Walt,

I was on the patch and as long as it is managed correctly it is no big deal. I had been on morphine sulfate for a bout a week before I put on the patch. I started a 25mcg patch and worked my way up (25mcg steps) to over a 100mcg then as I started to heal I worked my way down to 0. The biggest side effect (from pain meds)that gave me a real problem was constipation. You really have to take the laxatives and stool softeners, but it's tough to do when you can't swallow that well. I used a pill crusher and put them dow my PEG.

I ate pretty much the same as your wife plus I had lots of soft scrambled eggs.

You are a great care giver and are trusting the Great Physician no matter what. I couldn't have done this without my wife and the Lord either. I'll keep you in my prayers.