Joyce,

Has Tom been to a swallowing/speech therapist? He's just about at the point in time when patients completying treatment are referred for a swallowing evaluation (fluoroscopic test) and then the therapists can suggest exercises to improve swallowng function. They can also ID strictures and ulcers, or other areas that could be causing pain.

If he isn't scheduled yet, ask your doctor about getting one. This is not limited to a major CCC, both of our relatively small local hospitals have swallowing/speech therapists and can give the test.

The exercises really help, even though my husband ate all the way through he was still aspirating thick liquids and had generalized muscle weakness and damage. His swallowing is virtually normal now and has been for some time, but he still does the exercises at least once a day as we were warned that problems can develop later as scarring or fibrosis can occur months post-radiation.

Gail