Hi, My father is 54yrs. old and has been a lifetime smoker. Approximately 4 months ago he noticed swelling in his tonsil. He went to his family doctor and was put on antibiotics, after that did not touch the tonsil they looked further into it by sending him to a ENT. A biopsy was done and we were informed my father had a tumor in his lymph gland and whatever was going on included the tonsil area. We were then sent to a University Hospital. This took 3 weeks to get scheduled. Once down there we were told that they were sure my father had tonsil cancer, but they wanted to biopsy the tonsil to make sure thats where it started. So we were then put off another 3 weeks before we got in for the biopsy of the tonsil. This whole time this beast has been able to keep growing. My father struggles with swallowing and my mother says he gasps for air at night while he is sleeping. We have now had the biopsy just before Christmas and we were told that they are pretty sure that it is definitely tonsil cancer and it spread to the lymph node in the neck. They reassured us that they found nothing in his esophagus and did not believe it was anywhere else. We were supposed to be set up for treatment at a cancer center closer to my parents home a couple days after the biopsy. Well once again we were put off a couple weeks before being scheduled. My father has totally lost his upbeat attitude and feels like no one cares because this has been allowed to keep growing and he feels his chances of beating this keep deteriating with each day that goes by without treatment. Once into the treatment center close to their home, we have found that the radiation specialist along with the chemo doctors are amazed this has been let go so long. They are looking at starting my father on two different chemo drugs along with 7 weeks of radiation. But first he is now being sent for a bunch of work on his teeth. On top of all that the doctors he is seeing now are doing a chest CT and a colonoscopy to make sure this cancer is no where else. Just when we thought we knew exactly what we were up against, we have to worry about the results of all these tests and hope that the actions of the first doctors has not let this beast advance too far and spread. So right now we know he has squamocell carcinoma. I cant even begin to know what my father is feeling and how scared and angry he is. Is there anything that you as a family member or as a patient yourself would recommend or suggest is something that is helpful to say or do for someone going through this process? The doctors seemed optimistic that my father has a good chance of beating this. We hope and pray that is the outcome we achieve. I have read from other patients, and have been told by the doctors he has a long road ahead of him and its a very painful process. My father is very thin and has concerns about the weight loss. He is already drinking the boost. Any other recommendations. He is getting a feeding tube put in his abdomen this week along with a port for his chemo. Is there anyone that has had just radiation and chemo without surgery? That seems to be the road they want to take with my dad. Sorry for the lengthy message. Just new at this and wanting to learn as much as possible to help him as much as I can. Take Care!!