Friday, June 6, 2008

Friday Dr. Appointment

Sorry about the tardiness with regards writing and adding to my blog. Our Internet connection and home network has been intermittently broken.

I did not go for the bronchoscopy like procedure today as I could not get an appointment set up. They would have had me come in and wait to see if an appointment would become available and I elected to wait till next week. Let me explain why. I actually have started to see some improvement in the swallowing problem. I am now able to eat most things. I just have to chase the food down pretty quickly with water and the pain subsides quickly.

I also understand what "withdrawal" feels like. This morning I woke up and really did not feel well at all. I started to feel progressively worse and then realised that my pain patch (Fentenol) had come off. After a short nap and new patch I felt a hell of a lot better.

It has been really great having my Aunt, Uncle and Cousin visit with us from Toronto. Good meals now that I am playing food catch up. More later.

Wednesday, June 4, 2008

Appointment with Dr. Brenner

Let me describe the swallowing. I can chew and swallow anything. But within seconds of actually swallowing things I get really bad pain in the center of my upper chest (oesophagus). There has been some slight improvement. But very slight.

I met this morning with Dr. Brenner and he was somewhat surprised that I was still having so much pain with swallowing. This after two and a half weeks since the completion of the radiation treatments. He was not concerned at all about something bad going on in my oesophagus. He also mentioned that if I am having this much pain can you imagine what the cancer cells are going through. Hopefully a very positive death!!! What a strange statement.

He has arranged for me to have something similar to a bronchoscopy. Hopefully Dr. Skaryak will do the procedure this Friday. It will be an out-patient procedure with mild sedation. Whoopee. Dr. Brenner believes that I am still suffering from radiation burn or I may have some ulcers in the oesophagus. Dr. Skaryak will be able to tell us. I will keep you all informed.

In the meantime Rob arrives home from her European vacation this afternoon. It will be good to see her and see all the pictures and hear the stories.

I have another ZW$ note to show you courtesy of Ilan. ZW$500,000,000. As of this very second it's worth US$0.40. Ask me it's worth tomorrow!

Sunday, June 1, 2008

Friday & Weekend Update

I know that I am explaining this in a very round about convoluted way but I do feel that I have reached the bottom and things seem to be improving.

There has been a slight improvement in the swallowing department. I am still pretty much reliant on the Carnations and the other nutritional drinks. I am trying different foods and seeing what I can tolerate. Some I can handle in small amounts. Other stuff, that hurts right now, I avoid.

We have a busy week coming up. On Tuesday I meet with Dr. Brenner. We will discuss the radiation effects and where I am with the recovery. On Wednesday I go to the infusion center for round 6 of the Avastin treatments. We will also discuss what to expect in the coming weeks with regards the oncology side of the equation.

Robyn comes home on Wednesday from her Europe trip. Sounds like she has had an incredible time. On Thursday My uncle Hchie (Hymie) aunt Joan (Donut) and cousin Jennifer (Jones) are coming to spend a few days with us. I am really looking forward to seeing them all.