Nate,

The pain meds will make all the difference..just make sure you follow the directions on the patch...handling, time, etc. Did he give you anything for breakthru pain? Sometimes you have pain that literally breaks thru that long term patch med so you need a short term fix.

You will make it thru with all of us here to help you. It won't be any walk in the park but you will do it.

Re the thick saliva..some here have gotten lots of help with club soda to cut thru the mucus. The salt/baking soda helps for sure but you might try club soda to augment.

Hang in there...it's not easy,

Deb


Deb..caregiver to husband, age 63 at diagnosis, former smoker who quit in 1997.
DIAGNOSIS: 6/26/07 SCC right tonsil/BOT T4N0M0
TREATMENT START: 8/9/07 cisplatin/taxol X 7..IMRT twice daily X 31.5.
TREATMENT END: 10/1/07
PEG OUT: 1/08
PORT OUT: 4/09
FOLLOWUP: Now only annual exams. ALL CLEAR!

Passed away 1/7/17 RIP Bill