An update.

[alfredo]

I went to my Head and Neck Dr a few days ago. He gave me a realistic recovery outlook. He said because of my age, recovery will take much longer.

He explained that my tongue and throat are like an arm or leg just removed from a cast, and it will take a long time to relearn to swallow properly. I was given several exercises and some other tips. He said if it takes you an hour to eat a serving of pudding, that's ok. So I have my pack of vanilla pudding ready to make.

So my hope of getting this damn PEG tube removed soon was just a dream.

Anyway the scans were clean, so the PEG is a small price to pay.

[elleng]

1. Glad at least he gave you that info.

They don't always do that, so folks don't know what to expect, and suffer as a consequence.

[alfredo]

4. I had a feeling that my age played into the slow recovery.

He confirmed it.

[Solly Mack]

2. I'm glad the scans were good.

[alfredo]

5. He was the third or fourth to tell me. I'll never get tired of hearing it.

[dixiegrrrrl]

20. You can have copies, ya know. To frame, if you like.

Law says they gotta give us our records, and I never have problems getting them down here,cause I mention I need them for "the hurricane box".
Everyone understands that phrase around here.
I shoulda taken a pic of the body part they removed from me.
Oh..wait..I have the twin...I can snap that.

[alfredo]

22. It would be another piece of paper to lose.

The twin would make a fine centerpiece for Thanksgiving.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. I'm so glad the scans were clear, my dear alfredo!

[alfredo]

6. Yeah, but I won!'t be happy until I can eat a gyro.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

7. I understand! And ...that day is coming!!

[sinkingfeeling]

8. I don't know your age, but I was 60 when I went through my

cancer. It all hit me the worse 10 months after the surgery and 6 months after the end of radiation. That's when a small piece of my jaw bone disintegrated and cut up the inside of my cheek. Takes a long time, but it does happen.

Just keep on trying and doing the swallowing exercises. And keep a positive attitude.

[alfredo]

9. I got my PEG inserted on my 71st birthday.

[dixiegrrrrl]

12. Well, certainly a memorable birthday present, eh?

You and I are the same age, give or take a year.
I was very concerned about handling chemo partly because of my age.

Congrats on your clean scans

and here's to that gyro.

[alfredo]

14. I don't remember much of that day ;)

I was supposed to get three chemo sessions, but my white count forced them to cancel the third. I didn't complain.
I had my full 35 radiation sessions.

I'm rather pleased with the results. BTW, my beard is coming in dark, unlike the silver before radiation.

Oh, I forgot I have some pudding to try.

[dixiegrrrrl]

16. My hair has changed color also, but not because of any treatment

When I was mid-adult, with dark ash blond hair, I had a strip in front that was white.
Now that I have a nice whitish blond color ( my own natural color) that strip has turned black.
Weird, eh?

My oncologist did say, back when we were discussing chemo, that hair color comes back different sometimes, but also that the color may or may not remain like that.
Imagine that..a surprise every morning in the mirror!

[alfredo]

18. When I lost my beard, it was the first time I saw my face in decades. Scary

[OKNancy]

11. oh dear, I hope that doesn't happen to my husband

Every night he puts in a tray with fluoride paste. I think we were wishing this would help.
Did you do this?
( my husband is 63)

[sinkingfeeling]

13. Yes, the fluoride is for the teeth. Osteoradionecrosis is the

problem of bone dying from the radiation.

[OKNancy]

10. I was just thinking of you and hoping you would post

I was wondering about an update. Since my husband has the same thing as you, however so far, no surgery.
He has 8 more radiations and one chemo left. So far he is sore, but still swallowing some/feeding tube some.
Doctor gave him gabapentin then gabapentin liquid. He also has a fentanyl patch ready if he needs it.

[alfredo]

15. That Fentanyl is sooooo goood.

What is the gabapentin used for, pain or other issues?

[OKNancy]

17. it's a pain medication

It was first used for epilepsy, but they discovered it's great for nerve pain.
Our radiology oncologist is really big on pain management.

[alfredo]

19. That's good that it works.

[dixiegrrrrl]

21. Also for post shingles pain, my doc suggested it. n/t

[alfredo]

23. I got the vaccine after my first encounter with shingles.

[dixiegrrrrl]

24. There oughta be a law against shingles AND cancer in one lifetime. n/t

[PennyK]

25. How about in one year?

I got shingles last fall. The nerve pain was pretty awful, but the rash, meh. I got medication that helped a lot, an anti-viral and 'codones.

[alfredo]

27. I think I used Calimine lotion.

It was more bearable by the second night.

[dixiegrrrrl]

28. Sheesh.....you break a mirror or something ?

When it rains, it pours, eh?

[alfredo]

26. The republicans would cut the funding for enforcement