The excursion begins. The trek starts today. We are off to Florida until early May. I sure hope it gets warmer by the time we arrive.
We will be spending Monday night with my brother Tom and his wife, Pattie, who live in Covington, Kentucky.
Taking our time driving and expect to get in Clermont Thursday afternoon.
We are taking so long as it takes me a couple of hours to feed myself breakfast and then again at dinner time. I can't wait until food starts tasting normal and I do not need to use my formula and feeding tube.
Bon Voyage!
Monday, December 27, 2010
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Week 17 - Thursday
Today was good. Met with both of my cancer doctors and discussed the results of my CT scan.
ALL IS CLEAR. The tumors no longer showed on the scan. I am officially in remission.
The rest of the discussion was on being on vacation in Florida. I had looked up cancer centers that are close to where we stay and Dr. Herman picked one and will make arrangements for me to see a doctor while in Florida. They will have all of my records and will understand my concerns. I need to see a doctor on a monthly basis to ensure that I don't acquire infections or any other complications while in recovery.
I will work on feeding myself as best I can, first with liquids and softened foods and then hopefully with foods that are more solid. I have no idea how long this will take me, but I will be working on it. I want to get so that I do not have to use the feeding tube and formula.
Anyhow - today is a call for celebration with my treatment.
Thanking each and everyone of you for all of your moral and spiritual support!!
- Pat
ALL IS CLEAR. The tumors no longer showed on the scan. I am officially in remission.
The rest of the discussion was on being on vacation in Florida. I had looked up cancer centers that are close to where we stay and Dr. Herman picked one and will make arrangements for me to see a doctor while in Florida. They will have all of my records and will understand my concerns. I need to see a doctor on a monthly basis to ensure that I don't acquire infections or any other complications while in recovery.
I will work on feeding myself as best I can, first with liquids and softened foods and then hopefully with foods that are more solid. I have no idea how long this will take me, but I will be working on it. I want to get so that I do not have to use the feeding tube and formula.
Anyhow - today is a call for celebration with my treatment.
Thanking each and everyone of you for all of your moral and spiritual support!!
- Pat
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Week 17 - Tuesday
Tuesday I had my CT scan at Saint Lawrence campus of Sparrow Health Centers. Now I have previously had a scan like this but it was during the time that I had temporary amnesia back in 'the beginning' of my troubles. So I do not remember what the procedure was like.
This test is to show my doctors the results of my chemo and radiation. And...for me I hope these results are good.
The test had me pass through the scanning device while I lay on my back. The scanner moves back and forth, gives me directions to 'take a deep breath and hold' then 'you can breath normally now', while it takes the necessary pictures to create the desired test results. Before this they hooked me to an iodine IV that would run through my body and show up on the results - thus improving the reading by the doctors. A couple of quick passes for alignment, then a full pass and I am almost done. The next time I needed to have my arms above my head. Another pass and I am done. It was easy and fast - lasting about five minutes.
So now I meet with both of my cancer doctors and will be going over the results of these tests. This is the first diagnostic test to see the results of all of my previous cancer treatments.
Wish me luck.
This test is to show my doctors the results of my chemo and radiation. And...for me I hope these results are good.
The test had me pass through the scanning device while I lay on my back. The scanner moves back and forth, gives me directions to 'take a deep breath and hold' then 'you can breath normally now', while it takes the necessary pictures to create the desired test results. Before this they hooked me to an iodine IV that would run through my body and show up on the results - thus improving the reading by the doctors. A couple of quick passes for alignment, then a full pass and I am almost done. The next time I needed to have my arms above my head. Another pass and I am done. It was easy and fast - lasting about five minutes.
So now I meet with both of my cancer doctors and will be going over the results of these tests. This is the first diagnostic test to see the results of all of my previous cancer treatments.
Wish me luck.
Week 17 - Monday
Monday at Sparrow Hospital radiation/x-ray lab for my video test to see if I am swallowing OK and not going to aspirate - 'swallowed food and drink gets to the lungs'.
I was set up sideways to some type of x-ray camera and could watch my testing on a TV monitor in real time. This was really pretty cool. I was giving some type of liquid or food and we could see it and follow it as it entered my mouth and continued as I swallowed down to my esophagus. First - a small amount of liquid barium and we watched. I didn't aspirate. Liquid went down to my stomach as it was supposed to. The technician noticed that I did have trouble swallowing - it took me two swallows to complete this step where normally it is just one. I completed 4 additional tests which were larger amounts of the liquid, small amount of a thicker solution, a larger amount of same solution and finally applesauce mixed with the barium. In all cases I successfully swallowed for all tests. No aspiration. I can begin to start feeding myself orally. I still will need to supplement this diet with my special diet via my tube until I can consume the necessary calories to maintain my weight.
I was set up sideways to some type of x-ray camera and could watch my testing on a TV monitor in real time. This was really pretty cool. I was giving some type of liquid or food and we could see it and follow it as it entered my mouth and continued as I swallowed down to my esophagus. First - a small amount of liquid barium and we watched. I didn't aspirate. Liquid went down to my stomach as it was supposed to. The technician noticed that I did have trouble swallowing - it took me two swallows to complete this step where normally it is just one. I completed 4 additional tests which were larger amounts of the liquid, small amount of a thicker solution, a larger amount of same solution and finally applesauce mixed with the barium. In all cases I successfully swallowed for all tests. No aspiration. I can begin to start feeding myself orally. I still will need to supplement this diet with my special diet via my tube until I can consume the necessary calories to maintain my weight.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Week 14 - 15
Last week was Thanksgiving. That went well. I grilled the turkey outside for all to feast on. Unfortunately I am still feeding myself through my feeding tube. Energy level is still low. I slept through an awful lot of football this week.
Spartans are Big Ten champions!
Yesterday I had an appointment with Dr. Hamdan. He was going to determine if I continued with my chemo later in the day. After my exam the doctor determined it would be too detrimental for my recovery to have the third chemo treatment. So that has been cancelled, again. I'm still not eating anything and, again, I am having trouble even sipping water through a straw. And my mouth is still rather sore. So, I am being scheduled for therapy to learn how to use my throat again. This should help me get into the feeding.
I am disappointed that I will still need the feeding tube when we go to Florida. I was hoping I would have this removed before we left. I need to find out information about what kind of activities I can do with a PEG tube. Like swimming and golf. The internet says it's possible. Dr. Herman is going to provide me with info at my next appointment. Only 4 and a half weeks until we leave for Florida.
Spartans are Big Ten champions!
Yesterday I had an appointment with Dr. Hamdan. He was going to determine if I continued with my chemo later in the day. After my exam the doctor determined it would be too detrimental for my recovery to have the third chemo treatment. So that has been cancelled, again. I'm still not eating anything and, again, I am having trouble even sipping water through a straw. And my mouth is still rather sore. So, I am being scheduled for therapy to learn how to use my throat again. This should help me get into the feeding.
I am disappointed that I will still need the feeding tube when we go to Florida. I was hoping I would have this removed before we left. I need to find out information about what kind of activities I can do with a PEG tube. Like swimming and golf. The internet says it's possible. Dr. Herman is going to provide me with info at my next appointment. Only 4 and a half weeks until we leave for Florida.
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