Treatments Continue plus Work Changes

I've now had four Lymphedema treatments with some results. The Therapist is confident I'll see much broader results than I was expecting so I hope she knows what she's talking about. She expects reduced swelling on the outside but also improvements internally that should HELP with swallowing, discomfort, voice quality and pain reduction.

Visually the swelling you can see in my neck has decreased some and my adam's apple is a bit more visible. Tongue pain has decreased pretty dramatically in these two weeks. Unsure how much of that to attribute to the treatments but I'll take it. But, I'm two weekds in to eight weeks of treatment and I'm happy with the early results. Hopefully those will continue.

Had some cost-reduction type changes at work last week. Several people lost their jobs. I'm fortunate enough to still be on the payroll but will be changing positions, moving back to our downtown office from the Grandview office, getting a new boss and serving in a different role. Kinda a stressful situation. But, like I said, I'm fortunate to still be employed so I'm thankful for that.

July will bring about my next tour of Doctor's offices. I'll have appointments with my Radiation Oncologist, my Oncologist and my ENT Oncologist spread out through the month with my next set of scans mixed in there on July 17th. My first appointment after the scans is on July 24th so that's when I'll get those results. Almost 5-weeks away but the suspense is already starting to build. I guess I just have to get used to that but no matter how well previous scans have gone, scans still carry with them a full set of anxiety each time.

That's today's update.

Wedding and a Massage

Traveling to the thriving metropolis of Eastland, TX this weekend for my nephew's wedding. Should be fun. Six of us -- including a baby and Caitlin who just had surgery on her shoulder last Friday -- all in one car. We're breaking the trip up on the way down so it's not too stressful and so we can all be rested back up on Saturday evening for the wedding. But we're hoping (dreaming) to drive all the way back on Sunday. We'll see. We have a contingency plan if things go awry.

I got the insurance stuff squared away and I WILL be able to have the Lymphedema Therapy. It starts next week. I'm not 100% sure what's involved but it's supposed to help with the swelling I get in my neck. About every third day or so I wake up in the morning with a golf ball just below my jaw or with my neck from my jaw down to my Adam's Apple puffed up. Somewhat cosmetic but also functional with my swallowing. The more isolated golf ball type swelling usually spreads out and dissipates by mid-morning but the more general swelling will be with me most of the day.

So, this treatment is intended to minimize this problem. We'll see.