My husband is thankfully being discharged from hospital tomorrow following surgery. He had a large portion of his top lip removed together with his hard palate and upper maxilla. He is currently unable to swallow and is constantly leaking saliva. It sounds silly but I am worried about how to manage this at home. In hospital there are pillows with rubber covers and vinyl floors, but what happens when there is saliva all over the carpet and bed linen. Not life threatening I know but any practial ideas would be really appreciated.

Katie

Katie
Ask the district nurse at your GP's surgery, see if she can do an assessment for free hire equipment from the red cross. Try the Argos catalogue, see if there are any waterproof pillow covers.
I thinking on the run here, will have a better think and post in the morning.
Sunshine.. love and hugs
Helen

Katie,

A different situation, but when I had non-stop mucous production going on, I covered my pillows with heavy terrycloth towels, which I could easily wash. That seemd to contain it.

I have often seen zippered, plastic pillow protectors in the bedding departments of stores. I think they are rather common for use with people allergic to pillow stuffing.

I am sure you will receive more suggestions.

Thanks both

I have found some waterproof pillow protectors on the internet and will see the district nurse tomorrow.

Katie

Katie,

I have been told by patients that they were told to try and keep their head elevated when they slept to decrease some of the drainage. I know this can be hard to do. One suggestion I thought that was quite interesting was putting phone books or pieces of 2x4 wood under the legs at the head of the bed.

As for covering the pillows and top of the bed to protect the mattress: you can always wrap the pillows in garbage bags and put your old pillowcases over them, for the mattress you can buy a roll of 4 mm poly vapour barrier from any hardware store and put this under your fitted sheet or purchase a plastic mattress protector to put under your fitted sheet and use your oldest sheets or buy some cheap ones that you can dispose of when they are no longer needed.

I hope this helps a little.

Cheers,

Mike