Hi Everyone,
My Mom is a cancer survivor, 1 yr. ago she had a portion of her tongue and all lymph nodes one side removed. Thank God, the lymph nodes were clear and she is free of cancer for 1 year now. I have just returned from bringing her home from the hospital for treatment of pneumonia for the 3rd time this year, 2nd time in a month. This time I think we have hit on the problem. She is having a difficult time with swallowing, mostly liquids. Tests performed in hospital today comfirmed this and she must be aspirating liquid into her lungs and it then results in pneumonia and pleursy. She is 85 yrs. old. They have put her on a soft diet which requires all liquids to be thickened. She no longer can drink water nor her favorite, diet soda. I purchased a product "Thick It" from the pharmacy but it doesn't seem to thicken the liquids enough. Can anyone that has had this problem recommend a product that will do the trick. I understand there are several out there, but I would like someone's opinion of the best. I will appreciate any help anyone can give me. She will also be going for therapy. She had no therapy after the cancer surgery as her speech was not impaired. We did not give any thought to her having a swallowing problem, but the bouts with pneumonia have brought this to light.
Thanks,
Margie