hi my mother was diagnosed with tongue cancer in 2001 and underwent radiation at the time. Then in 2004 and 2005 she had reconstructive surgery on 2 reoccurances. She got a peg tube in December but has not had to use it until now. She has spent the last 13 days in the hospital with puenmonia and continues to decline. Drs are indicating that she needs to stop all fluids by mouth but all she does is clean her mouth with water, no other liquids since they are feeding via the peg tube. I am at a loss as far as what's next. it seems like a catch 22, stop caring for secretion in mouth or continue the decline with aspiration pneumonia. Any advice would be helpful. It could be the secretion causing the aspiration.