r/HeadandNeckCancer

Im failing to understand this. My husband has hpv positive scc on his septum and it remained local. They were able to remove the cancer surgically and he was told there was a slight positive margin but the surgeon felt ut was negative but pathologist felt it was positive so they are recommending radiation as extra precaution but high levels going into his nose and front palate. The side effects and risks seem very high for possible microscopic positive margins. I jist don't want my husband to go thru possibly getting more cancer from radiation but I also understand the risks of it coming back. Can anyone help me understand this or had similar questions?

My tastebuds have started waking up. I’ve been eating chicken broth and just recently scrambled eggs. Sweets and breads are a big no so far. I’m not sure what to try next. I’m thinking bacon and meats. Any suggestions? I’m 44 days out today. I barely ate for about 35 of those days and lost about 45 lbs.

51M. Had a right side swollen lymph node (for about 6-7 weeks) and had it checked out by ENT. CT scan was inconclusive and had to get a FNA (ultrasound guided) Tested positive today for HPV16 with squamous cell malignancy in the node which was 2cm by 2.6cm. Nothing else nodal detected. The ENT did not see the primary in my throat. I am going in tomorrow for a chest CT and in two days for another meeting with the ENT (he is a throat/neck cancer surgeon and researcher at a good hospital).

I am completely shocked and as you all have experienced emotional. At moments very scared and gushing and other times positive. I have been reading on here and realize treatment is hard, and it will change my life perhaps for good.

I am wondering if anyone on here can share any advice or their story? I will do my best to keep you all updated as I go through this. I have a 14.8 year old and really want to see them grow up so am going fight with all I have. I don’t really know what else to say right now so thank you for reading and thinking of me. I hope all of your cancer journeys are going as well as possible.

First of all…worst and longest application I have ever had the displeasure of filling out. Literally took me four days-about two hours each day for a grand total of about 8 hours to complete.

My husband was temporarily in a different state when he found out about his diagnosis. Then he finished out his project there before returning home. We had to transfer records, establish oncology team, have all the diagnostic tests re-ran, then his tumor started to capture his carotid artery and cause uncontrollable bleeding. LOTS of time in the hospital followed and then fast tracked into treatment before the artery was so damaged by the tumor that it would’ve become fatal! Anyway, that kept us very busy and we now have two weeks left of treatment but we are just now getting this application filed.

He seems to think the journey is Over!! (Lol!) And he won’t be approved and forced to go back to work immediately. How long post treatment DOES THE ABILITY to work a very physically demanding job return? What were your Social Security journeys like?

Mentally, my husband wants to return to work. He knows he is not physically ready yet and feels like he may need about a year to 18mths for recovery. He is worried about eating through our retirement savings and I feel like he is going to push himself back to work too soon. What were other peoples experiences with this part of their lives? Thank you in advance for the advice and personal perspectives.

UPDATE:
We got a message today from SS Office sayin…
”The DDS received your application at the local office on OCTOBER 6, 2026, and will assign the application for review and development as soon as possible.

In MICHIGAN, the average medical review takes 116 days. This time frame is an estimate for reference and subject to change on a case by case basis.”

“Nationally, it takes an average of 200 to 230 days for a complete decision. In Michigan, the average is 168 days.”

My husband is starting radiation treatment on Monday for BOT SCC HPV+ with involvement of 2 lymph nodes on the right side. Because the primary tumor crossed the midline of the tongue, radiation will be on both sides of the neck. Is there any benefit to starting Healios prior to radiation beginning? Or should he just start using it the first day of treatment? Thanks!!