Phlegm/Stomach

Options
Oh how I'd love to return the day when Phlegm made me recall the Monty Python routine in which there was a contest to come up with an insensitive name for the Belgians--the Phlegms (probably more properly the Flems) and the Sprouts took second and third place. Hell, where is that Way Back machine when you need it?

So here's my story. My boyfriend is heading down the stretch with 2 cisplatin treatments and 26 radiation treatments under his belt and a finish date of June 28. No PEG and through last Thursday he was eating--plain pizza and french fries, for example--though it all tasted like trash. Pain is manageable. The problem is with mucus, the icky taste in his mouth, and his perception that the mucus is sliding down his throat into his stomach and thus spreading the ickiness and making him feel full and thus disinclined to eat.

Has anyone experienced this and come up with a trick to fake it all out on either end? We just used Magic Mouthwash to anesthesize what's left of his taste buds and he downed an instant breakfast. Major victory.

Let me also express my gratitude to you out-of-treatment guys who stay with this board and give perspective and hope to so many. When things get a little bleak around here I have been known to quote Hondo and Skiffin AKA that guy with a fish. Some boy scouts get little old ladies across the street, others post to this board. Many thanks to all.

Regards,

Nancy

Comments

  • Greend
    Greend Member Posts: 678
    Options
    Sounds good
    Sounds like he is doing great so far. I found if I take a mouthful of water and peroxide mix (you can buy it as pre brush rinse at the stores)garggle a bit to get it a little ways down the back of my throat and then spit the whole mess out it seems to help.

    Good luck.

    Denny
  • sweetblood22
    sweetblood22 Member Posts: 3,228
    Options
    Greend said:

    Sounds good
    Sounds like he is doing great so far. I found if I take a mouthful of water and peroxide mix (you can buy it as pre brush rinse at the stores)garggle a bit to get it a little ways down the back of my throat and then spit the whole mess out it seems to help.

    Good luck.

    Denny

    That guy with the fish. hee
    That guy with the fish. hee hee hee

    I find that so funny.

    Some things to try besides the peroxide, are the baking soda, salt and water mix. Mucinex. A suction machine. And, unfortanately, time. :(

    Glad that you found us, but sorry that you have the need. wishing you guys well.

    Blessings,

    sweet
  • Hondo
    Hondo Member Posts: 6,636 Member
    Options
    Hi Nancy


    Anytime you need a quote go for it and I am sure John will get a good laugh about the fish man thing. Just glad to hear that your boyfriend is doing so well with his treatment, sweet offered some very good advice to try. She also has a supperpost that may be of interest to both of you.

    PS: Welcome to the family

    Wishing you both the best
    Hondo
  • BeacherBum
    BeacherBum Member Posts: 32
    Options
    Hondo said:

    Hi Nancy


    Anytime you need a quote go for it and I am sure John will get a good laugh about the fish man thing. Just glad to hear that your boyfriend is doing so well with his treatment, sweet offered some very good advice to try. She also has a supperpost that may be of interest to both of you.

    PS: Welcome to the family

    Wishing you both the best
    Hondo

    Gargle
    Try gargling with this mix.

    4 cups of water
    1 teaspoon of salt
    1 teaspoon of baking soda

    It thins out mucas
  • Pam M
    Pam M Member Posts: 2,196
    Options

    Gargle
    Try gargling with this mix.

    4 cups of water
    1 teaspoon of salt
    1 teaspoon of baking soda

    It thins out mucas

    Nice Pic!
    My son gave me a copy - love it, BeacherBum
  • Pam M
    Pam M Member Posts: 2,196
    Options
    so far so good
    glad to hear he can still eat. You could also try sinus rinses (like netti pot) as well as drinking club soda or ginger ale (heard it breaks up phlegm, but carbonation burned, so I didn't do it).
  • Lelia
    Lelia Member Posts: 98
    Options
    Awesome first post!
    Without realizing it, I laugh very little these days. You got my day off to a fun start, thanks Nancy!

    Like when the cancer hospital people talked about 'The PEG,' obtaining a suction machine for home sounded strange and mysterious. It wasn't until my husband landed in the hospital with malnutrition and pneumonia during his last 1/3 of treatment that I realized WTH they were talking about.

    Our portable suction gizmo is a little backpack that resembles a thermal lunchbox, insurance paid for it and it has helped a LOT. If you want more details just let me know, sounds like it's a needed addition to your recovery arsenal.