First Round of Follow-Ups Complete

I saw my Chemo doc on Thursday last week and my Surgeon/Oncologist yesterday - both appointments were positive. On Thursday I had a 6 week follow-up with Hematology/Oncology (the Chemo doc). All they did was bloodwork and a quick oral update. That appointment was "necessitated" by a few bad results on prior bloodwork, otherwise they'd not have had me back for 3 months. When they take blood, they do two vials. One for a CBC (Complete Blood C???) and one for a Comprehensive Metabolic Panel. The results will be uploaded to my web site by the end of this week, however, but the "instant results" (CBC) were good for white blood cells, red blood cells, platelets, etc. The "creatinine" (Kidney) and the liver enzymes come back in the Comp -- which they've seen, and not phoned me, indicating the numbers are OK. I will see this doc again at the end of June. Yesterday, I saw the Surgeon. This is the first doc I saw at UC Health and he "owns" my case. He did the biopsy and represented my case at the "Tumor board" which resulted in the Chemo+Radiation (and no Surgery) treatment plan. Dr Casper asked a few questions about my ability to eat and swallow. He asked if I had any issues and I told him about my loss of hearing on the left side. He walked out and got me a hearing test down the hall which showed a signifcant "Moderate to Severe" loss in the left ear -- but "normal" on the right. This confirmed what I knew, that this was not systematic hearing loss caused by chemo, but rather localized loss on the left where the radiation was stronger. He saw "fluid" in the middle ear but no sign of infection so advised me to give it another 6 weeks to heal on its own. I have noticed occasional "clearing" of what I perceive as a blockage and I mentioned this to him which uncovered that I'd started taking Claritin a few days ago for seasonal allergies. Upon discovering this, he advised, and prescribed, Fluticasone (steroid nose spray) to try to reduce sinus swelling and potentially help get the hearing back faster. Aside from my hearing, Dr Casper used a camera to look down my throat at the tumor site and he reported very positive results there in terms of scarring and inflammation being minimal to non-existant. Likewise his assessment of the area based on feeling for lumps from the outside was also positive. Overall, I have little difficulty eating. I'm even able to eat sandwiches now -- although I do overload condiments a little to add moisture. I can drink Sprite or 7-Up without diluting them -- although I'm mostly just drinking water now since it tastes normal again. I am still avoiding spicy foods although my tolerance there continues to increase. I don't really have any foods left that taste "wrong". Tomatoes and beef were the worst and I ate a grilled hamburger with Ketchup and a slice of fresh tomato last night and it was awesome! Next step....PET Scan on Friday May 17 and follow-up with Radiation Oncologist on Thursday May 23 to review results. I also have follow-ups with the other docs in June. Not sure what kinds of things might be recommended if the scan is not clear -- so hoping and praying for the best outcome there.

Mid-April Update

I have a bunch of follow-up doctor visits coming up: 4/18 - Hematology/Oncology - this is the "chemo doc", who will check my blood work to see how my Kidneys and Liver are doing and also to look for a return to normal range of Red Blood Cells, Platelets, White Blood Cells, Iron and a few other minerals. I've been taking supplements, so hopefully these values will be normal ranges. 4/22 - Otolaryngology/Oncology -- this is the surgeon that I originally met with in December who did the biopsies and took my case to the "tumor board" which then set-up the treatment plan. He is an ENT and I'm planning to discuss my hearing loss with him. Not sure what he'll be doing or looking for in the visit. 5/17 - PET Scan (this is the near full-body scan (head to mid-thigh) that looks for any signs of cancer in/around the lymph system, since at least one lymph node was "involved" in the left side of my neck 5/23 - Radiation / Oncology follow-up. This is the big, post scan follow-up to determine the effectiveness of the treatment I went through in January / February and to hopefully declare me "good to go" for 6 months....or not. In terms of recovery, I'm able to eat just about anything now although the dry mouth makes somethings just not worth it. I have some taste, but I notice that after the first or 2nd bite, I really don't taste anything. I honestly don't know if it used to be like that or if it's like that for everyone or if that will change. I do still have to avoid food that is too hot (temperature) or acidic. I have not tried anything spicy but expect that would be an issue, too. There is something in my throat -- either an open wound still, or sensitive scar tissue, that hurts when I yawn and hurts with certain foods. I seem to be at the stage in my recovery where I'm regaining strength...but not yet gaining weight back. From the absolute low point of mid-Feb through mid-March where I was only consuming about 600 calories a day while sleeping 18 hours and sitting/lying the other six, I am now getting up around 7am and going to bed around 10 or 10:30, no naps. I'm working full days and am generally productive the whole time and I'm out and about after work and weekends, too. I've cut the grass twice in the past week and I went to three soccer matches this past weekend and also got out for "evening walks" in the neighborhood four nights. I'm trying to build my strength back to the point that I can be of use when it comes time to move Abby back home from college in a few weeks. Right now, I don't see me being much help.