Hi Archie

Sorry to hear that your dad has to deal with this disease. The radiotherapy assistant/ nurse should be able to give your dad all the appropriate lotions and potions that he needs throughout his treatments.

I was given a bag full of medications and lotions for everything. Mouthwash for mouth ulcers, lotions for my neck, medication for constipation, painkillers and so on. They should give him all the tools he needs to make the treaments as bearable as possible

It would be a good idea to speak with the doctor regarding a PEG tube. Your dad really needs to keep up his calorie intake during this time. The radiotherapy just zaps all of the goodness out of our bodies. His body will need to stay full of nutrition to fight the damage that radiotherapy does. The hospital can also supply Ensure (a supplement drink) to him. The nutritionist or dietician at the hospital can organise this. They will deliver a supply of this to your dads home.

Also, he should keep drinking lots of water to ensure that he stays hydrated throughout the treatments.

Karen