Hi Jan, I can totally sympathize with you and Jim. I went throught basically the same ordeal six months ago. You have to find nutrition that is compatible in order to keep the weight on, I lost 34 pounds during radiation and 9 pounds prior to radiation because of tooth extractions. Gravity feeding is definitly the best, which is what I did and have been doing, I found that doing one can 5 or 6 times a day works out better for me, I also try to take and equal amount of water or gatorade at the same time.
The medications will cause all sort of BM problems, senecote worked for me after taking it as directed for a couple of weeks I tapered of until my body started acting naturally again and it will. I had one of the worst attacks of constipation that anyone could imagine immediately after starting tube feeding I can almost understand what women going through labor and cramping feel like. At least as I explained it to my wife she related that you girls go through something similar on a monthly basis, god bless you, it was hell.
As for the thickening saliva, soda water will thin it some but you pretty much have to work through it, I carry a spit bucket with me everywhere I go with either napkins, which I prefer, or paper towels. Immediately following radiation will be the worst, but it will get better also.
I hope this has helped, keep in touch with this site there is alot of good information that you would have to pry out of Dr.s and Nurses.
You are both in our prayers, be strong you can be cured.
Bill
stage III SCC base of tongue and left lymph node
diagnosed 9/10/2002
84radiation treatments
6 chemo treatments
radical neck disection
survivor, and proud to be one