Good for you in reminding the medical folk that your mom needs attention NOW TODAY, not later. My experience is that the condition can shift radically, between one hour and the next... and certainly between each day.

I am experiencing mouth-throat soreness, and my doctor prescribed a morphine mouthwash concoction. While the amount of morphine I get in each dose is only 1cc, I'm wondering if a similar but more potent dose would help your mom. Morphine is such a wonderful pain reliever. Sounds like they need to step up her pain relief choices, and she is lucky to have you to help advocate for that. Cutting the pain will allow her to better cope with all her other symptoms.

The cowbell is a good idea smile
I have a crystal dinner bell that I threatened to haul out and start ringing to get people's attention.

Keep breathing deeply. Good luck!

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma, epithelioma-like carcinoma. (T2ANOMO IIa). Completed 35 rad treatments June 19, 2007.
"When god closes one door he opens another; but sometimes it's hell in the hallway."