regsarding stephni, I was diagnosed with tonsil cancer 18 months ago and had my tonsil out, I had been told by numerous consultants that there was nothing wrong but I continued to persue, i eventually went to a diffent hospital and the consultant told me he would take me in the following week and take out my tonsil, i never for one moment thought i had cancer and was shocked when i was told a week later.that was the day I felt my life fell apart, I have squamous Cell Carcenoma. I started treatment ten week later after having my mask made. I found that more traumatic and upsetting but it had to be done. My consultant advised chemo therapy followed up by radiation therapy. I was also told that it would be twelve months following treatment before they could say if i needed a full neck disection. I must add that my tumour when finally diagnosed was a T2 stage2 and doctors said it was one of the earliest detections seen of this cancer. It presented itself as a little hole on my tonsil and doctors told me for twelve months that it was a blister. I continued to look for someone who would listen to me and I feel that if the first consultant had listened to me it would have been pre cancerous cells and not a tumour. My family and friends continue to praise my determination at insisting someone listen to me. I have survived 37 sessions of radiotherapy and five chemo therapy. I continue to go to support meetings and I have recently returned to work. I went for my twelve month check in September and was told my primary tumour is gone. I insisted on scans to confirm this and not the word of a Doctor, having lost faith in them earlier. My scan shows no evidence of cancer or tumors and I continue to have full blood counts done every two weeks at my insistance with the Doctrs. Unfortunately I have halved my wieght and have no saliva or taste buds but I am alive and will continue to remain positive and where Doctors are concerned stubborn. I would advise that these are normal people and make mistakes also,but when you get one you are comfortable with then pour out your heart. They are human and kind. My credit goes to the consultant who finally listnend to me, my oncologist and my great nurse who continues to be my rock. For anyone entering this long process, remain positive, ask your questions, listen to the answers, and BE POSITIVE. My experience was a long confused road but my perseverence paid off. Here I am talking to you all, I am a mother of 6 with years ahead of me and super Husband who at one stage thought I was a hypercondriac, but now listens to me. I look forward to keeping in touch with people on this line x