From August 21 (Friday) - August 25 (Tuesday) mom had fever 38.5C, which later developed sore throat to the severity that she couldn't eat or drink. She asked about getting IV drip after having glucose drink once. By Aug 26th when I found a doctor with home visit service, she felt a bit better and no longer want doctor's home visit. Dad bought her Dentepro Spray which helped sooth her throat slightly. Not sure what caused the fever, could be infection. The air at the time was also very hazy.

She recovered a week later. But the discomfort from side effects of Gefitinib scares her. She dreads having to take Gefitinib but she skips Friday-Sunday in order to keep some appetite for the ability to eat foods.

Today September 28th, 2026, she feels 2, 3 oral ulcers coming. My research and (Gemini) response below.

Here's a routine to try to prevent mouth ulcers:

Cancer care centers (like St. Jude and Mayo Clinic) widely recommend mixing this fresh daily.

Recipe:
1 cup (8 oz) warm water
½ teaspoon table salt
½ teaspoon baking soda (sodium bicarbonate)

How to use: Swish 1 (or a few) tablespoon around the mouth for 30 seconds and spit out. Repeat 3 to 4 times a day (after meals and at bedtime).

And, whenever you feel your mouth a bit dry, you can use the Biotene Oral Rinse (that I gave you) to rinse at night before you go to bed.

Explanations:

For a cancer patient taking Gefitinib, combining a DIY salt/baking soda rinse and Biotène Dry Mouth Rinse addresses two distinct, critical causes of targeted-therapy mouth ulcers (stomatitis):

• DIY Salt & Baking Soda Rinse (Cleanses & Reduces Inflammation):
  Gefitinib impairs the mouth lining’s ability to heal, making tissues raw and vulnerable. The baking soda neutralizes mouth acids, while the gentle saline cleanses delicate tissue, speeds up natural healing, and prevents bacterial buildup without stinging sensitive spots.
• Biotène Dry Mouth Rinse (Moisturizes & Shields Against Friction):
  Gefitinib reduces quality saliva production. Without enough saliva, friction from tongue movement, talking, and sleeping tears the fragile oral lining and forms new ulcers. Biotène coats tissues with long-lasting moisture to eliminate friction, especially overnight.

• Use the DIY rinse after meals to clean away food debris, neutralize acid, and soothe raw tissue.
• Use Biotène at bedtime to lubricate the mouth and shield tissues from friction while sleeping.

October 2nd 2026: CEA went up to 31.4 from 8.5. Enhanced CT scan this week.