Yes, he must keep using his throat muscles or he will lost his ability to swallow maybe forever. Water is good. He also must keep opening is mouth as wide as he can, yawning helps, or he will get trismus.

What are you using to pull the phlegm out of his trach tube? Does he have a portable suction machine? A long handled QTIP may help as you can wind the mucous around it and pull it out as a string. Sorry he is having so much trouble and hope he is feeling better.

Take care,
Eileen

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Aug 1997 unknown primary, Stage III
mets to 1 lymph node in neck; rt ND, 36 XRT rad
Aug 2001 tiny tumor on larynx, Stage I total laryngectomy; left ND
June 5, 2010 dx early stage breast cancer
June 9, 2011 SCC 1.5 cm hypo pharynx, 70% P-16 positive, no mets, Stage I