Considering everything you are doing what's expected. Do try and consume 3000 cals and 48 osz of water each and every day. Most of us had our worse few weeks post Tx so just in case be prepared if you experience this. The recovery period can last every bit of 2 years so also be prepared for that.

Re the root ?, your cancer was HPV+ meaning the virus was able to take control of your cells and turn them to the dark side. HPV is labeled a STD, sexually transmitted disease. It's extremely contagious and just about all sexually active men and women acquire it throughout their lifetime. It's proven that most of us "clear" it fairly quickly and most of us reacquire it and clear it and reacquire it and...you get the point. What the scientific community hasn't figured out is why the virus only causes oral cancer sometimes. So far the treatment is similar to oral cancer that is HPV- (negative), i.e., surgery, radiation and chemo but since HPV+ oral cancer has been proven to respond better to the Tx than HPV- cancers there are studies to determine if less treatment can achieve the same results.


David

Age 58 at Dx, HPV16+ SCC, Stage IV BOT+2 nodes, non smoker, casual drinker, exercise nut, Cisplatin x 3 & concurrent IMRT x 35,(70 Gy), no surgery, no Peg, Tx at Moffitt over Aug 06. Jun 07, back to riding my bike 100 miles a wk. Now doing 12 Spin classes and 60 outdoor miles per wk. Nov 13 completed Hilly Century ride for Cancer, 104 miles, 1st Place in my age group. Apr 2014 & 15, Spun for 9 straight hrs to raise $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.