Thanks for your replies, but this became a non-issue. Mother died on Feb. 12. Several days earlier her body started rejecting the PEG feedings so regular feedings were not given. The pain seemed to get under control at that time also.

I would like to recommend a book: Sunsets, Reflections on Life's Final Journey by Deborah Howard, who is a Hospice nurse. I wish I'd found this book a few weeks earlier. It answers many of the questions related to end-of-life issues. You can get the book from Amazon.

CG to mom (non smoker) during treatment. Dx 7/07 SCC side and base of tongue, Stage 3/4, T4, N1. Refused surgery. Completed tx (41 rads, 8 chemo) 10/07. PET on 1/9/08 showed active cancer. Fought bravely until the end -- 2/12/08.