Just an update. I am scheduled for my feeding tube wed. Will have to stay in the hospital that night and have my first rad treatment the following day at noon. Chemo the 10th or 11th.

Finally getting this show on the road. I've been off since last Wed. Enjoying the baby and taking my oldest to and from school. Funny how this can make you wake up and appreciate life so much.

Maintaining my weight as of now. Pain is still horrible but I've just gotten used to it. May try and up my patch next time I see the doc.

getting nervous the closer it gets. i know the side effects may not come for a few weeks. it's knowing once i start there is no looking back.

Do the best you can to eat all your favorites now. Your sense of taste will change and swallowing will get difficult. This is temporary but will be an annoyance that seems to hang around for longer than it should.

Line up anyone who offers to help you. Write down their name and number and let them know you will call them when the time comes. It could be for anything, to babysit the little one or a play date for the older child. Anything that will give your family a break to have a bit of normalcy or quiet.

Call the American Cancer Society. They will help with transportation to your treatments. I am a volunteer driver for my area and take patients for appointments. They will also provide you with either a $300 voucher for the pharmacy or up to $300 to help cover the costs of transportation to treatments. The pharmacy voucher will cover your co-pays on prescriptions. Some pills can cost over $100 per pill before insurance. Either way you decide to use the $300, it will help.

Be prepared to take in every single day a minimum of 2500 calories and 48 oz of water. This is not optional and must be done every single day. If not you will quickly become dehydrated and malnourished and wind up hospitalized. Im not trying to scare you but I want you to be aware going into this of what is mandatory. Ive spent too many nights crying in the hospital for malnutrition and dehydration, I felt horrible and I dont want to see that happen to you. Dont skimp one day thinking you can make it up the next one cuz that never happens, playing catch up doesnt work. Also you need to swallow every single day, even just sips of water is ok to keep the swallowing muscles active so they dont forget.

Make sure you have dental trays made for flouride and a full blood count including thyroid and testosterone levels. Better to go into this prepared so you can sail right thru and move on to your recovery. The better your nutrition, the easier this will be for you. If you need help with the feeding tube, I am full of little tricks that will make it easier. Make sure you ask for a pump so you can do feedings while you sleep. By doing some of the feeding at night it will make it so you dont have to push so much during the day.

Best wishes with everything!!!!

WOW, Josh. Christine really hit on just about anything that you can expect. I'm so glad you found this Forum. Right now is the time to eat every and anything you desire and not worry about calories. I wasn't lucky enough to have found the Forum when I was at your stage in the game , and had no one to tell me about the importance of nutrition and hydration, so I lost a bunch of weight and wasn't big to begin with. Again, you're ready to go, and come back often to let us know how things are going and seek help, if necessary.
Your Alabama Buddy, Julieann