OP  Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,606 Likes: 2 | Jamie,
I used 1 packet with 16 oz of water. I put an old wash cloth in the Domeboro solution and after wringing it out, I just laid it gently on the area for 10 minutes. The next morning it was unbelievably better.
Check with your oncology nurse for a home healthcare agency they work with and start there. Give them your insurance info and see what they can do. Even the place that we started with that didn't take our insurance only charged us what our insurance paid. That was a big relief.
For the thick mucous, I used Tussin or Robitussin liquid. Anything with Guiafenesin will work. Beware of the liquid if your mother does not have a PEG tube. It will burn beyond belief. My (straight) hair is still curly. They tell me it is from the chemo or radiation but I really believe it was the Robitussin down the throat! There are also pill forms called Humibid but they are pretty large pills and I couldn't swallow them until recently. I rinsed with water and either used kleenex or spat them in the waste basket (when no one was looking, of course). I also used a humidifier when sleeping to help my dry mouth and thick mucous.
Ed
SCC Stage IV, BOT, T2N2bM0
Cisplatin/5FU x 3, 40 days radiation
Diagnosis 07/21/03 tx completed 10/08/03
Post Radiation Lower Motor Neuron Syndrome 3/08.
Cervical Spinal Stenosis 01/11
Cervical Myelitis 09/12
Thoracic Paraplegia 10/12
Dysautonomia 11/12
Hospice care 09/12-01/13.
COPD 01/14
Intermittent CHF 6/15
Feeding tube NPO 03/16
VFI 12/2016
ORN 12/2017
Cardiac Event 06/2018
Bilateral VFI 01/2021
Thoracotomy Bilobectomy 01/2022
Bilateral VFI 05/2022
Total Laryngectomy 01/2023
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