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10/05/07  ^top^

 Well, that appointment took awhile... didn't it!

The doc said that I had not healed enough from radiation for the TEP.  He set an appt for 10/15/07 to do that.  I will also follow up with my radiologist on that day.

Before that, I will have a CT Scan on 10/09.  I will also see speech pathology on that day for a routine exam.  There is not much they can do until I get the TEP.

I was able to get back out for more golf on 9/28... and shot even higher, but I hit the ball better.  Then I played again on 9/30 in a scramble and I hit the ball better still (comparatively).  I was not sure how I would hold up after rounds so close together, and I was plenty tired, but fortunately it was overcast for most of 9/30 and the temperature stayed down.

09/10/07  ^top^

 At this moment, I am at MDACC waiting to see the surgeon.  Hopefully, he will tell me when we can do the TEP.

I was able to play my first round of golf since surgery on August 31st (see pics).  I had a great time, but my score was not the reason (see pics).  It was so good to be back outside, doing something that I loved with good friends.  I could not make a full shoulder turn, so it was difficult to hit the ball well, but I still enjoyed it.

My radiation burns are about 90% healed.  I am still off of the pain medicine.  Now, if I could just get my voice back...

08/31/07  ^top^

 It's been two weeks since my radiation ended.  The affected area continues to heal and is at about 70%.  I expect it to be completely healed in another week.  That will be just in time for my next appointment with the surgeon.

I am back in the office full time, and I am feeling a little better each day.  It feels good to get back in the swing of things.  It comes none too soon, as we lost our salesman in July and sales have really suffered for the last 2 months.  I am proud of my staff for tightening their belts and committing to do whatever it takes to help get things back on track.  Look out!

I am also pleased that I have been able to replace the narcotic pain killer, Lortab, with Excedrin the past few days.  This is an additional indication of healing.

I hope to play my first round of golf soon.  If not Friday, 8/31, then Monday, 9/3 (Labor Day).  I am anxious to see how that goes.

08/15/07  ^top^

 Well, I may have spoken too soon.  As last week progressed, my skin in the radiation area got progressively worse.  All of the medical staff agree that, though severe,  it is not unexpected nor is it alarming.  Still, it is very painful.  The skin has broken down so far that I can make my neck start bleeding simply by looking at the ceiling.

The good news is that I only have 3 short radiation treatments left!  My last one is Friday, 08/17/07 at 2:30pm.  After that, they warn me that my neck may actually get worse next week even though I will be through with radiation.   It should begin healing by September 1st.  If all goes well, they may punch the TEP (hole for my speech prosthesis between my food and air pipes) as soon as September 15th.  A couple of days later, I would receive my prosthesis and begin speaking without the electrolarynx.  However, this could be delayed if I do not heal quickly.

I am having my feeding tube examined tomorrow for a possible infection.  It has been in long enough that they can remove it whenever they wish, though they would like to leave it in until I am healed from the radiation.  At this point, I am taking all of my food by mouth.  I only use the tube for some medicine and even that, if I had to, I can take by mouth.

08/08/07  ^top^

 Only 10 days of radiation left!  Both the surgeon and the radiologist think that I am coming through it very well.

I have to agree.  I have seen others who started around the same time that I did who are having a hard time with fatigue and weight loss.  I feel some fatigue, but I have actually gained 4 pounds during the last month!  Keeping your weight up is crucial to healing, so they are very happy with that.

Although the skin around my stoma is breaking down, I have seen others with much more severe damage.

I believe this is due, in no small part, to your prayers.  Please keep it up a while longer.

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