Amy, make sure John gets enough water. If he cannot swallow three or four glasses a day, use the PEG for that (and make sure it is not COLD water which hurts). Dehydration is a risk and a problem you do NOT want. Most people can use Biotene, but even that hurt my mouth. I was very glad to have a PEG. It will also help if he is rinsing with the salt-baking soda-water mouthwash. While this is an increasingly uncomfortable ordeal, it does have an end point, so keep marking the days off and soon it will be done.