Thank you Nina - Yes, I am scared too. Anyone in the circumstances are are in would be crazy to not be scared. But, your husband and I will both get through our trials. I had a partial glossectomy in Sept 2012 followed by radiation with Cituximab chemo. The treatment was no pleasure, but I got through it. It helped me mentally to just take each day as it came and not think too far ahead. I divided the 30 treatments up mentally into weekly milestones rather than counting them one by one. I could celebrate getting through each week.

I don't know about "regular" chemo side-effects since I did not have standard chemo. The worse side effects from the Cituximab was a face full of pimples which were controlled by antibiotics.

The radiation wrecked my sense of taste pretty quickly. I also developed dry mouth and plenty of mouth sores. I had been taking food by mouth by that time, so I forced myself to keep eating even though most things tasted awful. Cream of Wheat and scrambled eggs were two of the foods I could tolerate most, so I ate these all the time. The peg tube supplied about half my nutrition during my treatment. Again, this was with a partial glossectomy, but I would imagine radiation side effects would be much the same either way. If they clear your husband to take anything by mouth during the treatment, it is important that he do so even if it's unpleasant. As Tammy says, we don't want those muscles to forget how to work.

After the treatment ends, it takes much longer to recover than one would think. Be patient and think in terms of months, not days or weeks.

I am sorry your husband has to face this at such a young age (or any time!), but at the same time it's great that he's young and strong. I am 57. Not ancient, but it feels that way these days.

I will be eager to hear how your husband does with eating and swallowing. I used to think that was a big deal with the partial glossectomy, but my eating was really pretty normal until the recurrence. I am worried about what it will be like when I have the full glossectomy.

Best wishes to you and your husband!