If there were 5 things you could suggest to help someone understand/cope/survive during the process of having Cancer and going through treatments in the early stages, what would they be?

(I would love to pass this on to my Dad as bullet points... quick easy reading that could be helpful to him. Thank you!)

1. Keep your nutrition up...try to gain...because you will likely lose as you go forward.
2. Keep your calories up...use high calorie milks, juices and foods.
3. Get a jump on the pain and always be ready to move up the pain relief ladder as necessary.
4. Try to do normal things every day, like take a walk, until that gets to hard.
5. Then, just let your body dictate how much rest you need and go with that.
6. Ask questions when you have any uncertainty
7. Don't pack your pants with weighty items just to look like you didn't loose weight that week.
8. Don't let anyone poke you more than 2 times if you don't have a port. Demand an expert who knows how to work with chemo veins. (My husband got poked for an hour in the chemo lab...and, we didn't know we had options). When they got a qualified person in, they got the needle in with one poke. Oh, what a frustrating day. Or, the one we refer to as the day Dan was a human pin cushion.
9. Be sure you know what thrush is and be prepared to get a rx called in to a 24 hour pharmacy if you have one. The sooner you treat it the better as it can cause a great deal of pain during rt.

Let me know if this is helpful or if you are looking for more specific information.

1. Stay positive! While the inclination is to go into a funk and a "Poor me" frame of mind, those things lead to inactivity and "What's the use?" thinking.

2. Listen to the doctors and do EXACTLY what they say. No "bargaining" on the treatment.

3. Stay active! Walk, work, play, do anything you can. You can do more than you will feel like you can do. Some days you just want to stay in bed -- get up and go for a walk, even if it is just around the living room. Work puzzles, read books, continue at your job as long as possible. Get the rest you need, but do not use cancer as an excuse to lie around.

4. Lots and lots of water, and eat, eat, eat. Everyone will nag you about this, but it is vital to keep your energy up.

5. Listen to your body. Sense what the new normal is, and ask questions as things change. Don't be afraid to call your doctor.


Those things got me through. Of course, be sure you go to a CCC if you can. A little knowledge can make a big difference.

Jeff, I like the avatar you have chosen. It seems to fit you to a T.. LOL and I mean that in a nice way. Also knew I would see a post here from you.. Keep up the good work old buddy..

1. EAT!!!! Eat like crazy now. Eat anything and everything you want. During treatment your mouth and throat will get sore and things lose their taste. It will be weeks possibly several months before you can eat normally again, so eat now.

2. Drink tons of water. Radiation will make even water taste different. But drink anyway to avoid dehydration and hospital stays. By drinking water you will retain your swallowing function and make it easier on yourself down the road.

3. Take your medications for pain and anti-nasuea. The pain patch is the easiest and works the best for controlling pain. Ask for Magic mouthwash too, it will help when the mouth gets sore. Take the anti-nasuea meds even if you arent naseous. Nasuea needs to be controlled before it starts not after when you cant keep meds down. Ask about depression medications too. Dont be ashamed this is something most oral cancer patients will need, so ask now.

4. Listen to everything your doctors say and do it. It will make this journey so much easier for you. Be honest with your doctors about how you feel. Dont be afraid to ask questions, remember they work for you!

5. Make a daily goal for yourself even if its as simple as walking to the mailbox or taking a shower everyday. It helps to give you a purpose daily and makes you feel a little more in control of yourself. If you are too tired for your daily goal, try the next day, just never give up.

6. Rest when you need it. Somedays will be tough to get up and do anything, but at least try. Dont feel guilty if you sleep most of the day at the end of treatments and the first 3 weeks after. This is normally a the hardest time for most people.

All of the above, plus:

1) Accept any help offered
2) Write everything down--appointments, medications, side effects, feelings
3) Record every single PLUS POINT--achieving is sometimes achieved just by coping!--a smile or a mouthful of water deserves 2 stars!!
4) For you AND dad---don't be afraid to bawl your eyes out when you need to.
5) Don't blame anyone or anything--just accept and take 1 day at a time towards healing.
Just my '5 cents' worth

Brenda

I knew you could count on the residents here to give you a few pointers. They are great.

1. Consume at least 2000 calories each and every day. Try Carnation Instant Breakfast VHC. Don't short today thinking you will make it up tomorrow because you will probably feel just as bad or worse tomorrow.

2. Drink at least 48 ozs of water each and every day.

3. Sleep and rest as much as you feel like it.

4. Call the doctors, nurses immediately if you have a question or something bothers you.

5. Visit this site every day as it's full of extremely valuable information, help and insight.

1. Get past the denial and self pity crap, decide to fight and live, focus on that.
2. The Doctors are in charge, but they are not god, talk to several, get a consensus. You must believe in the treatment your going trough.
3. Eat , exercise, sleep. You may be like me and have ignored your health your whole life, you can't do that anymore.
4. Take the meds, always, when your supposed to. They will have side effects, lot's of side effects, just tell the doctors.
5. It's a long ordeal, it's OK to breakdown, just get back up and face the next day.

1. Lean on those you love for support
2. Don't fight your primary caregiver [he\she is trying to look out for your best interests.
3. Communicate with those around you in the most honest, effective way you can- this includes family, Doctors, nurses, etc.
4. Let your loved ones batle this with you.