Since I am having some throat problems, I called Dr. Mundy's office yesterday, and Corie suggested I move my follow-up appointment from next Tuesday to today. And since there was a time available, I did.
Essentially I'm having real problems with a sore area on the inside of my throat. No pain on the outside, but I figured it was something I should check on since it's definitely sore and is a problem when I swallow.
Apparently there was no real concern. Dr. Mundy said they see a lot of pain from radiation treatments and it can go for up to a year. He palpated my neck and didn't feel anything. Also, I've had a lump on the right side of my jaw (where it hinges) that's sort of on the cheek next to the gum. I know I'm biting it and it's been there since I had my lower teeth pulled, but again, nothing there. Some scar tissue, but that's it.
I've also lost another six pounds, which isn't a surprise. I am starting to eat again, but it's a slow process adding stuff in. I'll just keep trying stuff and see what works. Meanwhile, losing that weight isn't a problem. Doing it this was sucks, but it's off, so I can at least be grateful for that.
Dr. Mundy has scheduled me for a CT scan on Monday. That's routine, so I've not got any panicky feelings about that. :) And he wants to see me again in three months, which I take it to mean he's feeling pretty positive about how I'm doing. I'd expected another couple of months of the once-a-month follow-up.
So, CT scan on Monday, see Dr. Lehr on Thursday, which means I'll hold off on another update until I see Dr. Lehr unless there's something that needs to be posted about the CT scan...and I probably won't hear back on it until mid-week.
So that's it from here. Hope everyone had a good Memorial Day weekend!
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Friday, May 23, 2008
Close to the end of May update :)
Well, things are moving along here.
I go see my docs during the first week of June, so once I see them both, I'll post another update.
The sore throat is still here, but it's improving which is GOOD news.
The salivary glands are still MIA, which is BAD news.
Each one of those poses problems of their own. The sore throat - which seems to get better/worse without warning - can make it hard to swallow. Think of having a lump in your throat...then make that lump sore and that's how it is. It's in one location and, unfortunately, is located where it can make my left ear hurt. Like I said, though, I think it's improving and, for the most part, I'm able to work around it.
The salivary glands are a whole 'nother game. You don't really think about it when things are normal, but when the glands have been destroyed, not only do you get dry mouth if you talk to much or even just don't have frequent sips of water, but swallowing food is very difficult. For that matter, chewing food (and I'm talking pimento cheese spread and Twinkie stuff here) can be almost impossible. If it's too dry, forget swallowing...just find some polite way to get rid of it.
I've been told that will improve, and I'm hoping like hell that's true because if it isn't, there are going to be a whole lot more things that I can't eat rather than can.
Tastebuds are still missing for the most part. It seems like they're slowly coming back. I still find things that taste just awful (Banana? Horrible. Apples? Ick.), but I figure this is one of those things that will return given time...and it may be months.
Eating stuff is improving, though. I'm down to one Ensure a day or two if I get busy and don't stop for lunch. The menu is broadening, and I'm actually cooking Sunday in the hopes that there will be even more that I can eat. Happiness is solid food, let me tell you. Still doing the high fat/high calorie stuff, but I suspect that's temporary.
Strength is still a problem. It's not helped by not enough food, but the main thing seems to be I don't sleep well. Hell, I'm not tired when I go to bed. And it's amazing how many times you can redecorate, paint and remodel a house between the hours of 1 am and 6 am.
To fight that, Randall dragged my ass all over town this week. Each day we went somewhere. Just about wiped me out, but that's the only way I'll ever begin to get a more normal routine going. He talked me into doing that rather than starting a painting project, and I'm grateful. I just thought I'd start doing something about what we keeping me awake, but this was a much better idea.
So, things are looking up. Food is getting to be on the solid side. Ensure is still with me, but the amount is way down.
I wish I could fire up the grill for Memorial Day, that that's still beyond me right now. So I'll make do with a chicken and dressing casserole, some mashed sweet potatoes, sauted Mexican squash with red onion and a glazed lemon pound cake. Damn. I'm hungry now...too bad I haven't found anything that will work as a snack!
Everyone have a wonderful holiday and be safe if you're traveling or doing other fun stuff!
I go see my docs during the first week of June, so once I see them both, I'll post another update.
The sore throat is still here, but it's improving which is GOOD news.
The salivary glands are still MIA, which is BAD news.
Each one of those poses problems of their own. The sore throat - which seems to get better/worse without warning - can make it hard to swallow. Think of having a lump in your throat...then make that lump sore and that's how it is. It's in one location and, unfortunately, is located where it can make my left ear hurt. Like I said, though, I think it's improving and, for the most part, I'm able to work around it.
The salivary glands are a whole 'nother game. You don't really think about it when things are normal, but when the glands have been destroyed, not only do you get dry mouth if you talk to much or even just don't have frequent sips of water, but swallowing food is very difficult. For that matter, chewing food (and I'm talking pimento cheese spread and Twinkie stuff here) can be almost impossible. If it's too dry, forget swallowing...just find some polite way to get rid of it.
I've been told that will improve, and I'm hoping like hell that's true because if it isn't, there are going to be a whole lot more things that I can't eat rather than can.
Tastebuds are still missing for the most part. It seems like they're slowly coming back. I still find things that taste just awful (Banana? Horrible. Apples? Ick.), but I figure this is one of those things that will return given time...and it may be months.
Eating stuff is improving, though. I'm down to one Ensure a day or two if I get busy and don't stop for lunch. The menu is broadening, and I'm actually cooking Sunday in the hopes that there will be even more that I can eat. Happiness is solid food, let me tell you. Still doing the high fat/high calorie stuff, but I suspect that's temporary.
Strength is still a problem. It's not helped by not enough food, but the main thing seems to be I don't sleep well. Hell, I'm not tired when I go to bed. And it's amazing how many times you can redecorate, paint and remodel a house between the hours of 1 am and 6 am.
To fight that, Randall dragged my ass all over town this week. Each day we went somewhere. Just about wiped me out, but that's the only way I'll ever begin to get a more normal routine going. He talked me into doing that rather than starting a painting project, and I'm grateful. I just thought I'd start doing something about what we keeping me awake, but this was a much better idea.
So, things are looking up. Food is getting to be on the solid side. Ensure is still with me, but the amount is way down.
I wish I could fire up the grill for Memorial Day, that that's still beyond me right now. So I'll make do with a chicken and dressing casserole, some mashed sweet potatoes, sauted Mexican squash with red onion and a glazed lemon pound cake. Damn. I'm hungry now...too bad I haven't found anything that will work as a snack!
Everyone have a wonderful holiday and be safe if you're traveling or doing other fun stuff!
Monday, May 12, 2008
Quickie Update
Wow. It's been 12 days since I posted. :)
Things are sort of slow around here. Not much to report in the healing department, though it's mainly a by-the-week thing rather than day-to-day.
The mouth sores are pretty much gone, though right now I've got a blister on the inside of my gum near my tongue that's about the size of a pencil erasure. That's something that popped up this afternoon and is already going down. I'm not particularly worried about it since it's deflating and I *think* it was caused by a major coughing fit I had this morning (we were outside checking the herb garden and the air was apparently poison). So I think we can move the mouth sores into the "solved" column.
The sore throat is still here, but MUCH, MUCH, MUCH improved. Pills aren't getting stuck with nearly the frequency, and swallowing is now just a tad bit painful instead of bad enough to keep me from wanting to even drink water. That means that I'm back up to my normal water intake (something over 60 ounces a day) and not in any danger of dehydrating anymore. The coughing fit today aggravated it some, but more along the lines of just an irritant that soon went away. The dry mouth/throat is a bit better, too, which is good because that was what was causing my throat so many problems by kicking off the coughing.
Food is still Ensure for the most part. I am able to work in some scrambled eggs and tonight I had some macaroni and cheese with dinner. I'm not rushing the food, though, since the Ensure has the calories and nutrients that I need. I'll add some food in here and there and keep going with the Ensure for the next few days. I've got some soups frozen that are cream-based, and I'll be working some of them in over the next few days, too.
Solid food is just going to have to wait a bit. I took last week off to cook up several meals for Randall and a couple more soups for me, so we're not in any danger of going without. It's also helpful because there's no pressure on me to get in the kitchen and get creative every few nights. I just have to remember to tell Randall to go get food out for himself. LOL
Oh. My tastebuds are still AWOL, but I'm noticing some things tasting better (including chocolate!!!! WOOT!!!), so I figure they'll start making more of an appearance over the next few months.
I still get very tired very easily. I suspect that's going to be one of the last things to go. Just peeling and chopping sweet potatoes last week wore me out. Moving some furniture around in the guest room two days ago had me reeling. So that will probably be the symptom that sticks around for a long time.
That's about it from here for now. Hopefully I'll see more improvements in the next week and will post in.
Have a great week everyone!
Things are sort of slow around here. Not much to report in the healing department, though it's mainly a by-the-week thing rather than day-to-day.
The mouth sores are pretty much gone, though right now I've got a blister on the inside of my gum near my tongue that's about the size of a pencil erasure. That's something that popped up this afternoon and is already going down. I'm not particularly worried about it since it's deflating and I *think* it was caused by a major coughing fit I had this morning (we were outside checking the herb garden and the air was apparently poison). So I think we can move the mouth sores into the "solved" column.
The sore throat is still here, but MUCH, MUCH, MUCH improved. Pills aren't getting stuck with nearly the frequency, and swallowing is now just a tad bit painful instead of bad enough to keep me from wanting to even drink water. That means that I'm back up to my normal water intake (something over 60 ounces a day) and not in any danger of dehydrating anymore. The coughing fit today aggravated it some, but more along the lines of just an irritant that soon went away. The dry mouth/throat is a bit better, too, which is good because that was what was causing my throat so many problems by kicking off the coughing.
Food is still Ensure for the most part. I am able to work in some scrambled eggs and tonight I had some macaroni and cheese with dinner. I'm not rushing the food, though, since the Ensure has the calories and nutrients that I need. I'll add some food in here and there and keep going with the Ensure for the next few days. I've got some soups frozen that are cream-based, and I'll be working some of them in over the next few days, too.
Solid food is just going to have to wait a bit. I took last week off to cook up several meals for Randall and a couple more soups for me, so we're not in any danger of going without. It's also helpful because there's no pressure on me to get in the kitchen and get creative every few nights. I just have to remember to tell Randall to go get food out for himself. LOL
Oh. My tastebuds are still AWOL, but I'm noticing some things tasting better (including chocolate!!!! WOOT!!!), so I figure they'll start making more of an appearance over the next few months.
I still get very tired very easily. I suspect that's going to be one of the last things to go. Just peeling and chopping sweet potatoes last week wore me out. Moving some furniture around in the guest room two days ago had me reeling. So that will probably be the symptom that sticks around for a long time.
That's about it from here for now. Hopefully I'll see more improvements in the next week and will post in.
Have a great week everyone!
Thursday, May 1, 2008
If it's Thursday, it's time for updates
Yep. It's Thursday. Update time.
Saw both my doctors this afternoon. First Dr. Mundy and then Dr. Lehr.
Follow-up appointment at Fentress. FINALLY got those poor people some cookies. Blasted things had been in my freezer for 10 days, but now they're on site and welcomed. Talked with Corie (our usual radiation therapist) and gave her the low down on my throat and the lack of food. Also mentioned that it seems the fluoride gel I've been using may be causing a reaction in my mouth. She passed all of that along.
Then I saw Dr. Mundy and he poked and prodded in my mouth. We talked about the sore throat and, really, there's nothing much that he could recommend. I'm using all the rinse and gargles and stuff.
I've been using a fluoride tray for my upper teeth every day, but it is sort of problematic. Obviously I'm going to need it for my teeth, but the problems it's giving me (sores, swollen gums, burning mouth) are keep me from eating when my sore throat would let me. I've had to stop it since Monday, and he recommended that I start it back up and rinse my mouth out once I was done. I'd been following the directions and those said NOT to rinse. This is one of those things I couldn't tell was going on when I was having radiation because, well, some of the side effects are mouth sores and general oral irritations.
Overall, though, the verdict is I'm doing well. I've lost 35 pounds since the treatments began, but I certainly had that to lose. It seems the weight loss has stabilized over the last several days, but I suspect there might be a couple more pounds to go. Then, of course, once I start eating, I'll start to gain some back. The exercise bike will be my new bud. :)
After we left Fentress, we went over to see Dr. Lehr. He sympathized with the sore throat, but like Dr. Mundy, said it was pretty much a time-to-heal issue. There aren't even any children's cough/sore throat drops I can use. The adult ones are just too strong, so I was hoping for a kiddie prescription since there are no OTC options, but it looks like I'm shit out of luck. Oh well.
Anyway, much poking and prodding and some discussion on the weight loss, but I think overall he's happy with how I'm doing. He is concerned about the mouth sores showing up when I use the fluoride, so he's suggesting that I hold off for another week or so and then try phasing it in again. I'll do that and stop if the sores show up. I was going to try it this weekend, but my mouth is so irritated that I think waiting a week is probably a good idea. It's not a long term fix because I absolutely need to be using fluoride, but hopefully a week off it will help.
So that's pretty much it. Things are keeping on keeping on. I go back to see both doctors at the first of next month. By then I'm really hoping Ensure will be history and I will be on at least what I was on during the early weeks of the radiation.
We also got the bill for the radiation therapy (this is a hospital bill which is separate from Dr. Mundy's which we've not gotten yet). It was for nearly 37K, and I just about died. Payment was waived for it, so we are fortunate we won't have that hanging over our heads. I think that was more than all the other bills combined.
I will probably post some sort of update mid-week. I should, hopefully see some results from not using fluoride for several days.
Everyone have a wonderful weekend!
Saw both my doctors this afternoon. First Dr. Mundy and then Dr. Lehr.
Follow-up appointment at Fentress. FINALLY got those poor people some cookies. Blasted things had been in my freezer for 10 days, but now they're on site and welcomed. Talked with Corie (our usual radiation therapist) and gave her the low down on my throat and the lack of food. Also mentioned that it seems the fluoride gel I've been using may be causing a reaction in my mouth. She passed all of that along.
Then I saw Dr. Mundy and he poked and prodded in my mouth. We talked about the sore throat and, really, there's nothing much that he could recommend. I'm using all the rinse and gargles and stuff.
I've been using a fluoride tray for my upper teeth every day, but it is sort of problematic. Obviously I'm going to need it for my teeth, but the problems it's giving me (sores, swollen gums, burning mouth) are keep me from eating when my sore throat would let me. I've had to stop it since Monday, and he recommended that I start it back up and rinse my mouth out once I was done. I'd been following the directions and those said NOT to rinse. This is one of those things I couldn't tell was going on when I was having radiation because, well, some of the side effects are mouth sores and general oral irritations.
Overall, though, the verdict is I'm doing well. I've lost 35 pounds since the treatments began, but I certainly had that to lose. It seems the weight loss has stabilized over the last several days, but I suspect there might be a couple more pounds to go. Then, of course, once I start eating, I'll start to gain some back. The exercise bike will be my new bud. :)
After we left Fentress, we went over to see Dr. Lehr. He sympathized with the sore throat, but like Dr. Mundy, said it was pretty much a time-to-heal issue. There aren't even any children's cough/sore throat drops I can use. The adult ones are just too strong, so I was hoping for a kiddie prescription since there are no OTC options, but it looks like I'm shit out of luck. Oh well.
Anyway, much poking and prodding and some discussion on the weight loss, but I think overall he's happy with how I'm doing. He is concerned about the mouth sores showing up when I use the fluoride, so he's suggesting that I hold off for another week or so and then try phasing it in again. I'll do that and stop if the sores show up. I was going to try it this weekend, but my mouth is so irritated that I think waiting a week is probably a good idea. It's not a long term fix because I absolutely need to be using fluoride, but hopefully a week off it will help.
So that's pretty much it. Things are keeping on keeping on. I go back to see both doctors at the first of next month. By then I'm really hoping Ensure will be history and I will be on at least what I was on during the early weeks of the radiation.
We also got the bill for the radiation therapy (this is a hospital bill which is separate from Dr. Mundy's which we've not gotten yet). It was for nearly 37K, and I just about died. Payment was waived for it, so we are fortunate we won't have that hanging over our heads. I think that was more than all the other bills combined.
I will probably post some sort of update mid-week. I should, hopefully see some results from not using fluoride for several days.
Everyone have a wonderful weekend!
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