After a two week respite, I am feeling much better and ready to "blog" again! I've spent these two weeks resting, walking, and gaining strength. I must be feeling better because I actually tackled some dusting this morning. You have to understand that I HATE to dust, but my bedroom furniture was way past the "writing your name" stage. Don't get me wrong, I didn't do the whole house, but hey, every little bit counts. And I even turned on the robot to clean the kitchen and dining room floors. Now that is energy!
Now after a 30 minute walk around the pool, down the porch, along the driveway, I'm ready to sit down. Since I haven't been adding poison to my system, I've had a chance to evaluate the effects of my surgeries. My mouth looks better than it feels! After 4 months, the swelling has just about gone down inside my mouth. But the nerve damage causes a constant tingling. But I can eat, drink (with a straw), and talk!
The modified radical dissection has gone remarkably well. The two long incisions are not very noticeable and I have had no problems with edema. In fact, no swelling at all. The surgeon insisted that I keep the drain tube in my neck for 15 days and evidently that was sufficient to drain everything and nothing else has collected. All that is the good part; on the other hand my left arm, shoulder, and chest are still quite painful and just weird. I am exercising my arm and think it is making progress. My left ear is still partially numb and the rest is just sore. My shaved hair is SLOWLY growing back, but it would still be a good basis for a Mohawk.
Next Thursday, the 24th, I have an appointment with the colon surgeon. I will get the results on the effects of my treatments and set a surgery date. Oh well, back to the real world.
