 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | 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.
ChristineSCC 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  | 
