The best thing Barry and I found, in fact we told his RO nurse and she now tells all her patients, is over-the-counter Mucinex. This is a timed-release table that contains guafenesin and which causes the mucous to thin greatly and become easier to swallow or expel. One-two tablets last 12 hours so it really helped Barry sleep. The bad thing is that the tablet is BIG and cannot be cut or ground up because of the time-release coatings. Barry managed to swallow it with water but some folks have not been able to handle it. If this isn't an option, get the guafensin syrup ("Tussin") which is made by several companies. It is a rather thick syrup which can be diluted with water to make it easier to swallow and less apr to burn a raw throat -- just make sure that you take the recommended dose. It lasts about 4 hours.

Also, it is the plain Mucinex, not the type which contains an antihistamine, that will dry your mouth. (Also, same caveat for the syrup, make sure there is not antihistamine in it).

Really bad phlegm may require the use of a suction machine; some on this forum have had great help from one of these, and were able to rent from a medical supply facility.

Finally, salt and soda rinses to get the gunk out also help -- our dental onc said do them as often as you can.

Gail