@pat80 I feel you. Same type cancer. My tumor was in the crease of my nostril. After a 9 1/2 hour surgery (tumor removal,free flap and neck dissection) I'm starting radiation therapy next week.

@pat80 Hello and welcome to the Head and Neck cancer group. I wish we all could have avoided radiation yet it seems to be in the plan eventually. Hopefully you can get Proton, which is far more precise. However likely you need a larger coverage area. All I will say is to ensure your radiation oncologist has experience specifically in head and neck cancers. Don't hesitate to ask because this is important for you, the patient.
The side effects are not enjoyable yet most of us recover eventually to a point of a somewhat new normal. Understand that initially it seems rather easy and simple with little side effects. In the last 30% of treatments it becomes a bit difficult to manage. Some people request a nasal feeding tube at this point, which allows you to be nourished whilst being able to swallow fluids such as ice water.
When the radiation cycle is completed, many of us tend to go downhill for a few days to a couple of weeks on until recovery begins. Don't be alarmed by this. That said, this is a bit of a challenge ahead for you. This should also end the reoccurrences you have endured and you can look forward to getting that monkey off your back finally.
Don't hesitate to start your own discussion in this forum specific to anything you are going through as this progresses. Many people here have had similar experience and can help. Your own discussion is easier found by many of us here. In the meantime, courage.