RT. Nothing much happens for two weeks or so. Then a scratchy throat slowly gets pretty painful. Don’t hide how he feels from his radiographers who are his daily contact. Pain relief is pretty effective but better taken in front of the pain. I started with paracetamol  the added morphine then long acting morphine twice daily which was a game changer. Keep up a little activity. It’s good for the soul as well as the body. If he has a feeding tube encourage him to use it when he can’t swallow. Proper nutrition is paramount for a proper recover. 
Tell him it’s ok to feel angry and frightened. It’s ok to have meltdowns and feel it’s unfair. He’s about to go through a lot. But the treatment will cure him and it doesn’t last forever. 
Plenty of people have trodden the same path and thrived. 
I’m four years plus clear and living fabulously well. 
Stick around. 
You’ll have lots of questions along the way and there are lots of folk here to help 

In the meantime have a look at MarkEL  profile. He has a good diary. Just click on his name. 
Good luck 

Can’t help with chemo as I avoided it 

Somebody will be along who can. 

Thank you so much for the info. Its a scary journey to be on.

It is because it’s so alien to our normal lives but it’s doable a day at a time. 

Hi I had tonsil cancer with 7 affected lymph nodes my blog below May help I had 2 of a planned  3 full day chemo cisplatin and 35 radiotherapy sessions. Here I am 5 years down the line this month happily living my life. I’ve been  where you are feeling scared. I was 61 and a wimp I did it so can your husband. 
As Dani  says not much happens for the  2 weeks then all of a sudden it starts to hit. 
Best advise re chemo take  the medication as directed it’s there to help. If he feels sick let the radioltherpy team know they are your first point of contact plus always ask on here. Between us we cover most bases. If he has a peg f fir feeding tell him being brave and not using it is silly my n g tube was my lifesaver. If he’s having issues swallowing and drinking use it. 
hugs Hazel 

Hi. I had 30x radio & 6x chemo (Cisplatin)  Chemo once a week & radio every week day. Feel free to direct message me. 

Hi Fab 50

I have just finished week  4 of recovery today. Tonsil cancer and 2 lymph nodes. I was the same as you and on here asking for advice, everyone here are very supportive.

Radiotherapy for me was ok, I treatment takes a few minutes and having music playing it went quickly. I did the exercises religiously 4 times a day and used E45 cream twice a day and E45 lotion when I needed it. Aloe Vera is good too. Never before the treatment as I made that mistake once!  I'm sure this helped me with not having any trouble eating or drinking. I was Petrified of having a tube fitted and I was so glad I didn't.  Week 5 of radiotherapy was when the mouth ulcers and painful throat started. I was given caphosol and pain relief which helped. At the end of week 7 I was given cocodamol  and morphine that I used at night.

A humidifier by my bed was a god send and I'm still using it.

Chemo was cisplatin that I only had once due to my blood levels never recovering enough for me to have the next 2 doses. Chemo for me was rough but I've heard other people don't have any side effects. The anti sickness drugs did not work at all.

The recovery is harder than the treatment for me.

Also your husband's taste will change and so get ready to be eating bland food but keep him eating to keep his weight up. I miss my coffee in the morning.

Your RT team, CNS and Consultant will help with anything you need at anytime. 

Keep positive, you can both do this ️

Best wishes

Hello Fab50

The great thing is that your husband has you to support him - I don't know how I would have got through it without my partner encouraging me to eat, helping with my meds schedule, and my NG tube when it came to that, taking me out for a walk every day etc etc.  There's a bit more info in my profile. I found this forum really helpful. 

My consultant said he had 3 tips for me during treatment: "fluids, fluids, fluids" - keep hydrated even when swallowing gets painful - it helps to process the chemo and to stop the throat & neck stiffening up with radiotherapy. Also if your husband gets given swallowing exercises he should do them at least once a day.  

It will be tough but you'll get through it together - I'm out the other side and absolutely fine apart from a dry mouth.  

Good luck! 

Catriona

Hi Fab 50, sorry to hear about your husband and this is great forum for advice and encouragement at this difficult time. I would echo the advice re radiotherapy. It is tough but doable. I also had chemo and would suggest that your husband keeps a journal of how he is feeling and what nutrition he is getting. I initially had cisplatin however I noticed that I had some “foot drop” and strange tingling and had my treatment changed immediately to carboplatin. I also had a RIG tube fitted and this was a life saver once the side effects of the treatment kick in.

All the best for his treatment and recovery.

- John