I don't understand the correlation between the mucous and what is going on with your mom's nose. But, I too, am a HUGE advocate for the portable suction machine. I would also recommend something to thin the mucous, like Robutussin with Guaffasin (sp?). Without these two things, my husband was not able to swallow any liquid nutrition.

Wishing you and your mom the best.

Margaret
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C/G: Husband, 48 (at time of dx)
Dx 5/18/07 SCC, BOT, lymph node involvement. T1N2BM0. (Stage 4a, G2/3)
Tx 6/18 - 8/3/07, IMRT x 33 Cisplatin x3 (stopped after 1st dose due to hearing issues). Weekly Erbitux started 6/27/07 completed 8/6/07.