Hi Everyone -

I'm Maureen's daughter. I was down visiting Mom and Dad this past week. First time seeing Dad since his dx in mid-March. He has lost about thirty pounds and looks weak. As much as Mom tried to warn me, it was still pretty rough seeing Dad looking "beat up" by the radiation and chemo. He is in his fifth week of treatment now. One more to go. He is trying to tough out his treatment rather than take advantage of his new suction machine, the lozenges for pain in his throat, the salve for his burns which are beginning to bleed. He has a PEG tube as of two weeks ago but he refuses to have more than four cans a day now....and many days it is only two. I just sent him an email asking if what I saw during my visit was the quiet determination of a tough guy or someone who is giving up? I implored him to take advantage of what is available to help him deal with the symptoms. He looks depressed.

He has been rehydrated twice already. Help. What do we do? Mom doesn't want to upset him but worries that he isn't trying to take care of himself at all. Dad has stage III, base of tongue and tonsil.

Please advise us. Thank God for this site....it is sustaining my family.

God Bless You All.
Laurie