1. EAT!!!! Eat like crazy now. Eat anything and everything you want. During treatment your mouth and throat will get sore and things lose their taste. It will be weeks possibly several months before you can eat normally again, so eat now.

2. Drink tons of water. Radiation will make even water taste different. But drink anyway to avoid dehydration and hospital stays. By drinking water you will retain your swallowing function and make it easier on yourself down the road.

3. Take your medications for pain and anti-nasuea. The pain patch is the easiest and works the best for controlling pain. Ask for Magic mouthwash too, it will help when the mouth gets sore. Take the anti-nasuea meds even if you arent naseous. Nasuea needs to be controlled before it starts not after when you cant keep meds down. Ask about depression medications too. Dont be ashamed this is something most oral cancer patients will need, so ask now.

4. Listen to everything your doctors say and do it. It will make this journey so much easier for you. Be honest with your doctors about how you feel. Dont be afraid to ask questions, remember they work for you!

5. Make a daily goal for yourself even if its as simple as walking to the mailbox or taking a shower everyday. It helps to give you a purpose daily and makes you feel a little more in control of yourself. If you are too tired for your daily goal, try the next day, just never give up.

6. Rest when you need it. Somedays will be tough to get up and do anything, but at least try. Dont feel guilty if you sleep most of the day at the end of treatments and the first 3 weeks after. This is normally a the hardest time for most people.