thank you both.. eileen yes he is on the Diflucan.. he did develop thrush a few times during the treatments back in 2010, and it was painful and was accompanied by the odor.. this is the first time for the thrush since the big surgery back in December 07 and other than this, i think he is doing remarkably well! he was on the antibiotics twice in the last month and the ENt said that this was probably the cause.. thank you again..