Katrina
Trismus is a challenge, more so the second time around for me. First even now my Trismus is mild compared to what many posters here suffer. So have you measured yours or has the dentist or speech therapist? Important to get a baseline so you can track progress
My first Trismus started in October thru December of 2007 after all the radiation and chemotherapy. It wasn't too bad at first, but suddenly came back harder in January 2008 and I had to do the exercise religously that entire year or I could see and feel my mouth closing. Now after the cancer came back and surgery in March 2009, the Trismus is much worse -down to 21 mm (just shy of two fingers. Luckily for me, my nearest local hospital has a cancer center (not a CCC though) that donated Therabite Jaw stretching devices to it's speech therapy department. I have been using that and in my mind there is no comparison to the old Popsicle sticks and tongue depressers I had been using. The Therabite is almost fun, with it's high tech look and overall "tool" vibe - perfect for guys . Their web site says Medicaid covers some of the cost as do many insurance companies. Check it out.
On a great day, the Therabite has stretched me out o a full 26mm. Progress is slow and a gain of 1 mm a week is considered very good,
Last but not least, if you have not read this, then click on the link and read the OCF home page info on Trismus - best on the web TRISMUS -OCF
best wishes and good luck We are all in this together