Welcome Rich,
1. In addition to the TSH baseline David mentioned, a baseline eye exam, testosterone, creatinine, and hemoglobin levels, with the last two are common with your blood test monitoring.
I underestimated chemo, so went in thinking I was stronger lol, not even knowing what chemo I was getting, just that it was Induction chemo. I was exercising during my week in the hospital, walking around, doing push-ups, using the room chair as weights, but things went down real fasttje 5th day.
As far as exercise, moderation. Excessive exercise can lower your immune system. I was a gym rat most my life since 15, was 245 before treatment, and lost 110 pounds in a matter of weeks. Maybe it was my exercise reigning that pulled me though from near death, which lasted 8 months, but some things may not be prevented, and just happen.
The other is going onto public places can expose one to infections with a compromised immune system, so precautions should be taken, limited, and with any yard work, even hospitals.
Definitely get the fluoride trays, prescription fluoride, and other oral care suggested. I didn't, long story, I knew about them, and did not want to even go near a hospital after my experience, so I went to a local one instead of an oncology one, and none were recommended. And went along with that. Again, I thought I was somewhat stronger lol, and now I'm going to need all my teeth removed due to deminerlization, cavities thuus breaking off, cracking, falling out.
Get copies of every blood test, scans, the cd's, reports, surgical and pathology reports. It's good for knowing, and for reference in the future, and would need for any consultations.
Many more like preparing yourself if things worsen, like seeing about finances, employment, benefits, not being able to work, insurance continuation. The social worker at the hospital pre-treatment even suggested filing for SSDI. I was like you're kidding me in my mind. Turns out I needed it, but didn't get a chance to file until 8 months later when I was released from the hospital, critical care nursing home, but had to learn about, apply, given contradictory information while in my hospital bed as fast as short term disability, long term disability, and employment benefits with
2. There are many studies with radiation alone in HNC vs with Chemoradiation, which has better outcome, but no difference in overall survival, I believe, which I can't figure out when Chemoradiation has fewer recurrences, more local-regional control, less distant metastases off the top of my head, but radiation alone does have less toxicities.
Good luck.
