welcome to OCF. Im so glad you have found us so we can help you. Dont worry we will be with you both to help you with info and support. There is so much to do to prepared for radiation. I hope lots of people have come forward and offered their help. Write down everyones name and number so you can call them when you really need a hand. Just tell everyone who asks that when the time comes you will let them know. There are all kinds of things friends and relatives can do to help.

Im glad to hear your husband has gotten his teeth taken care of. He should also have flouride trays made. This is very important to take good care of his teeth as radiation will do a number on his teeth.

He should get a hearing test and a complete blood count including thyroid. It might be a good idea to see a nutritionist. Since your husband has already lost weight, a feeding tube could be something he will need. This has been discussed and debated many times over the years. For some people it is a wonderful tool to help keep them hydrated and with enough calories. Others sail right thru without needing it. I had one for my chemo/rads and still lost 65 pounds. Have your husband eat all he can now. Make sure he has all of his favorites so he wont have cravings and regrets later. Radiation will change his ability to taste and swallow so for a while it might get difficult for him. Every single day he should get 2500+ calories and 48+ oz of water. Make sure as the caregiver to keep careful track of this as it is vital to how easily he gets thru this. Even one day he cant skimp figuring to make it up the next, it doesnt work like that. He MUST get proper nutrition and hydration every single day. I cant stress this enough. I went thru heck and would stay in bed sleeping instead of taking enough in and I ended up hospitalized for malnutrition and dehydration. Of course we are all different, I wasnt lucky enough to have a caregiver so I struggled.

Make sure your husband always has someone with him at appointments. Write down all the questions and the answers. Another set of ears is important as there is so much to take in its easy to overlook something important. Some members have tape recorder their doctor sessions so they can play it back later.

I hope you have sought out a second opinion especially since the cancer your husband has is so rare. A cancer center is usually the best choice for treatments as they are most experienced and a whole team would be discussing your husbands case and all working together to heal him.

Please feel free to ask any questions. There is also tons of important info on the main OCF pages.

Best wishes with everything!