Another Good Report

Had my 2-month follow-up with Dr. Tsue today. It was really just a 4-week follow-up since I was in to see his P.A. about 4 weeks ago about my tongue, but we'll go ahead with the 2-month label. Clearly, it's critical that we label it correctly, right?

In any case, he did his normal poking, prodding and sticking stuff down my throat. Afterward he said everything looks good and I'll see you in a couple of months.

Rather uneventful but that's a good thing in my situation.

Dr. Tsue lined me up with a therapist to help with swelling in my neck. A condition called Lymphedema (or Lymphoedema or Lymphodema depending on your source). I'm not sure the treatments will be covered by insurance, though, so we're going to have to wait to get that figured out first. This treatment might get classified as Physical Therapy by the insurance and I've already used up most of my annual allotment of P.T. sessions on my shoulder.

Overall I feel great now. Energy level continues to improve, sleeping is getting better and people keep telling me I look healthier. My throat area is my only area that doesn't feel semi-normal now. Of course, my throat area effects my taste, my swallowing, my voice, mouth pain, lack of saliva, etc. so it's still kinda a pain in the toosh, but I'm generally a lot better off than I was before.

I asked Dr. Tsue about the mouth/throat symptoms. He said they'll continue to improve for another 6-months or so but progress will slow and he doesn't expect any of it to return to pre-treatment normal. So, at some point we'll just have to assume where ever I'm at will be my new normal from there forward. But until then I'll keep hoping for marked improvement.

I've been going to the gym pretty regularly and I'm really feeling pretty good if I could get rid of my mouth and throat. I haven't gained any weight back yet but I expect that's because eating is such a pain I just don't eat all that much. I try, though. Is dessert a food group? I'm pretty good with that.

Whew!

Just when I thought it was safe to go back in the water . . . or the doctor's office . . . we got a LITTLE scare this past week.

The back-left part of my tongue has been way sore for over a month now. Dr. Tsue said that it was related to the dead bone in my jaw and that it would go away after I recuperated from my surgery a few weeks ago. That didn't happen. My jaw, my teeth, everything else is feeling fine, but not my tongue.

So last Wednesday I went in to see Dr. Tsue's P.A. She said the sore on my tongue was bigger than it was at the time of surgery. She didn't expect anything to come of it but wanted to do a biopsy to make sure. That biopsy word just scares the crap out of me these days.

In any case, she cut a couple of pieces of tissue out (which was a joy all by itself) and sent them off to the lab for a biopsy.

As I told Jenny, I've not been too worried about this. After all, she said she didn't expect anything. But I'll tell you, when you actually get on the phone with her to get the results, your heart rate goes way up regardless how cool you are. And you all know how cool I am, right? The next few seconds could bring good news or they could bring devastating news.

Well, to cut to the chase, the results were negative. Still no Cancer. She said she's not 100% sure what's going on but I'm supposed to continue with my 4-times-a-day rinse and I already have a follow-up appointment with Dr. Tsue in late May so he'll assess progress at that point.

So, I can relax again.

Well, sorta.