Thanks for the great nutrition info! Im sure many will find it very helpful when they are struggling to take in enough calories.

Please talk to your physician about better managing your pain. Many have used the fentanyl patch to better take care of stabilizing your pain. The patch will provide pain relief for 72 hours then you simply take the old patch off and put a new one on (in a new spot). It takes up to 24 hours for the patch to begin working when you first start out. Just make sure to read and follow directions exactly. Never cut, fold, bend, tear, crumple or in any way break or rip the patch. Do not take long hot showers or baths while wearing the patch as it can cause it to release too much medication causing major problems even an overdoes. Sounds like it can be tricky but its actually much easier than taking dose after dose of liquid medicine or pills. When discussing the patch with your doc, make sure you have something for breakthru pain. Thats when you have short periods of more intense pain and you need additional pain meds to manage it so you can be comfortable.

Im concerned about you swallowing magic mouthwash (several names and variations of what you mentioned). It can be very dangerous swallowing the magic mouthwash instead of swishing it around and spitting it out. By swallowing, it will numb your throat and can cause you to not swallow properly causing aspiration pneumonia. Before trying any product, even over the counter products make sure you talk it over with your doctor. There are things that can interfere with your treatments. Even certain vitamins or something as simple as putting on lotion before a treatment can cause problems for you. This is why its so important to talk openly and in detail with your doc so you dont inadvertently throw things off. The warm water, salt and baking soda will help neutralize your mouth ph, it really does help with mouth sores. If the salt burns too much lessen the amount you add, just try your best to keep some salt in your mixture so you can get the most benefit from your concoction.

Hang in there and please check in often. We are here to help you get thru this. Best wishes with everything!

Christine
SCC 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 smile