Delia & Charlie,
I only smoked for a few years and quit in the early 70's. I was exposed to a lot of second smoke for many years performing in bars and nightclubs. I am trying to gather up real stories to convince my step kids as to the risks of smoking.

I am 3+ years post Tx and doing very well. Back to normal schedule and eating anything I want. Very few side effect issues at this point. Due to advanced nature of my cancer I received the entire allowable lifetime radiation dose with the "boost".

If he is rinsing with "pink magic" make sure he doesn't swallow it (swish & spit). It can mask the gag reflex and that might result in aspiration which can lead to pneumonia, as well as more nausea.

I had pretty much the same experience. Timing is everything. Try to get the heavy mucous out of the throat before attempting to swallow anything. I used to take a morphine or 2 in addition to the "pink magic" (1/2 hour in advance of attempting to swallow). The pink magic lasts about 15 minutes or so.

I read somewhere that actually 2 Cisplatin treatments were actually optimal but I haven't been able to find that report again so take it for what is worth. I was sick so often I polished my teeth like glass from the stomach acid. I lived for quite a while on the bathroom floor.

Congratulations on both quitting. That is a very courageous act.