hi, first of all so sorry about the loss of your father to this terrible disease and God bless you for stepping up and getting this information for your father in law.. he's truly blessed to have you.. my father had this surgery in December 2010, it has not been the easiest 6 months, but he is still here and trucking along.. he too has the trach and g-tube, you will be amazed at how second nature this will become to you.. the recovery like all the survivors on this amazing site have mentioned is different for everyone.. i find myself getting up in the morning and immediately getting on this website, it has been my sanity.. these amazing people can tell you what doctors just do NOT understand..
many prayers go out to you and your family.. please keep us posted..
God Bless
Nicki

Dad-55 yrs..2/2010-DX/March 2010-Induction Chemo/35Rads 7weeks concurrent with chemo once every 3weeks/6/2010-Treatments completed-October 2010-Recurrence/December 2010-salvage surgery/clear Margins/July 2011-recurrence/weekly Erbitux treatments-5/30/12, last erbitux..
Painfree and rested 6/19/12