Angie, I did the surgery/rad/chemo trip twice, each time was different. No PEG tube either time. First time was 1/6 of tongue/neck dissection followed by rad/chemo to tongue and neck. Finished up on Thanksgiving, didn't go back to work until second week in Jan. Because rad treatments were twice a day and a long trip away, didn't work any of the time. Might have been able to work the first 3 weeks first time around. Last week of treatment wound back in hospital to get fed by IV, hurt way too much to eat orally.

Second time was to get spread to other side of neck and lymph nodes. Again modified neck dissection, followed by rad/chemo to neck only. Was fully ambulatory following surgery, actually worked half day the day I got out of the hospital. Again logistics prevailed, but probably could have worked up unil the second to last week or rad, just too tired. Went back to work 2 weeks after completing rad the second time around, got chewed out from docs for going back to work so soon. Main issue second time was dry mouth, sore throat the last couple of weeks, some radiation hit the trachea.

Sounds like your brother's surgery was more extensive than mine, I'd say a month could be pushing it, depends on how good health he is in otherwise, and how stubborn he is to get back to work. As far as working during rad, everyone reacts different it seems. Again depends on how stubborn your brother is. Attitude seems to be more than half the game.