Paul, welcome to OCF! You have found the best site to help you get thru your battle. Stick with us and we will help you with info and support.

There are so many appointments and tests to do before starting treatments. Set up an appointment to see your dentist. You will need molds of your teeth to make flouride trays if doing rads. Also get a good dental check up with any questionable teeth pulled. You also should have a full blood work up including thyroid and testosterone counts.

Even if you would end up with a feeding tube, you still will want to swallow at least water several times per day to keep your swallowing muscles active. Believe it or not they can quickly forget when not being used daily.

Your intake must become your main priority starting right now until at the very least you hit your one year post rads anniversary. Every single day you should be taking in a minimum of 2500 calories and 48-64 oz of water. If you lead an active lifestyle and are working out you would need more, maybe even 3500 calories daily. No it is NOT too much! Your body is compromised at this time so it burns calories at an incredible rate. During recovery you will need to rebuild your body so it needs extra calories to do so. This is something you cant skimp on. Not even for one day as it quickly turns into a downward spiraling cycle which ends with malnutrition and dehydration, both are not fun.

Anyone who offers assistance to you, take down their name and number. Tell them when the time comes you need help you will let them know what they can do. You may need a hand with picking up prescriptions from the pharmacy, doing a load of laundry, helping you with light housekeeping or even driving you to treatments. Many patients lost their ability to drive due to pain meds so its a good plan to line up some helpers.

I also suggest going to a major comprehensive cancer center (CCC) for a second opinion. Below is a list of CCC's. They are the countries top hospitals to treat cancer. The CCC facilities all use a team based approach where the specialists get together so everyone is on the same page. If you cant get to a CCC, there is also a list of the top US hospitals. Look for a teaching hospital or university hospital. Find the best medical care you can and get another opinion.


CCC list

US News Best Hospitals List

Its a long road but you will get thru it. Feel free to ask us any questions you might think of. We will help you as much as possible, you're family now. Best wishes!