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Hello, hope that you are all doing well...I
am!
This has been a week of testing and double-checking....oh, and the surgical
placement of a feeding tube in my stomach.
Arrived here last Sunday (Dec 5th) and am finally settled into the Homewood
Suites hotel, which is located on Highway 15-501 half way between Chapel
Hill and Durham. It really is an excellent location....right off I-40
at exit 270; near plenty of shopping and food establishments; and near
just about anything you might need. The hospital is 4.5 miles away....so
the location is perfect.
The Homewood Suites provides a two-room suite, living room/kitchen/large
worktable and a bedroom with two double beds. Two TV’s; two phones,
etc., maid service daily, etc. Am in room 302 and will probably keep this
room for some time. Hotel provides a buffet breakfast and an evening hot
food dinner Monday - Thursday. Don’t know how long the food will
interest me, but for now, and for any visitors, the meals (actually they
are small buffet bars) are fine for me.
Back to the reason that I am here....
Last Monday, a week ago yesterday, I had the feeding tube put in during
outpatient surgery. It is an approx. 9' long; 1/3' diameter plastic tube
coming out the top of the stomach, through which I will be able to receive
nourishment, when treatment on the throat prevents me from swallowing.
While it has been very uncomfortable for the past week, I know that it
will become very important during the later treatment periods. (Want to
know just how screwy the human body can be....then explain to me how an
air bubble trapped in the diaphragm can cause an intense pain in my shoulder!
I know that these air bubbles are the cause of my shoulder pain, it just
doesn't seem logical that there would be this connection.)
I have been nursing the feeding tube for the week and it is much better
each day. Today it is an inconvenience, but not really painful. The tube
went in last Monday morning. Just before going into surgery I learned
that they would only release me into the custody of someone who would
drive me home. To my rescue came cousin Eleanor who lives here in Chapel
Hill. Eleanor came over and saw me through the day. She was there when
I needed her. (Thank you, Eleanor!)
Monday afternoon I met with the Radiologist who will head up the radiology
treatment. Nice guy...Dr. Julian Rosenman. He outlined the processes that
I will have to go through and said that full radiation treatment will
start on the 21st. The basic program that we are starting with will be
for 7 weeks; with radiation 5 and 6 days a week. They are starting off
with 70 rads in the right side of the neck and 65 rads in the left side.
(I believe that this translates into rather aggressive treatment with
the radiation.)
Tuesday was at the dentist. Seems that the teeth are very susceptible
during radiation so that they want the teeth to be "perfect"
before starting treatment. Had a crown break off about a year ago and
after a thorough exam, the dentist determined that I needed a new crown,
a small cavity treated, and a good cleaning. Called Tommy Bell, friend,
fraternity brother at Wake and my "dentist" in Raleigh. Tommy
got me in Wednesday afternoon and had the final crown on me Friday morning....plus
took care of the cavity and got me that good cleaning. He was a big help.
Wednesday I met with Dr. Hayes, the hematologist who will head up my chemo
treatment. I like him. Very straightforward and did not sugar coat anything.
Right now, I will get only 3 chemo treatments; on the first day of radiation
(Dec 21st) on the 22nd day and on the 43rd day. Each session will be rather
intense using cysplatin (sp?) as the chemo agent. They are concerning
about nausea....especially on the second, third, and fourth days after
treatment. Got a lot of drugs for nausea...so I am ready...IF....they
are needed. (Doesn't sound like much fun.)
Thursday was more scans and testing. They are double checking everything.
Can’t argue with that.
Friday was back in Raleigh to complete the crown implant in my mouth and
back to Durham for some much needed rest.
Saturday was a good day. Cynthia came up late Saturday and was a very
nice sight for these sore eyes. It was good to see her. Sunday morning,
we were reading the morning newspaper (Durham Herald Sun) when Cynthia
suddenly remarked, "WHAT is your picture doing on the front page
of the paper?"
(Let me explain...) Last weekend when I arrived here; I had brought my
computer from home with me. Well, I forgot the printer cable so went to
the closest place (Circuit City) to see if I could find one. The salesman
only had one type cable....and I thought that it was the right size....but
I later discovered that it wasn't the right one. So, back to Circuit City
to return it. As I go to the service counter, a photographer with the
Herald Sun introduced himself and said that they were working on an article
about return policies for area stores and asked if he could take my picture
for use with the article. I agreed. He photographed me at the counter
with the clerk...and I thought little about it thinking that he must be
taking photos of a lot of people and surely could find a better model
than I. I had forgotten about it until Cynthia saw the photo on the top
of the page on Sunday. That afternoon, she had to leave and return back
to the beach.
Monday, went to Raleigh to have Tommy (dentist) make impressions for a
fluoride tray for my teeth and also got to visit with my sister (Frances)
who was in Raleigh visiting her daughter, Kathryn. Enjoyed visiting with
Frances and Kathryn, and very much enjoyed Kathryn's son, Calvin, and
her daughter, Caroline. Both are just too cute!
Tony Lamm, friend from home, is in town and spent last night here at the
hotel. We had dinner at Outback Steak House, which is next door to the
hotel. Excellent chicken! Tony went with me to today's appointments and
left early in the afternoon to return to the Beach.
Today (Tuesday) went to the radiologist this morning and had another CAT
scan and also had a mask made that I will use during the radiation sessions.
This is to make sure that I am in the exact same position during each
radiation session. They don’t want you to move even the slightest
muscle….guess that the radiation machine is that precise. Again,
hard to argue with being precise. On Friday of this week, we will do some
simulations in the radiation machine to make sure that every detail is
checked and double-checked. The professionalism here is quite impressive.
This afternoon I met with Dr. Couch...the oncologist. Short meeting, just
went over the details of next week and she said that for the first two
weeks of treatment, I should be fine. It is about the third week that
I will start needing assistance...driving, etc. and will start feeling
the effects of the treatment. Realizing that everyone reacts differently,
I don't know exactly what to expect, but will ask for assistance if I
need it.
My plans right now are to go home after the simulation on Friday and
return on Monday morning. Now, these plans are not sealed in stone....right
nothing is sealed for me except taking care of whatever is needed here.
But, it is doubtful (with the after-effects of the chemo on the 21st)
if I can go home over Christmas, so had better get there while I can.
I thank everyone for all for the support that I have received. It is very
humbling. My attitude right now is singular: beat this...and to do that
I have to take each day one-at-a-time. I don't know how I will feel; if
and when I will feel like going out; if and when I will need assistance….I
just don’t know. The truth is, it doesn't worry me. It will be what
it will be....I simply don't have a choice...I will handle it and come
through all of this better for the experience. The last thing I want to
do is add to the situation by worrying about it. They know what they are
doing…so, it is what it is…and that’s it!
That is about it for this update. Hope that this gives each of you a better
understanding of what has happened to date...and what is coming up one
week from today....the start of radiation and chemo.
Again, thank you for your support, your thoughts, and for your prayers.
I do appreciate it.
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