Cathy,

I've hit about the same spot as you (radiation started two Tuesdays ago). I met with a nutritionist this AM, and would highly recommend it. The following is based on my discussion with her, but everyone is different so you should discuss with someone!!

Since it's starting to hurt to swallow and subsequently brush my teeth, I needed high cal foods in the least amount of servings. She gave me me intake marching orders (1800 calories and 80+g protein for 5'6" weighing 125) with recipes that are easier to get down. I can get away with 2 frappes a day, but I had to order things like:

Benecalorie: 1.5 oz additive has 330 cal + 7g protein, and doesn't affect taste of anything (surprisingly)

Benefiber: 1 Tablespoon has 3g dietary fiber

Spiru-tein: adds protein and supposed to taste really good

The higher protein and calories are important to help your recover faster. If your body doesn't receive enough protein, it'll start taking it from your muscles and degrading them.

She also mentioned that milk and dairy products actually coat the throat/mouth and make that thick saliva feeling worse. She suggested Silk Soy milk as a replacement in the shakes. It'll give you the nutrition and calories you need, and may help with the thick saliva. Of all the soy milks, which I'm not a big fan of, this one does taste the best. Plus in a frappe - it's not going to impact the taste significantly.

I think I read somewhere on the great website that people took Robatussen (SP?) or other types of cough syrup to alleviate that problem.

Obviously discuss anything with someone from your medical team before doing it!!

Good luck!

Sabrina