Went to the Doctor this afternoon and got the results from last week's scan. Another scan down and I'm still cancer free at this point.
I'm not sure why but I had a really bad feeling coming in to today's doctor appointment. No reason in particular other than your imagination of the unknown can be a really bad thing. I went to work today until I had to leave at 2:30 but it was pretty much a waste of a day. Couldn't concentrate on my business. Like I said, I just had a really bad feeling and my mind was busy trying to figure out how we were going to break the news to the kids, how patient my employer was going to be with another round of missed/reduced work, what my treatment options would be, etc., etc. Crazy how your brain works.
So, now I wait a few months for my next round of scans. In the meantime I continue to feel great. I still have dry mouth issues, swallowing issues, super-sensitivity to spice of any kind, etc., etc. But those are things I'm learning to live with and, other than those localized issues, I really do feel as good as I've felt in years. I'm cruisin' around with about 25 fewer pounds and I'm going to the gym pretty regularly. The Seniors Division of the World Body Builders Association hasn't called or anything (yet), but things are pretty good.
I have an appointment with Dr. Tsue the first week of August and have a few more lymphedema treatments remaining, then I'm done with medical folks for a few months other than a regular dental checkup and an annual physical.
We leave Sunday morning for a family shin-dig at Lake Tenkiller in Oklahoma, just east of Muskogee. This marks the 20th year we've gone there with my parents, my brother's family and my sister's family. Four Grandkids has become ten Grandkids and this year we've added a Granddaughter-In-Law (my nephew's new bride) and a Great-Granddaughter (Sophie). Unfortunately my parents aren't able to go this year for the first time in those 20 years. Kinda sad. But we're trying to move on. The kids all really enjoy the trip.
Next Scan will be mid-October. After that another scan in January then we'll go to 6-month spacing for the scans. Looking forward to that.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Monday, July 13, 2009
A Visit from Old Friends
Dang, as I've reported in recent posts, I thought that I was -- overall -- approaching normalcy again. Yes, I still have plenty of localized issues with my throat and mouth but, outside that part of my body, my energy level was up and I was feeling pretty good.
In an effort to bring me back to earth, the two fine gentlemen Mr. Radiation and Mr. Chemotherapy thought they'd send me a little reminder this past weekend lest I not forget them.
We had some work to do around the house. Mostly inside -- repainting and decorating a room -- but a little outside work to haul some brush and trash up to the dump. Ed and Julie planned to spend most of the weekend at our house helping so we could knock it out.
Friday night went well. We got all the prep work done -- removing chair rails, sanding, washing, priming, etc. I was pretty pooped but we had worked pretty hard so that was to be expected. After sleeping a little later than normal Saturday morning, I did a little work outside to get the stuff hauled to the dump then joined Eddie back with the painting. All was going well until we finished the first coat mid-afternoon and sat down for a bit to let it dry.
It was just like the old days. I hit a wall and couldn't stay awake if my life depended on it. I assumed my familiar position in the recliner and I was out for 2-1/2 hours, despite the youngins' being less than quiet around me. I finally woke up early evening, we ate some dinner and got to work on a second coat and some electrical work. By 10:00 or so I was exhausted again and was out in the recliner again.
Sunday was a bit better as we were putting the finishing touches on. But Sunday evening was still a challenge and I wound up going to bed earlier than I probably should have given a bit of remaining clean-up that we had to do. Sorry Jenny.
We did get done -- thanks mostly to our help from Ed and Julie -- but dang, I'm just not as far along as I thought I was. I thought my trips to the gym and working full days had prepared me for a weekend of manual labor like this but I was sorely mistaken.
On a separate note, I started work back at our downtown office last week. Much different atmosphere, less attractive commute, etc. but I'm still employed, still receiving a paycheck and -- maybe most important right now -- I still have insurance. Getting settled in now and learning the ropes.
Looking forward to my scans on Friday. Looking less forward to getting the results a week from Friday.
In an effort to bring me back to earth, the two fine gentlemen Mr. Radiation and Mr. Chemotherapy thought they'd send me a little reminder this past weekend lest I not forget them.
We had some work to do around the house. Mostly inside -- repainting and decorating a room -- but a little outside work to haul some brush and trash up to the dump. Ed and Julie planned to spend most of the weekend at our house helping so we could knock it out.
Friday night went well. We got all the prep work done -- removing chair rails, sanding, washing, priming, etc. I was pretty pooped but we had worked pretty hard so that was to be expected. After sleeping a little later than normal Saturday morning, I did a little work outside to get the stuff hauled to the dump then joined Eddie back with the painting. All was going well until we finished the first coat mid-afternoon and sat down for a bit to let it dry.
It was just like the old days. I hit a wall and couldn't stay awake if my life depended on it. I assumed my familiar position in the recliner and I was out for 2-1/2 hours, despite the youngins' being less than quiet around me. I finally woke up early evening, we ate some dinner and got to work on a second coat and some electrical work. By 10:00 or so I was exhausted again and was out in the recliner again.
Sunday was a bit better as we were putting the finishing touches on. But Sunday evening was still a challenge and I wound up going to bed earlier than I probably should have given a bit of remaining clean-up that we had to do. Sorry Jenny.
We did get done -- thanks mostly to our help from Ed and Julie -- but dang, I'm just not as far along as I thought I was. I thought my trips to the gym and working full days had prepared me for a weekend of manual labor like this but I was sorely mistaken.
On a separate note, I started work back at our downtown office last week. Much different atmosphere, less attractive commute, etc. but I'm still employed, still receiving a paycheck and -- maybe most important right now -- I still have insurance. Getting settled in now and learning the ropes.
Looking forward to my scans on Friday. Looking less forward to getting the results a week from Friday.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
7 Months
Nothing really to report, now. Tomorrow will mark seven months since treatment ended. I think back on all the improvements I've made in that time and how lucky I feel that all my scans have been clean to date. I just hope the progress and the clean scans continue.
Lyphedema treatment continues, though my therapist is on vacation most of this week so I only have one treatment. But that really seems to be helping with my tongue pain, my voice is improving and, visually, I'm starting to see some improvement as well. I don't understand how/why this helps with my tongue pain but it was hurting pretty badly for several weeks and, with no other changes, has improved a lot during the four weeks of treatment. So I guess it's because of the treatment. I won't argue, regardless.
At work I move to the downtown office on Tuesday morning. So tomorrow will be spent packing and Tuesday will be spent unpacking. Should be a fun couple of days.
I go see my Radiation Oncologist on Friday this week and that kicks off this round of Doctor Appointments. Then I have scans the 17th, Dr. Williamson (Oncologist) the 24th and Dr. Tsue August 6th.
I've had lunch a couple of times with Jeff, my treatment partner who's had cancer show up in his lungs. His medication he was taking to slow/stop the growth hasn't done what the doctor wanted it to do. So he's stopped that and is weighing his options with a few different treatment paths. At the same time, he said he feels great right now and, if it weren't for the scans, would have no idea anything were wrong. That along with a great attitude and a strong faith is keeping him going. But keep him and his family in your thoughts and prayers.
Lyphedema treatment continues, though my therapist is on vacation most of this week so I only have one treatment. But that really seems to be helping with my tongue pain, my voice is improving and, visually, I'm starting to see some improvement as well. I don't understand how/why this helps with my tongue pain but it was hurting pretty badly for several weeks and, with no other changes, has improved a lot during the four weeks of treatment. So I guess it's because of the treatment. I won't argue, regardless.
At work I move to the downtown office on Tuesday morning. So tomorrow will be spent packing and Tuesday will be spent unpacking. Should be a fun couple of days.
I go see my Radiation Oncologist on Friday this week and that kicks off this round of Doctor Appointments. Then I have scans the 17th, Dr. Williamson (Oncologist) the 24th and Dr. Tsue August 6th.
I've had lunch a couple of times with Jeff, my treatment partner who's had cancer show up in his lungs. His medication he was taking to slow/stop the growth hasn't done what the doctor wanted it to do. So he's stopped that and is weighing his options with a few different treatment paths. At the same time, he said he feels great right now and, if it weren't for the scans, would have no idea anything were wrong. That along with a great attitude and a strong faith is keeping him going. But keep him and his family in your thoughts and prayers.
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