Visited my Radiation Doc and my Oncologist today for follow-up visits. Both were relatively uneventful. Generally, I'm progressing as they expect me to. Both told me to be patient and let time heal all wounds, literally.
My mouth is still pretty sore, the Mucositis continues to be gross and a pain in the butt, I get choked once or twice a day, I'm still eating near exclusively with my feeding tube and I'm tired most of the time but getting more energy.
My Oncologist said that he actually thinks I'm ahead of the curve on my recovery. A bit better than "average". So, I guess that's good news but it doesn't help my lack of patience. I'm trying to taper my pain meds. Pain meds are the only thing standing between me and driving. So I'm trying to find a balance between getting off pain meds ASAP but avoiding too much discomfort in the process.
We were going to schedule my follow-up scans and a video swallow test today but the people who do the scheduling were out of the office today. So they'll coordinate that on Monday and call me with the schedule for those tests, my follow-up visit with Dr. Tsue to review the results and my follow-up with my Oncologist. These should all be happening the week of January 12 or, possibly, the week of January 19.
I did successfully eat a bowl of tomato soup the other day and a dollop of Mashed Potatoes on New Year's Eve. The tomato soup was made with water instead of my preferred milk and I didn't use any crackers like I would have like to, but it was a start. Took me quite a while to eat a mere bowl of soup and it wasn't my most satisfying meal I've ever had, but it was my first non-feeding tube food in two months.
Sophie's doing well. Quite likely the cutest baby I've ever seen (except for my own kids, of course) and, while we're only 11 days into her life, she really is the best behaved baby I've ever seen. Hardly cries and is easy to settle down if she does cry. She's sleeping well at night. Just a sweet little girl.
I know I sound like a broken record with the update on how I'm feeling. But things just aren't changing that quickly. Certainly not as quickly as I'd like. But, I guess several "updates" in a row with little to no change from the previous is still updating you on where I'm at.
Happy New Year to everyone. We're looking forward to a healthy 2009. Certainly a healthier 2009 than 2008.
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2 comments:
Good to hear about your progress, Cliff. My prayers are with you.
I suspect Sophie is a stronger influence in you recovery than anyone can imagine.
rog
Yo, Cliff,
I'm about 20 months out from my last radiation for stage IV tonsil cancer, so can sympathize with everything you're going through. I still use the tube--and glad to have it--but occasionally try to get something down by swallowing. It's not too satisfying, though, as I'm sure you know. But, as you say, it's eating.
Where did you get your treatment? I am in Anna Maria Island Florida (across Tampa Bay from St. Pete) and had my treatment in Bradenton, the city just north of Sarasota. We winter here, and live permanently in Stratham NH, right next to Portsmouth. Write me (esripvw@aol.com) if you have any questions. I'm sure I've been through most everything you are experiencing.
All the best.
Rip
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