Whatever anyone tells you about their Tx please remember that everyone can react differently.

So no chemo is planned?

Most likely with radiation:

You will loose most of your taste early on;

Your taste wioll mostly come back but may take all of 2 years post Tx;

You will develop swallowing difficulties and must depend upon a liquid diet for your calories;

You will secret a thick mucous towards the end of Tx that can last a few weeks but will stop;

You will develop dry mouth as your saliva glands suffer from the radiation damage;

Your dry mouth will improve but, like your taste issues, may take all of 2 years to recovery to their new level;

The few weeks POST Tx are usually the worst time we all have so just be prepared;

Your recovery can take all of 2 years with the first few months being the most challenging and the first year worst than the 2nd year.

That said there are a few things I would recommend:

Get with your dentist and make sure they know you are about to undergo radiation;

Get your TSH tested pre radiation and record that number in case your thyroid craps out post Tx;

Do start eating and eating and eating everything in sight especially your favorite foods;

Do try and consume 2500 cals and 48 oz of water each and every day starting NOW;

Do write down any question you think of and ask your docs and us;

Do keep a positive attitude as you will be able to finish this Tx and you will walk out of that tunnel and you will recover from this Tx.