A nutritional assessment is in "Complications in Head and Neck Surgery", pages 42, basically based on Harris-Benedict formula for basal energy expenditure (BEE). Trying to find the hydration formula aspect, if it's in here, but it's 794 pages.

You can also check for dehydration by pulling the skin on the back of your hand and see how quickly it retracts. Some people may just have loose skin, so its not failsafe, as well as taking meds, vitamins that darken the urine, vitamin C, but both can give a quick assessment, in addition to other findings.

Even knowing this, I was dehydrated during treatment, needed several IV infusions. I wasn't talking in half I should have, even with the feeding tube. Guess there is a difference in reading and practicing it.

There are many hydrstion calculators on-line...search Daily Water Intake, that are based on weight or caloric intake. I just did one, and came out to 90 ounces. Of course, there are other factors..climate, activity....

One point to make about urine color (and believe me I drink a LOT daily) is that vitamins and supplements and medication you take can affect it. I take circumen and it turns my urine a lovely shade of deep gold! But yes under normal circumstances the specific gravity of your urine is often determined by color. Sorry for over sharing.

Cheryl

Ewww!. Grammatically, when you used the parenthetical, your post says you drink a lot of urine on a daily basis.
As one newbie posted : Personally I don't believe it.

Sorry but I just had to have some fun with the theme of misreading posts to come to nonsensical conclusions.

Charm

I noticed that too, Charm! We can always count on you to remove any confusion from anything posted here and to give us accurate information. . . . . otherwise, we might all be drinking it too. Thanks for always watching out for us. You are one cool Dude.

Now we are really gonna lose some people...lol. I remember that survivor guy that urinated on his head scarf to keep cool in the desert. Guess when you are hot, you will do anything to cool off.

Deb

I have to agree with Deb, and add that sometimes, you just gotta do what you gotta do, and whatever works, as long as it's ok with your doctor.

Actually, and maybe unfortionetly, drinking it is a very alternative cancer treatment that some do.

I use Glucerna 1.5 cal for diabetics...8oz, 356 calories, 19.6 grams protein, 31.5 carbs. I revived 8 cases from my treatment center, but I think was done through my insurance...Medicare, but thats ok. Some OTC Glucerna, boost and such are becoming to have less calories... less than 100, and deigned or advertised to reduce weight. Even the bottleis are shaped like a figure with a small waist. I have a jack LaLanne juicer, a vitamix, but it's easier for me to pop the lid too. Good luck with the biopsy.

Giggle... Let me rephrase that - I drink a lot of fluid daily... NOT urine... Promise.

You wicket, wicket people:-)

Well, I've been back home after my second round of chemo (the 5 FU reduced from 5 to 3 days)for about 5 days now. Starting to feel a little better. Tumor pain gone. Still dry mouth and down to 160 lbs. Did 3 days in a row of IVs after they released me.

Looks like I'm going to get a total of 4 rounds. So, the third round will likely be right after Christmas.

They likely won't do a scan until possibly after round 4 around February. Notice all the "likely"s!

I'm torn between wanting to ignore this whole thing (believing that chemo recovery is the end-all) and attempting to prepare myself for the unknown likely-hoods of Brachytheropy and/or surgery.

Radiation Doctor spoke with Brachytheropy Doctor who said he would look at my records 3 days ago.
Was supposed to hear back and getting anxious.
I really want to ignore all this and go sailing and drive my loudly modified RX-7 convertable. Mixed emotions of wanting to enjoy eating and preparing myself for not.

My two sons and my daughter will arrive on the 18th.