Boston, your father has a few more rough weeks to get thru before things improve. It will be about the next month that is difficult for him.

The mucous can be very annoying. Try having him take musinex or robitussin. Of course check with his doctors first. Several people here have had to use a suction machine to help get rid of the mucous.

As far as pain goes. Ask his doctors about a pain patch called fentynal. Thats what I used and it worked great for me. Many others here have also used it successfully. Its easy, put the patch on and change it every 3 days. Watch for side effects, just like with any medication.

The last 2 weeks of rad. are the most difficult and every day gets progressively harder. Also the first 2 weeks after it is finished are hard too. The rad. keeps working even after you finish tx.

Stay positive and be there to help your dad. Now is the time most of us struggled. Make sure he is drinking and eating as much as possible weather by mouth or peg tube. Minimum 2500 calories per day and shoot for 64 oz water, but 48oz is still good. The more he drinks the better, it helps with phlem and his swallowing function. If he hasnt been stretching his mouth open wide, make sure he does so several times per day.

Best of luck with continuing treatments.