Well, my dad had his post treatment follow up. The jugulodigastric node that was enlarged is gone. The CT also revealed that the left tonsil is asymetric and enlarged. So we wonder if that is live tumor or not? His selective neck dissection is scheduled for November 10th. The plan is to remove "all the nodes in the left neck they can find". He is also going to biopsy the left tonsil. I wonder if he'll just take it out? All of the anxiety and worry set aside he's doing so well. I mean, so well that I feel guilty sometimes sharing it because there are so many that have had tremendous struggles with their treatment. His PEG was removed 3 weeks following treatment. He is eating everything-it is such a relief to see him munching on his candy bars again! I feel so blessed and a bit tentative. Major surgery is scary! I don't know how I will make it in the waiting room, seriously. What do you think is up with that tonsil???
I hope you are all doing wonderfully!

I should clarify that the tonsil is half the size it was before tx started. Compared to the right tonsil, it is enlarged and asymetrical. The previous post sounds like it is bigger than before tx-it shrunk to half the original.

As far as I remember, my cancerous left tonsil was much more enlarged than the right one and the doctor just took out a few tiny tissues for biopsy. No pain at all and when it was confirmed to be cancer, the oncolgist did the same thing on my right tonsil for fear that it was cancerous too because it became enlarged gradually. The test was negative and so all the cancer cells were found on my left side, the tonsil and the left neck. During the treatment, the tumor of the left tonsil shrank significantly from 5 cm down to about 2 in 4 weeks' time. It totally disappeared when I had the follow up tests 2 months post treatment. I still have my two tonsils with me today. Just to share my experience.

Karen

Hi Shawna,

Great to hear your Dad is doing so well. Hope the tonsil sit. is nothing serious. We all hope he has a complete recovery. I know yor support was vital.

Steve Daib

Hi Shawna,

Steve again. After all your Dad went through, the surgery is fairly easy. At least it was for me. it is best to have someone with you at the hospital while you wait. The worst part was being tied to suction devices for three days post op. They were used to keep swelling down. Not sure what procedure your Dad's MD will follow, but I had little if any pain from the surgery. His neck will definently be smaller. I started working out two weeks afer surgery, which really helped my recovery.

Regards,