Hi Jim,
Me again. I was just reading your post again, wanted to ask you, did they speak to you about a mouth guard? My mom had to wear one while she was in isolation for the three days, her RO didn't want to hit her jawbone...she was so out of it and alone a lot of the time, when they came in they found it all over the place but in her mouth! She was frightened at the prospect at being left alone for so long, but as it turned out she had different nurses and her RO were in quite a bit to see to her needs. Also family was allowed in for a little bit at a time.
They also told mom that her taste and saliva might be compromised but they really were not affected.
My mom's chin healed up rather quickly where the cath's were placed. She had the temp trach in for a month and the ngtube was fractured, if you can taste/feel the liquid it might be damaged. Mom could feel it all along, we weren't smart enuogh to tell anyone at the hospital.
Jim, who will be helping you after? After all those treatments and procedures I assume you are going to be exhausted. You might want to make sure that you have help.