CloudMax:
I'm so sorry to hear. Push for him to be put on an antiviral... such as famvir or zovirax for the mucositis. I think I told you, I was so bad, they put me on an antiviral, gave me oral morphine drops along with the Lidocaine mouthwash, and reduced my 5FU chemo agent the next time around. Some people are so much more succeptible to certain side effects, and I can tell you, he's in agony. I don't know how long it's been, but IV feeding is fine... if they are talking about a nasogastric tube for feeding... forget it. As long as he is being hydrated thru IV, The mucositis will resolve, especially when you push for that antiviral and perhaps some oral morphine to get it right to the point where it's needed.

Please don't hesitate to ask any additional questions, but that is what I would advocate for ASAP. Sometimes you have to stand up for yourself. They don't run the show, you are a team working toward the betterment of his care. Remember that, and best of luck.
--CancerDad

hey, good advice again! thanks..i am sorry you had to go thru that..i know he is in a lot of pain.. there's frustration involved too as he can't talk well and is hard to understand.. i will ask about the famvir or zovirax tomorrow.. i know they are giving him a lot of iv's... esp antibiotics and so far 1 unit of blood a day.. i was glad to see him more alert and actually got him to drink a half a can of Boost.. think he thought the iv's were all he needed but the doc said he needs NUTRITION! he hasn't really been eating well because of all the gastric problems.. it's been about 8 months since someone decided he had IBS...2 of these docs said not...that his problem was the blockage... he would go thru cycles, diahrea or constipation or massive gas.. hasn't been able to eat much the last 2 months until he discovered Boost.. before that a typical day was a banana breakfast, grits for lunch and oatmeal for supper.. oh joy! huh? will be hoping for him to get into a room tomorrow :) thanks so much, i appreciate all you guys being out there so i can either vent or get advice.. will keep all of you in my good thougths.. take care...