RELIEF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, Campers, I had my biopsy yesterday, and although the results are not yet 'official', Dr. Otto felt comfortable enough to pronounce the results as negative.


So, I remain cancer-free!!


As for what the swelling and neck pain are, we go back to the residual effects of radiation and the healing process.  The doctor says that I do have 'severe ulceration' of my tongue and that I'm just a slow healer.  Hey, someone has to fill out the ends of the bell curves.  There is still pain, and there still will be for a while longer, but somehow it's much more palatable as part of the cure than back to being part of the disease.


But these past few weeks did make me think about some to the topics raised at support group sessions, such as, if you had it to do over again, knowing what you do, would you elect to go through the treatment again.  And, for me, that answer did remain a resounding 'yes' throughout.  I truly love life and will do whatever is necessary to prolong it.


As for the immediate future, I still have no idea when I'll be physically ready to go back to work  As ling as there is some pain and I am taking oxycontin and morphine sulfite, I can't feel confident driving to Lakewood Ranch.  And, I still usually need a nap during the day.  Again, we shall see what we shall see!!


Peace and love to all!!
Joe

The Searech Begins Anew. . .

We, Campers, I go back to Moffitt tomorrow, Thursday, October 30, for a biopsy on whatever is going on in my throat.  My neck is drastically swollen and I can only swallow with pain, and pretty much only water.  I am actually glad to have the feeding tube back. . .


But, It's a bit of a mystery at this point.  To address the elephant in the room (the elephant of surprise??), it is indeed possible that the disease is back.  I'm not sure if it would be on my tongue, in lymph nodes, or who knows where??  Or, it could be something else that is not cancerous.  That is what my body is telling me, but it tends to be an optimist.  But, we'll know better in a few days.  If it is cancer again, at least I know the drill, only I'm sure there will be new wrinkles.  If not, there will me new surprises!!!


As I keep saying, we shall see what we shall see!!


Peace and love to all!!
Joe

Back to rhe Drawing Board. . .

Well, Campers, what did the guy that invented the drawing board go back to??


I am back to the feeding tube exclusively right now, and any attempt to ingest anything by mouth but a little bit of cold water doesn't work.  And, the swelling of my throat is getting worse. . .


So, I will be going back up to Moffitt on Thursday for a consultation with my oncological surgeon which could lead to a biopsy, or who knows what. . .  But, whatever it is, I go through with it and we beat the reaper again and tweak his nose just for kicks!!


Peace and love to all!!!
Joe

The Tube Dude Rides Again!!!

OK, Campers.  My new feeding tube is now in place and, beginning tomorrow, I will be downing Boost VHC like there's no tomorrow.  Amazing how your perspective changes when you go three days without eating, or, in the case of a liquid supplement diet, three days without sustenance.


There will also be a home health care nurse here to start me on an all-day IV to replenish lost fluids.


As to the cause of my swallowing problems, still unknown at this point. I will be talking to the folks at Moffitt tomorrow to get the results of the CT Scan that they did yesterday. 


Elaine and I talked way back at the beginning of this ordeal, agreeing that there would be some complications along the way.  It's tough being right all the time!!!


Peace and love to all!!
Joe

Just When You Thought It Was Safe. . .

Well, Campers, recovery has taken a twist. 


For a couple of weeks, I have had some pain where nerves that had been damaged during radiation have begun to heal and regenerate with a vengeance.  Then, those pains were joined by a sore throat.  Then, a week or so ago, I began to develop difficulties swallowing till it hit the point that I can no longer eat anything, including my Boost VHC.  I can marginally drink, but it is also with pain.


So, today, Elaine and I were at Moffitt for a look-see.  The did a CT Scan with will hopefully yield some clues as to what's going on.  We'll find that out tomorrow.


In the meantime, until my throat can be fixed, I go back tomorrow to have a new feeding tube installed.  Oh, well. . .  But, it's the only solution as I have not eaten for two days and will not eat for two more. . .  They also gave me two hours of fluids to ward off dehydration and have scheduled home health care to have a nurse come to the house for five days to give me a quick IV each day for more fluid replenishment.


But, as I was in the waiting room waiting for the IV to be set up, I realized that as sore and miserable as I may be, I was the lucky one.  I was surrounded by people who are still fighting cancer;  my battle has already been won - now I'm working on the peace treaty for the rest of my life.


Peace and love to all!!
Joe