| Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 8 | Welcome to OCF! You will find lots of info and support here on the forum. So sorry you are beginning to deal with the side effects of treatments.
A waterpik on low will help to break up the thick mucous. Some members have used a portable suction machine at home. you would need a prescription from your doc for that. Rinsing several times per day with a mixture of 16 oz warm water, 2 tsp sat and 2 tsp baking soda also can help.
You must be doing very well with nutrition (calories) and hydration to be feeling so good. Keep that up for at least the first year after finishing treatments to help you recover easier. Unfortunately things do get progressively worse as the treatments continue. It can be difficult to get thru this but you are off to a great start!
Hang in there and keep up the good work!
ChristineSCC 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  | 
