Most of us had 7 weeks of RT (30+ days). I was able to each and drink somewhat normally for the first few weeks, but towards the end of RT I was on a liquid diet. This lasted for months after RT was completed (I was a extremely slow healer). My RT was aimed on the right side of my mouth and neck, so the salivary glands in that area have been permanently damaged. I do have dry mouth issues to this day, but the salivary glads on the left side still function

There is medication they can give your husband to increase saliva production (salegen - sp?). Most of us were also prescribed "magic mouthwash" to use during RT - it is a compound prescription rinse that typically contains 3 different medications (something for pain, nystatin, etc.).

Many patients get a feeding tube (peg tube) because if is difficult to maintain adequate nutrition during treatment. My mouth was full of painful blisters/ulcers towards the end of RT (and months post RT), but my throat was not. So I was able to drink a lot of nutritious smoothies for my nutrition, lost a lot of weight, but not too much so I was able to avoid getting a peg tube.