Have your dad rinse his mouth out several times per day with the baking soda mixture. All he needs to do is take a sip and swish it around in his mouth for about 20 seconds then spit it out. This helps break up the mucous. Some people use plain seltzer water the same way and that works for them. I never tried the seltzer water. He can also take some over the counter meds like musinex to help break up the mucous.

If he is able to do applesauce, ask the docs about smooth yogurt, chocolate milk, milkshakes, and puddings. If he has that much difficulty in eating, then always clear everything thru the doc before you give it to him.


Christine
SCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44
2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07
-65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr
Clear PET 1/08
4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I
surg 4/16/08 clr marg
215 HBO dives
3/09 teeth out, trismus
7/2/09 recur, Stg IV
8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy
3wks medicly inducd coma
2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit
PICC line IV antibx 8 mo
10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg
OC 3x in 3 years
very happy to be alive smile