Worried about my husband who had throat cancer: How to support him?

I had the same cancer and treat 7 chemo and 35 radiation and a treach Also went for hyperbaric oxygen treatment 2hrs-a day 5 days a week for 60 days saved my voice box also had a feeding tube which stopped my weight loss and gave me strength to fight back Be there for him it’s a difficult and emotional thing to go through but it will get better be patient and all taste will come back takes time and rest last thing to come back is energy.Keep the faith it gets better

Hi. I have cancer in my neck and paralyzed vocal cords, so I can relate and give some direct advice on what has helped me throughout treatment and recovery from surgeries, radiation, chemo, etc.

- since nerves are impacted I got some relief by taking the drug gabapentin. I still occasionally take one at nighttime, or a Tylenol if I'm having some pain.

- Eating can be difficult, and things may not taste the same. Protein is key. I eat a lot of yogurt (look for high protein low sugar), smoothies with protein powder, ensure or boost type shakes, soups.
Oatmeal! I was never an oatmeal eater but I get a rolled oats with ancient grains, add chia seeds and then an instant packet of apple cinnamon fortified with extra vitamins, and then I chopped up bananas and blueberries.

There is a cookbook called "the Cancer Fighting Kitchen" by Rebecca Katz. lots of info in her books. Salmon is soft. mashed potatoes, Everything is going to need a sauce. popsicles - Pedialyte Popsicles with electrolytes. During radiation I allowed myself to eat cheesecake, because it was soft. I pureed strawberries and blueberries on top. ice cream.
- Tea. I am constantly drinking green tea with honey. I also have a soursop tea that is an anti-inflammatory. I drink this one at night.
- Sleeping. The pain and breathing difficulties would make it hard to sleep. I used CBD drops at night, tea before bedtime, and a gabapentin or Tylenol. I would also listen to healing frequencies on YouTube.
- Exercising: motion is the lotion! Once I started the drug treatments it was difficult for me to do much. even a small bit of gardening was difficult. start with a short walk down the street and back. I do an exercise class regularly so that helps a lot.

Recovery takes awhile. I have watched so many shows and read so many novels. Eating definitely helped me regain energy. the dietician told me to try to eat a little something every hour or so.

I hope this helps!

Thank you for commenting ma'am I'll save this comment.

I remembered one more very important thing. alkaline water with a high PH (7.5-9.5) tastes and feels so much better on the throat. Also Aloe drinks are soothing.