baysailor's Journey with Invasive, Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Diagnosed with tonsular cancer brought on by HPV virus. 1st surgery was April 16 2010 (3 hours), for robotic tonsilectomy which failed because of proximity to carotid artery. Next Surgery was May 3, 2010 15 hours in surgery for radical neck disection. vein and skin graft taken from my left arm and transplanted inside my throat. Chemo and radiation followed radiation 5 days a week for 33 days chemo was twice a week every other week for 6 weeks using Sysplatin for the treatment. One year later cancer had mitastisized to my lung, more surgery to remove the nodule from my left lower lobe (5 more hours)

chemo treatment was by far the worst. The drug sysplatin made everything taste like aluminum foil even water. I had to finally agree and have a feeding tube put in (more surgery) in order to hydrate and get some sort of nutrition. The acid in my stomach was so bad I wouldn't wish that on anyone. I finally figured out that If I could put the food into my stomach from the tube I could also drain the acid from my stomach. Thank goodness that worked

due to the extent of the radiation on my throat I now have extensive radiatio scar tissue which is always uncomfortable. Kind of like someone with their hands around your throat 24/7

I now have little feeling in my lower facial area and my bite has been adversely affected due to my jaw having been split which is now held together with a titaneum plate