Hi Shane.

Welcome to OCF. You will find lots of support and answers to your questions here. Has your doctor said anything about your weight? Do you see a dietitian? My doc and dietitian both had a fit when I dropped 15 pounds in one week when I was starting radiation.

As several people here mentioned, a PEG tube is a very wise decision. If you are starting to struggle already, then it will become a necessity very quickly. Talk to your doc asap about it.

Without proper nutrition and hydration you will end up being hospitalized. Ive been there twice for malnutrition and dehydration and that was with a peg tube. Without it I would have probably been admitted for the whole duration of treatment. Make sure you are getting a minimum of 48 oz of water daily.

I wish you the best of luck with your treatments. Please keep posting as questions arise. You have found a great place that will support you thru this journey.


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