Week 13 - Friday

Things are getting better!

Had doctor appointment with Dr. Herman - my radiologist - yesterday. That went pretty well. The doctor thought that my improvement was really good. I am not going to be seeing him again until Thursday, December 16th (Angel's birthday). I will be having a CT scan on the 14th, so hopefully we will discuss the results of this test. My doctor acts like everything will be good.

I do not know when I will be eating again - but I have permission to start taking baby steps - I mean baby food - if I can handle it. I do have to be careful as the food could cause me to choke. So, my new diet could be baby applesauce, baby pears, baby squash - you know - all of the yummy stuff. I probably won't be going for the works come turkey day - but maybe some potatoes and gravy. Also, I am going to start trying some really 'thin' soups.

So things are progressing slowly. I am finally enjoying 'sipping' water through a straw. Next, I will be downing the baby food. Pretty soon 'olives'! I hope I don't get too stuffed.

I had committed to grilling a turkey this year for thanksgiving. That was before I discovered my cancer. But, I am still planning on cooking the bird and we will be having turkey day at home this year with all of Carol's offspring.

That's it for now.

Week 13 - Wednesday

Carol and I went to the movie yesterday.  (Morning Glory – really cute!)

It seems like I get a little better each day now.

I have been able to drink water through a straw for the last two days. Everything else I get through my feeding tube. But I am finally feeling better so that is good.

I have gone through 35 radiation treatments and two chemo treatments – and during this time I got blood poisoning – and that was what sent me to the hospital – for six days. I had four transfusions since the blood poisoning.

Looking forward to Florida. The PGA tournament was from Disney this weekend and the weather looked perfect.

Couple of problems around home. Last Thursday the spring for the garage door broke – locking both of our cars in the garage until we could get service out – of course it was late in the day. And then Sunday night, Monday morning we lost our heat. Consumers didn’t get to us until after 4:00pm. But we survived and everything is back to normal.

Carol worked in the yard all week when the weather was so beautiful. I even basked in the sun on a couple of days.

We are going to be renting a different home this year – but it still close to where we stayed the last two years. I guess I will be doing more relaxing that I have in the past years.

Week 12 - Day 2

Appointment with my oncologist - Dr. Hamdan - on Monday. Told me I was doing fine. Need more new skin to continue growing inside of my mouth and tongue area. The thyroid test I took on Friday did not identify anything. Doctor wants to follow up with additional thyroid tests.

Dr. Hamdan still thinks I should get my third chemotherapy treatment. Tentatively scheduled for 3 weeks from today. I will see the doctor earlier in the morning to verify and prepare for chemotherapy to follow this appointment. (November 30th)

Soon after this - I will be scheduled for another CT scan to determine where my cancer is (or isn't). Both of my doctors will study this scan and give me their opinions.

My doctors are aware of our Florida plans and will make necessary arrangements for follow-up while we are snow-birding. But, it looks more and more like my Florida winter this year will be spent in more of a convalescing and getting better mode than swatting the golf ball around on the golf course. Today this seems like a bummer, but the problem is I am not swatting anything around right now anyway. More to come as I learn what is happening. Next doctor appointment is scheduled for a week from Thursday with Dr. Herman - my radiologist. (November 18th)

Week 10 - 11

Just got back from the doctor visit for this week. Dr. Herman - radiologist - says I am looking and doing really good. My skin has all healed to the point that I do not have to put cream or lotion on in anymore. The inside of my throat is coming along. Still healing - but looks really good. This will take longer. (This was pretty much the same diagnosis from last week.) Next appointment is in two weeks.

I'm disappointed that I can't start feeding without the tube. The doctor said he would like me to continue with just chipped ice and maybe try some water for the next two weeks. It's going to take some time for all of this to heal.

I complained about how tired I always am. This is normal and I should rest as needed. But they are going to check my thyroid as it could have been affected by the radiation.

So - I am back home now taking my lunch via the tube and getting ready for a nap.

I've seen a lot of friends, family and acquaintances lately and they all tell me how good I look and how much better I seem. But, I look in the mirror and see a rather sickly, jaundice, skinny, puny, weak, old, sad person with skin that is barely clinging to my bones and just a really old person. I guess I better be finding a new mirror to use.