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.