Make a list of everyone who has offered help. Include their phone numbers. Be prepared to see changes in people. Some close friends and relatives will run for the hills when things get rough for you. Then the day after you finish they will call and ask if you are better yet.

Try to have one person as your go to person. You should arrange for someone close to you that will stay with you towards the end of treatment and the first week or 2 after you finish. I didnt have a caregiver and I suffered!!!!! Not trying to scare you only trying to prepare you so that you have someone who can help you. This isnt like getting the flu, you will need help and when you are feeling the worst thats when someone needs to be with you and give you a hand. If your support system is in place, thats great.

If you havent done so already, call the American Cancer Society. They will help you with paying up to $300 for prescriptions or the co-pays, reimbiurse you for mileage you use going back and forth to rad treatments, and/or give you someone to drive you to treatments. I lived 45 minutes away from the hospital and was lucky enough to have a driver 3 or 4 times.

You could lose your voice towards the end of treatment. i lost mine for a couple weeks, my kids loved it smile I used a dry erase board.

I hope everything works out for you like you have planned.


Christine
SCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44
2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07
-65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr
Clear PET 1/08
4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I
surg 4/16/08 clr marg
215 HBO dives
3/09 teeth out, trismus
7/2/09 recur, Stg IV
8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy
3wks medicly inducd coma
2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit
PICC line IV antibx 8 mo
10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg
OC 3x in 3 years
very happy to be alive smile