I second everything Saxicola has to say. I would add that it's extremely important to pay attention to the emotional impact of treatment as well. Treatment is by its nature traumatic. Having one's head bolted to a table with a rigid mask is traumatic. Having that thick, disgusting mucous is very distressing. Being worried on some level about what will happen, work, the future, our finances, not being able to be the husband cause I'm so damn sick and miserable....is draining and anxiety provoking. One can become overwhelmed with emotions, cry even though he never did that before, and can have times when sadness can become overwhelming. Treatment is tough, but temporary, and somehow we get through it with support and prayers and the help of our friends and loved ones (and the good people on this website). When things are bad it helps to remember that most or much of it will pass: at least some taste will come back, the mucous will thin out and turn to foam, appetite will eventually come back, the sores will heal, the pain will ease and go away (I was lucky and had very little pain, not needing any narcotics until I developed some unusual complications (not directly related to rad or chemo). I kept telling myself it was like brain freeze from eating ice cream too fast: a bi...ch, but temporary, and with my wife's help I was able to bear it--though I did not often grin while doing so...