Happy New Year everyone,
This is Larry's wife Cherry.
I am writing because Larry is not able to, and he has been on antibiotics of one sort or another since 11/4/14. He has a lot of phlegm which changes color, from a choice brown to a greenish yellow. He had a radiation treatment yesterday and saw the Dr. he explained he had an infection. He was given a 5 day Zpack on Tues.
Yesterday the Dr prescribed the Mouthwash with Lidocaine, benedryl and Maalox. But Larry complained it burned too badly, he tried it one time.
He doesn't sleep well at night. Often up and down coughing and spitting up phlegm. He had a deep rattle.
Also 1 night after chemo this week he had a sleep walking episode where he was hallucinating. I had a difficult time keeping him calm and inside the house. He also hates his Joey pump and wants me to disconnect him. He doesn't like dragging it around.
He's having a difficult time and I love him so much, it breaks my heart. He's 70 and I'm 62. The Dr says I am staying on top of things. I couldn't if it wasn't for the Carezone app. I don't know how others can keep track of everything without it.
I pray for everyone here and I truly appreciate the encouragement Larry and I receive here.
Here�s wishing you all a joyous New Year so that you can smile always forgetting the fears, be joyous always forgetting the tears, and hold on to the happiness discarding the pains.
Your friends,
Cherry and Larry

Hi Cherry

Sorry to hear Larry is having some problems . I care for my mother and I truly understand how it's heartbreaking to see them in so much
pain. After Chemo treatments My mother had and still has the thick mucus. My mother complains of how it burns the inside of her mouth.

We haven't found anything yet to stop it. Tell Larry to try rinsing as much as he can . That's about the only thing that helps . It may burn a little at first but it should numb it some afterwards.

The doctor did tell me to make sure my mother did get as much calories as possible . He said the mucus would get worse on an empty stomach .

Hope Larry feels better soon
Heidi

If you dont already have a waterpik, get one. It helps tremendously on getting that thick gunky mucous our of the mouth. Also ask the nurses to use the portable suction machine every day when he goes for treatment. The doctor can write a prescription for one so you can use it at home. The mucous will get worse for the first few weeks after treatments end so it probably would be a good idea to get one now.

There are other ways of doing feedings besides the pump. Please let me know if you need me to explain them in further detail.

Try to encourage him to use the lidocaine, benedryl, and malox mixture. Its called magic mouthwash (MM). The bottle must be shaken well before each use. If he can tough it out and rinse the MM around in his mouth for about 30 seconds then spit it out, it will numb his mouth and give him relief.

Best wishes!

Definitely do the mouthwash as much as he can - and I am best friends with my waterpik, lowest setting luke warm water (or saline mixture will help amazingly well. Plus it freshens. I used to sleep on my side with a towel under my mouth that way i could drool away. I also had a lovely spit cup. just for a while. hugs.