material and a blood clot in the left tonsil, but no indication of any cancerous cells. Major relief!!! Now if I can just get rid of this salty taste, I'll be back to normal. I've already lost 13 lbs. I can certainly afford to lose more, but I really don't think this is the healthiest way to do it! Had Lipton soup and pudding last night and even the pudding tasted salty now. I don't think I can live on chicken noodle soup forever. Of course, I do eat some other things. I just can't seem to choke down too much. The taste is just so gross!

I guess I am getting just a tiny, little taste of what you poor guys have to go through. I can understand a little better now why Heather was so bull-headed some times about eating. Not that I didn't sympathize with you all before, but I can empathize now also. It really sucks! You are all such strong people to be able to handle it. I truly admire anyone who has to fight oral cancer. You guys are something else! And I mean that in the best possible way.

Rosie