Welcome to OCF! you have found the right place to get help to guide both you and your husband thru treatments and recovery.

Radiation is not easy! Its also cumulative. As your husband goes thru treatments, it will get progressively more difficult and most patients feel the side effects more and more as time goes on. He is only 2 weeks in and has a long road ahead of him. The very best thing you can do is to focus on what is within your control which is his intake. Every single day he needs to take in at least 2500 calories and 48-64 oz of water. Those numbers are MINIMUMS! If he can take more in like 3000 or even 3500 calories and 64 or 80 oz of water a day it will only help make everything easier.

As far as his sore throat goes, make certain to discus this with the doc. Try having him rinse several times per day with a mixture of 16oz warm water, 1 tsp baking soda and 1 tsp salt. If his throat is painful ask the doc for prescription pain meds and also a prescription for magic mouthwash. Being in pain is detrimental to the patient. Even if he isnt one to take medicine, now is the time to use whatever tools are necessary to get him thru the next few hard weeks. Many pain meds comes in liquid form which is so much easier than trying to swallow a horse pill when his throat is raw. There is also the fentanyl patch which many have used (including myself). This patch is easy as it gets changed every 3 days. Just be sure to read and follow all directions to the letter. A few pointers are to never fold, bend, tear, rip, cut or otherwise damage the patch as it could create an overdose of the medication. Same thing with avoiding long hot showers or baths while on the patch.

Anyone who has offered to help, take them up on it. Even if its just to drive your husband to his treatment one day a week, its a help. There are a million small things that can be done to make it easier for both of you. Dont be afraid to speak up and ask for help. Anyone who asks what they can do, they really want to help so if you need a hand, give them a job.

As a caregiver, you have a tough job. Make sure to take some time for yourself too. Even if its just going out to lunch with a friend so you can take your mind of everything thats going on. Im sure you feel like you are carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders. But now you are among friends, people who understand exactly where you are coming from. We are here to help you as well.

Best wishes with everything!


Christine
SCC 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 smile