Saturday, April 21, 2012

Walking the line

Our weekly visit with Dr. P. went well with lots of smiles and thumbs up!

All vitals were good with B/P 145/78 being the lowest it’s been since we started.

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Many people suffer from ‘white coat syndrome’ - feeling of anxiety that elevates their blood pressure in a doctor’s office or hospital setting.

 

The nutritionist seemed pleased and not concerned about any weight loss (8 lbs. in total) One of the biggest fears that we’ve had up until this point was the possibility of a feeding tube that many patients have as a last resort. The Cowboy especially didn’t want to have to go through that procedure and the complications that could result. I agreed but I am also of the opinion that whatever he needs to get the nutrition that his body needs should not be overlooked. At first I thought that it was his male ego getting in the way but male or female I can understand the rationale behind the thinking. Now that he has come this far we doubt that will even be considered – nor would we agree to it.

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Another side effect that we were cautioned about was - His saliva has become very thick and sticky and while the old standby of salt/baking soda swishes help, he’s also been taking Robitussin DM that assists in thinning and breaking it up. He continues to sleep a lot and is comfortable sleeping sitting up with a bunch of pillows behind him to help prevent the mucous from choking him.

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His voice is still a strained whisper and we’re not sure at this point what the final result will be. His voice box will remain intact but the muscles around it may be affected to some extent from the radiation. The experts here have been telling him that if he is faithful and does his exercises he will be back to singing just like Johnny Cash.

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We are counting down in the single digits now. Last chemo treatment is Tuesday and radiation will be over on Thursday. We’ve been warned that just because the treatments will be over doesn’t mean that the side effects will immediately go away so we know we still have a ways to go.

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Thank You for joining us and all of your wonderful support with love and prayers. We are truly blessed and extremely grateful.

5 comments:

  1. My skin was burned and raw after radiation treatments for breast cancer. But after awhile. it healed and is normal. There is some thickening of the tissue below the skin however. Small thing, considering the alternative.

    Cowboys voice willbe as sweet even if it is just as soft whisper.

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  2. I'm so happy for you and Cowboy, Sharon. You have been such troopers through this whole ordeal. Closing in on the end of treatments must be very rewarding, and a lot of credit goes to you for keeping him so healthy.

    My Dad had throat cancer in the 1940s--he must have been in his late 30s, early 40s. The treatment at that time was to remove the voice box and vocal cords, and he had a permanent tracheotomy. I never heard him speak, but he whispered, and for people who couldn't understand him, he always carried a pad and pencil. My Mom told me that he had the opportunity to learn to speak from the diaphragm, but decided that he'd stick with the whisper. As children, we, without knowing it, learned to lip read. He passed away in 1979 from a totally unrelated illness.

    Again, I couldn't be happier for you and Cowboy.

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  3. So glad you are nearing the end of treatment and a feeding tube will not be necessary. If he can sing like Johnny Cash, that's a good thing - maybe he can cut a record deal!! God Bless.

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  4. All for one and one for all.
    My brother and My friend.
    What fun we have.
    The time we share.
    Brothers 'til the end.

    For there is no friend like a sister, in calm or stormy weather, to cheer one on the tedious way, to fetch one if one goes astray, to lift one if one totters down, to strengthen whilst one stands.

    Always and Forever,
    KLM

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  5. Thank you for everything. God bless.

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