Patrick Foltz: November 2011

Saturday, November 19, 2011

One Year Later

It has been one year since I completed my treatment for tonsular cancer. I have recently completed doctors appointments and checkups with my radiation doctors, oncologist and my personal doctors. All analysis have been excellent including a review of my recent CT scan. So that is all great and wonderful news.

As a result of my radiation I have suffered some consequences that have been inhibiting my eating in a normal manner. So I have been dependent on my feeding tube for the last year. I have set a personal goal to become completely independent of this device by Thanksgiving and am slowly getting confidence in my ability to eat orally. Well, this has been going better than expected and I am pretty much free of the tether. I reported to Dr. Herman, oncologist, that I am able to maintain my weight without using the feeding tube and he has updated this report to my surgeon. I am scheduled for surgery to remove my feeding tube on December 13th. YAHOO! No more 'little pie hole' my 'chain and ball' will be removed. No more tether. In case you can't tell - I am excited.

To get to this point I had eight endoscopes to stretch and enlarge my esophagus. These have been successful. I also have been working with a physical therapist to relax, manipulate and stretch my jaw muscles to enable my ability to open my mouth and resume a normal mouth opening. I continue with physical therapy three times a week for this portion of my recovery.

Overall, things are great and I'm feeling and doing fine. Doing much better than I thought possible six months ago. I am beginning to think about Florida migration and the beginning of my golfing spring training schedule.

Happy Turkey Day to all!

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Halloween '2011 - BOO!

Two weeks ‘til my 1^st annual cancer checkup. Next week I have my obligatory CT scan in preparation for my exam. Met with my radiation doctor last week and all was well. Could not see or feel any cancer. Helping me out with my mouth and tongue soreness. Probably nerves as there is no visible issues. The medicine I am taking seems to be helping. He sees me every six months and my Oncologist sees me every 3 months. I also have a family doctor in Florida and a cancer doctor to continue with my three month evaluations. My dermatologist is every four months, my ENT specialist is every four months, my family doctor is every six months, my dentist is every six months, my hygienist is every four months, my ophthalmologist is yearly as is my audiologist. I don’t see anyone for my pain in the ass. It sure is a good thing that my insurance covers all of this including hospitalization, medical supplies and drugs.

Additional Info

I am retired since 2008 from the State of Michigan where I most recently worked for the Department of Information Technology doing project management. My first career was with Oldsmobile working in the Body Design Department, Systems Engineer, Computer Graphics Design and then was transitioned to Electronic Data Systems when GM purchased Ross Perot’s company in 1985. I worked for GM and EDS for over 27 years.

Since retirement Carol and I have become snowbirds – spending four months in the central Florida area from late December to May. We enjoy entertaining guests and family when we are in Florida. Also play golf a couple of times a week and visit the ‘sights’ in the Orlando area.

My friends call me a computer ‘nerd’ and call on me to solve their computer and network problems.

I enjoy traveling – visited New Zealand for a month traveling most of both South and North Islands, two years ago spent two months in Arizona and travel most of Michigan. I also enjoy golf, fishing, painting and music.