Amanda,
Like David, I didn't have surgery either. Has there been any talk about getting a peg tube for feeding and nutrition? My ENT put mine in before treatment started. I understand how you feel reassured once a plan was in place for treatment.

Something to check into is whether your hospital has a place near it for your parents to stay for free during the week for treatment. I went to University Hospital in Cleveland and there was a place called the Hope Lodge which was run by the American Cancer Society. My wife and 12 yr old daughter stayed their for free while I was in the hospital each of the weeks getting my chemo. Talk to a social worker at the hospital.