Dear Dave-
I just celebrated 6 years end of treatment from left tonsil cancer! The docs took a few months to figure out mine too as I did not fit their protocols and they did not test for HPV back then. Be as agressive as you possibly can with your treatment and don't be afraid of the long term side effects of surgery, chemo or radiation (or as some say, the slice, burn, poison method of treating cancer). The quality of life issues I wrestled with when determining my treatment are well worth the pain and are not that monumental to live with after treatment. Just knowing you are doing everything possible to beat this disease is a huge mental plus to get through the bad days. And every extra year I get with my family are well worth the inconveniences of post surgery and radiation issues! You go for it with all your soul! - Kris