Welcome to OCF!

Since your boyfriend has not yet received a treatment plan, I suggest a second opinion. Im fairly certain there is a Comprehensive Cancer Center (CCC) in your area. Thats a treatment facility where a team based approach is used so all the specialists are on the same page. Hopefully a CCC is an option for your boyfriends treatments. When looking at treatment plans, remember surgeons always say surgery is the way to go, same for radiologists and medical oncologists say chemo is necessary. Also remember once its been removed you cant put it back to its original functionality (even with skin graphs). This is why a second opinion is so important!

List of CCCs

For now, anyone who offers their assistance write down their contact info and tell them when the time comes you will let them know what they can do. People genuinely want to help but often dont know how. When the time comes you will help, dont be afraid to reach out and ask for it. Call the American Cancer Society (their avail 24/7) and get the paperwork started for volunteer drivers and also you can ask for help with either prescription or transportation cost help (up to $300).

If he hasnt already done blood tests, make certain they are testing his thyroid and testosterone levels. If doing rads, your bf may have problems years down the road with his thyroid. A blood test now ensures he will know what his regular baseline thyroid levels should be. Taking a pill a day to manage the thyroid isnt a big deal, but getting the baseline level is.

Your bf should also see his dentist right away for a good check up, cleaning and for flouride trays to get made. If he has any teeth that arent in good shape he should get them pulled prior to starting rads (if he is doing rads). Any major dental work after having rads can be a real pain so get everything taken care of now.

And now the biggest thing you and your BF will need to focus on for at least the next year or more... his intake. If you spend any time reading posts on our site you will learn I am the one who always nags everyone about their intake. Im trying to help them to avoid the pitfalls that I went thru during my treatments. I was hospitalized several times for malnutrition and dehydration. I cant stress enough how vitally important your BF's intake is. Every single day he must take in a minimum of 2500 calories and 48-64 oz of water. If he can do more that will only help make everything easier. Your BF should start right away and eat all his favorites now, desserts too. If he is slim or average build he needs to put on a few extra pounds. He shouldnt worry about gaining a couple pounds, he will probably be like most of us and lose weight during his treatments. When a person has cancer they burn up calories at an dramatically increased rate. During treatments and recovery he must boost his intake or he will have problems making him feel horrible. By starting to focus on intake now it will make it much easier to track daily during treatments and recovery.

I hope this will help make things easier for you both. Read and educate yourself about this horrible disease. By learning about OC, you can help by being a strong advocate for your BF. As a caregiver you have a tough job. Please remember to take time for just you too. You dont want to get burned out as it usually leads to getting overwhelmed. Hang in there, we will help you both get thru this.

Best wishes!!!