Welcome to the board. My husband, like your brother in law had stage 4 ssc that started in his tonsil. He only had the initial surgery that found the cancer and then 6 weeks of radiation. He did have a PEG tube, we tried to make it through without and not getting it sooner is the only regret we have. The worst part for him was the last week of radiation and for about two months post. Slowly but surely things did start to get better, so tell your brother in law that things may get really rough, but he will get through and there will be brighter days ahead. My husband was diagnosed 5-00 and finished treatment 7-21-00, so it has been three years and so far he is doing great. He is back to his normal weight and can eat just about anything, his taste has come back almost completely, and although he has some dry mouth, not too bad, thanks to the amifostine. This board has been a wonderful place for us to come for support and knowledge. I usually just lurk now, but wanted to tell you for all of you to hang in there. I always tried to think of what we were going through as a temporary situation to a lifetime of cure. Day by day!
God bless all of you!
Julie