Ellen, hang in there! Keeping the weight stable is a big accomplishment. Keep up the good work! Good luck with the chemo on Friday!

Ellen: I'll say a prayer that everything goes okay with your hubby's chemo Friday. Good luck with keeping the weight up - that's so hard, but it can be done, as you have read from other Forum members. As time goes by, and hopefully things get better, you'll have stories to tell like the funny one Cecilia told about her husband, Martin. Hope hubby keeps eating by mouth, even a little bit every day because it does strengten the muscles he uses when he swallows - that is so important.
julieann

I wanted to know everything that was about to happen and no bull from the Drs. That way I knew and didn't think about it but took it as it happened. I wanted to know for the simple reason, I didn't want to awake to any surprises unless it was something that happened while I was out in La La land.

Whatever the doctors tell your husband to do as far as swallowing exercises, jaw exercises, Aquaphor on radiation site, salt/soda mouth rinses, etc. encourage him to do. I feel like that helped me come through my treatments in better shape. I drank lots of Ensure, Carnation Instant Breakfast, Boost, Special K protein, water, shakes, ate lots of ice cream and my husband made many trips to the grocery store trying to come up with things I could eat - I did not need a feeding tube because I was determined to eat/drink and not lose too much weight. Sometimes it took me awhile to get things down but I did it. Don't take it personally if your husband gets cranky when you encourage him to eat. I knew I needed to eat but I didn't feel like it and with my husband telling me to eat, it just reinforced what I didn't want to do but knew I needed to do.
It helped me to know that I would still feel crummy at least 2 weeks after treatment ended.That way I wasn't thinking that everything would be rosy as soon as my last treatment ended. I was able to taste some food about 6 weeks after ending treatment. It will get better, just keep that in the back of your mind.

To go the other way. I am still down over 70 lbs and my taste just keeps getting almost nonexistent. I force and do my best to get nourishment into this old body and then like a fool, go outside and work it back off. I have a good sweat going tight now from replacing gutter guards the storms took out. Now after another shower, I'll be ready to rumble. Good luck to your man and his caregiver. We at times just have to be hardheads.

Thanks all. It is becoming very hard for my hubby to eat. He just detests the lack of taste. Going to try to keep doing Ensure. Shakes and any food that he will eat. I am getting to more and more like nurse Ratchet. I cannot imagine how awful his mouth is but do not want him to forget how to swallow.

Wow Jim. You are a real trooper, your history is amazing. I think you are fantastic, not a hardhead. We are doing our best here and I am in awe of all of you.

For some odd reason, I enjoyed the taste of yoo-hoo during radiation. The cold drink felt soothing in my sore mouth and throat. It was as thin as water so I found it easy to drink. Give it a try, maybe your husband would enjoy it.

Christine, funny you should mention that because he likes drinks that are chocolate. I will try that, thanks.