Welcome to OCF! You've found yourself a great resource to help you get thru your treatments and recovery for oral cancer. Since this is your first post, Ive moved your post to the Introduce Yourself section. Ive also sent you a private message (PM) with an important link that will help you to quickly learn how best to navigate our online forum. Look for the tiny flashing envelope next to your My Stuff tab and click on it to get your PMs. Please take a few minutes to review the info in the link. Im sure your will find it helpful and in no time you will be posting like a pro

Regarding your blood questions, the best thing you can do is to have a chat with the doc about the most important things to watch for on the blood tests. Your nurses can also be a very helpful in explaining different things as well. OCF's online forum is made up of OC survivors and caregivers who do not have a medical professionals background. We've picked up what we know about OC and treatments by going thru it ourselves so unfortunately we sometimes may not have all the answers for in-depth explanations. When I was going thru oral cancer (OC) the first time, I paid attention to my white counts. The white count is what shows how you are doing with your immunity and ability to fight off colds, flus, etc. The lower white counts can take years to go back to the usual counts so patients need to take extra precautions to avoid anyone who is sick, crowded places which includes schools and children (little germ monsters). Frequent hand washing and using hand sanitizer helps, a mask may also be necessary to avoid airborne bugs that could be picked up causing a dangerous illness in someone who has a compromised immune system.

Your intake is something very important!!! Intake is what helps patients to get thru everything as easily as possible. Make sure every single day to take in at least 48-64 oz of water, especially the day before, of and after getting chemo. You need to help flush that poison out of your system! I know extra fluids are given right with the chemo but its not that much extra, so help yourself by drinking and watching how much you take in. When going thru OC treatments, its very important to focus on your intake. Even if eating becomes more of a chore than it is enjoyable, every single day OC patients need at the very least 2500 calories a day. If you can take more in even 3000 or 3500 daily calories are not too much. If you begin to lose weight, even a pound or 2 thats a sign your intake isnt what it needs to be. At that time, patients must immediately increase their intake or they'll begin to struggle.

Best wishes with everything!!!