Hi Michele,
My Boyfriend got the thick mucous, then dryness and difficulty (impossibility) swallowing. As above the PEG is a good idea if as soon as it becomes to painful to swallow, don't wait and get the PEG, it takes the pressure and pain out of eating.
You also get very burnt skin on the outside of the neck, like the most terrible sunburn. Martin was prescribed Aqueous cream. I used to smother him in it 3 times a day and put a very light cloth provided by the hospital so that clothes didn't rub. His skin on the neck smelt quite bad, but the skin never wept or bled. i think it's because I was a bit over zealous with the moisturising cream but it worked. One day in the shower martin gently rubbed his neck and all of the smelly old skin fell off to reveal nice new skin.
KEEP MOISTURISED WATERED AND FED.

Girlfriend to Martin 49 years old at diagnosis
Diagnosed with SCC unknown primary June 2008.
Cancer found in single node Stage N2A (3 to 6cm).
Tonsilectomy 16th june, Radical modified neck dissection left side 30th june.
30 TX radiotherapy ended 9th October
First comparative study scan came back clear