Also they gave Dad an option today of doing his treatment inpatient or outpatient. I wasn't aware that there was an inpatient option. Does anyone know how this works? Is he in hospital for entire 18 weeks? He chose outpatient, but Dr. did say that if they needed him to be in they would change that.

Thanks so much...
Tabitha

Hi Tabitha, as far as I know, radiation and chemo treatment are usually applied as outpatient service unless the patient is too weak to travel from home to hospital. I went to the hospital every day for five weeks for my treatment. Then when my oncologist discovered that I lost too much weight due to difficulty in eating and drinking, I was admitted to hospital. There were 9 more days left before completing the whole treatment.Then I stayed in hospital for ten more days and was discharged when my oncologist was satisfiend with my condition. To be an inpatient, you are more closely watched by your doctors who will take care of your problems like mouth sore, skin burns, nutrition, blood counts, etc. This is my experience in Hong Kong and I guess there isn't much difference in the States.

Karen stage 4 tonsil cancer diagnosed in 9/01.

I agree with Karen. If I had the choice to be hospitalized, I would have taken it - at least through the chemotherapy part. You have to be your own doctor practically and there is very little room for errors. I ended up in the ER twice. Plus, like Karen ssiad, they will be monitoring your food and water intake.

I am really glad to know the option is there. Even though he wants outpatient, if there are problems, or complications that the family can't handle...then we can turn to the inpatient services. I think the big thing is going to be him communicating his needs to the people helping him. He is very self reliant and it will be difficult for him to lose that.

Tabitha