Welcome to OCF, John! Im very sorry you have the need for our group! We will help you get your father thru this so you are definitely in the right place.
It is in the patients best interest to get treated where the medical team sees hundreds of cases per year instead of somewhere that has treated only a handful of patients. It has been scientifically proven patients treated at Comprehensive Cancer Centers (CCCs) have the best outcomes. Using a team based approach so all the specialists work together has many advantages. I always recommend patients to get the very best medical team they can weather its 10 miles from home or across the country. If your father is able to travel for treatment I think it would be worthwhile to at least check them out.
List of CCCs There will be so many things to do before your father begins any treatments. Make sure he gets a full blood workup done including thyroid levels, men also get testosterone levels. He may have problems years down the road with his thyroid. A blood test now ensures he will know what his normal baseline thyroid levels should be. Taking a pill a day to manage his thyroid isnt a big deal, but getting the baseline level is!
To prepare, if he hasnt seen his dentist try to make an appointment right away before any treatment would begin. Anyone who undergoes radiation for head and neck cancer should wear fluoride trays on their teeth. This can help prevent major dental issues after rads. Also using a waterpik, having impeccable daily dental maintenance and getting regular (if not more frequent) dental cleanings.
Regardless which treatment plan or facility is selected your father will want to start paying attention to his intake now. Eat all his favorites now, desserts too. If he is slim or average build putting on a few extra pounds is a good idea. Almost all OC patients lose weight (some significant amounts which isnt good) during their treatments. When a person has cancer they burn up calories at an increased rate. Your fathers ability to eat normally may be compromised for a couple weeks if having surgery, with rads its usually more like a few months. OC treatments have some lousy side effects, this is why I stress to eat now. One of the best things I can tell you is focus on what is within your control... your fathers intake! One of the hardest things if doing radiation is to keep the daily intake high enough. If you can start right away getting your father used to taking in at least 2500 calories and 48-64 oz of water daily then it shouldnt be as hard to keep this up during and after treatments. Intake really is a major problem for OC patients and I cant stress enough how critical it is to begin focusing on it right away.
As far as supplements go... ask the doc. Many supplements should not be taken while undergoing cancer treatments as they can interfere with the treatment. Our site promotes only things that are scientifically proven. All too often cancer patients and caregivers out of desperation become targets for "alternative" treatments and products. At OCF we take our members lives very seriously and discourage unproven treatments, medicines, etc from being a part of our forum.
People often want to help but they dont know what they can do. Anyone friends or relatives who offer their assistance, tell them when the time comes you will let them know what they can do to help your father. Make sure to write everyones name down for later in case someone else has to give people a call or text them to get them to help. Theres a million little things that can quickly add up to becoming overwhelming to patients and their families. Take all the help you can so this is easiest on everyone involved.
Read thru posts and also on the main OCF pages to educate yourself about your fathers illness. An informed patient and caregiver make better advocates for themselves. Stick with us and feel free to post and ask questions. We are here to help
Best wishes with everything!!!
PS... Im send you a Pm with a link. It will help you quickly learn how to navigate our site and to add a signature. Click on the tiny flashing envelope near the the My Stuff tab.
