Inadequate pain management -- how often do we hear about that on this forum? It is a real crisis in cancer care, per the pain-management specialist physicians. It appears some doctors are more concerned with possible legal complications than their patient's welfare.

Run, do not walk, back to your doctors and demand that you get appropriate pain medication which, as Gary notes, should be *either* oxycodone or (better for many) Duragesic patches. You must be your advocate in this, it appears.

And stick to soft foods (nothing hard, crunchy, spicy or very hot or cold) until the sores heal. Swishing with salt/soda rinse and Biotene mouthwash will help. Drink Boost or Ensure if you cannot handle solids at this point, also pureed cream soups, soft scrambled eggs, cream of wheat cereal etc.

Gail