Can't help much but can tell you I work with a 70 + old fart. This time last year he was diagnosed with cancer in throat. He had smoked since he was 12. It had spread to lymph nodes. His wife mentioned it being stage 3. He started chemo in January...cant remember, but I think it was twice a week. He didn't look well to say the least. He kept saying....no problem, be back to work in the spring, etc. Needless to say, with his age and condition, we at work weren't nearly as optimistic as he was.
He came back to work the first week of March ,and despite losing quite a lot of weight, looked pretty well all things considered. He's doing well but still smokes.
Just saying this so that you know there is hope for sure.
Best of luck to you and your family through this.