The first 2 or 3 weeks after finishing rads is the worst time of the whole process. He probably will have alot of mouth sores, be very fatigued and not want to eat or drink. Its a very dark time. But (as with most of us) around week 2 or 3 he will begin to slow notice small improvements. Around here, we call this "coming out of the tunnel".

Most patients will need someone to make sure no matter what that they take in enough calories (2500 minimum) and also at least 48 oz of water daily. The caregiver will also need to write down all the medications and make sure they are given to the patient at the correct times. As a patient it can become confusing especially if taking lots of pain meds. It becomes really hard to know what time you took the last dose and when the next dose should be taken. There usually arent many doctor appointments during this first 3 weeks. The patient may spend considerable amounts of time in bed. When I had just finished rads, I would be in bed 20-22 hours a day (Im a bit of a wimp and felt pretty lousy so I would sleep).

As far as what if it comes back..... try not to even think about that right now. Any recurrence treatment would be discussed if it would happen. Too much depends on where the tumor would pop up and how long after finishing rads if the patient could do another round. Usually the 2nd round of OC is treated with surgery to remove the tumor. At least thats what happened in my case. Many more patients do ok after they go thru their treatments, a small percentage have to deal with a recurrence. It could be years down the road if something like that were to happen. Best to focus on the here and now than what if. Having a recurrence is every cancer patients worst fear.

To help with recovery try to encourage small goals to be set. Like getting the mail or walking to the corner of the block, then a couple days later walking around the block, etc. By giving the patient something to look forward to it helps to get them out of bed and moving around which really does help them to recover. For all of us, the recovery process cant happen quickly enough. It is a frustrating time, full of ups and downs. Relearning how to eat when most things taste like burnt cardboard and get stuck in your throat isnt a fun experience. The thick mucous will be replaced with dry mouth. Best to push a minimum of 2500 calories and 48 oz of water every single day for the first year. Ask the doc or nutritionist if beginning to add some high protein whey powder to liquids to boost protein intake will help them with recovery. If the patient is struggling with fluids and not feeling the best, they may be dehydrated so at that point ask the doc for a prescription to get hydrated a few times a week. This can be an ongoing thing starting at anytime.

Your brother should be ok with his wife as the caregiver as long as she can stay on top of everything I mentioned above, especially nutrition and water intake. Thats a huge issue for almost all OC patients and it can quickly lead to malnutrition and dehydration if the patient becomes too stubborn and refuses to take in enough every day. I was a stubborn one who slept instead of setting up the feedings so I was hospitalized a few times and it was not fun.

The next few weeks will not be easy ones. Your brother is very lucky to have you in his corner helping him thru this. Hope you remember to take time for yourself sometimes too.

Good luck!!!