Hello everyone my name is paul and I would like to thank all of you for the fantastic information you have all shared. I will be helping take care of my father in law-Mike who has been diagnosed with stage 4 tongue cancer at the base of the tongue and starts treatment after Christmas. Our family is scared but standing behind mike 100 percent and are going to be working togather to make sure things go as well as we can make them. already he is suffering from not being able to talk well or eat or drink good and has lost weight and is already on morphine. we got him on ensure and I make some very fortifying soups to help him along the way and will start getting ready for whats upcomming, anyways I wish everyone a Happy Holiday and and thank you all again

Welcome to OCF. You have found a great resource for info and support to help you with your father in law. Nutrition and hydration will play a huge role in his treatment and recovery. Every single day he should be getting a minimum of 2500 calories and 48 oz of water. Its not something that can be skimped on one day thinking he can make it up the next. It will help him to get thru this easier by getting enough in. If he is already struggling with his intake, a feeding tube may be a good idea. Many of us have used them. Even if he gets one every single day your FIL must be encouraged to still swallow water. Far bigger problems will occur if his body 'forgets' how to swallow. Hope I have helped you with some important info. Best wishes with the upcoming treatments.

Good luck! We're here for venting, and help! Take care!

Have his cancer slides been tested for HPV?

Oh David, David, David. I don't know you but I love your drive. I agree 100% with your efforts in spreading the word about HPV. When Kevin was diagnosed and we found out it was HPV he wrote a letter to his guys at work. He works on the Arctic Slope in a camp on the oil fields. Predominantly a male population they were shocked to learn of his cancer and the HPV. His employer actually asked him to write an article for their employee quarterly newsletter, which he very willingly did.
It does carry a bit of a negative stigma because of the label std, but really, who actually has only had 1 partner ALL their life. (except my mom! no really.) Kevin's ex-wife had cervical cancer like 18 years ago which was from HPV. We have been married almost 29 years, and now he gets this. So the virus is truly a mystery. Has it been in him all the time? Do I get my paps? You bet!! I'm glad word is getting out there. Hopefully there will be more research funds available soon.
Thanks for your enthusiasm David,
Kathy

Hi Paul!

Welcome to OCF, you came to the right place. Everyone here is great and please feel free to ask any questions that come across your mind. Wishing your father in law Mike the best, I hope he doesn't have a hard time with treatment!

Paul, that's a great thing you're doing helping out your FIL. It's going to be tough, but with your help he'll get through it. Please think of us as your extended family. We're here to help.

Paul!

A big howdy hello to you Mr! Welcome to OCF, glad you found us my friend, sorry you had to!

Keep us updated buddy, we are here for information and support as we all know how scary this path can be, strength in numbers!

Keep your chin up Champ!

Eric

Hi Paul and welcome to our family. Try to get your father in law to eat as much as he can while he is still able. He will lose weight as you have seen already . There are a lot of good foods to eat until the time he can't eat at all. Soups and other good canned things are good but get the low sodium if you can. There are many htings you can make for him too. As a lot of us know, you have to be a food inventor for awhile but well worth it. Give him my best.