Happy New Year all! My daughter is now 2 weeks end of radiation & has hit a stumbling block. I understand the pain is at it's height right now & she's doing well with just Oxycodone. However, she has stopped swallowing, saying it's just too painful. She's even started spitting the mucous out again (she had been swallowing up till this point). We're grateful for the g-tube as it provides the avenue to get the required calories/fluid in, but the "convenience" of it makes it easier for her not to swallow. I've preached & nagged till I'm blue this past week and not having any success. Her response is 'if I have to have swallow therapy then that's what I'll do'. She's been really strong up till this point in dealing with the amaphostine challenge (had to stop after 10 due to SEVERE nausea/vomiting) & radiation burning. But I haven't been able to get through to her about the importance of swallowing. And yes, the rad onc & dental onc stressed the importance of swallowing too! Any suggestions?
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CG daughter (age 41) SCC lateral side tongue, surgery 10/16 + modified neck dissection, stage 3, 1 pos node, IMRT x30 finished 12/22
