the mucous build up is terrible and the bane of both my post radiation periods. SELTZER Water was and remains my "miracle" cure. The fizz is just enough to liquefy the mucous so I can spit it out. If your husband can gargle with seltzer, it may help him also. Like EZJim, reclining for any period of time brings on that dry heaving suffocation, so I prop up with an extra large pillow in bed (Target has full body pillows - about two regular pillows long on sale this week for $8)
David's summary of recovery is "spot on". Don't even think of recurrence at this time - focus on each day. I push seltzer water because my mucous is so thick that even when I do hawk it up, it sits on top of the drain until I pour some seltzer on it.
Safeway has the best deal on seltzer- in generic store brand cans . Be sure to buy only the 12 fluid oz cans and NOT the large plastic bottles as otherwise the carbonation dissipates upon opening and you will not get enough fizz to do the trick. Amazing to see the stuff that comes out but psychologically gratifying as you expel the build up.
Good luck
charm