 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 7 | Welcome to OCF! Glad you have found this site to help you both get thru everything. Being a caregiver can be a difficult job so please remember take care of you too and make some time weekly just for you so you can clear your head.
The best advice I can give is to be treated at one of the major comprehensive cancer centers and watch the nutrition/hydration. Your husband will need at least 2500 calories and 48 oz of water every single day. No skimping thinking he can make it up the next day. Playing catch up never works and can lead to malnutrition and dehydration. During his treatments the doc can write a prescription for your husband to have hydration a few times a week to make sure he doesnt get dehydrated. This is especially important if getting chemo to flush the poisons out of his body so they dont do kidney damage.
Your husband should visit the dentist and have any dental work done now before treatments begin. he needs a flouride tray made as well to use during treatments. He needs a complete blood count done including thyroid and a hearing test. If getting cisplatin me needs to be very aware of any changes in his hearing even a slight difference needs to be discussed with the chemo doc so they can change his chemo before permanent damage is done.
There is alot to do before treatments begin. Everyone will want to help so tell them when the time comes you will let them know what they can do. Write down everyones name and number and dont be shy, call them if you need something. People really do want to help and arent sure what to do so speak up if you need a hand. The American Cancer Society will help pay for prescriptions or transportation to and from treatments. Call them and also ask for help with rides to treatments. Believe it or not, once or twice a week having someone drive your husband really is a huge help. I do volunteer driving for the ACS when I have time.
Hope I didnt overwhelm you with too much info. Better to be prepared than to struggle down the road.
If you have questions, ask and we will help you.
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  | 
