Saturday, February 26, 2011

March 23

Three weeks and 4 days until my next surgery.  We met with the colorectal surgeon on Thursday and did a scope in this office.  He was very pleased with the results of the radiation/chemo treatments of the last two months.  The tumor (we could see it on the screen, gross) is much smaller and less virulent looking.

I had been afraid that he would find that the treatments had done little good, but that wasn't the case and I feel better about it.  I will need to spend 5 days in the hospital and have a temporary ostomy (yuck).  After hearing the description of the surgery, I think I'll just turn my morphine pump up and sleep for those 5 days!

I am feeling terrific and plan to enjoy every day for the next three weeks.

Wolfgang -chef


Saturday, February 19, 2011

Speaking To My Heart

The next week could be difficult for me.  I am just "treading water" waiting for my appointment on Thursday to find out the results of the last two months of radiation and chemo. 

But as always, God is good, and really blessed me with a reading from Open Windows this morning.  It is a prayer that so beautifully and eloquently states how I feel:

"Father, if my cup seems too bitter, help me to remember that it is Your wounded hand that is holding the cup.  Then no cup is too bitter, no water too deep, no burden too heavy but that I am willing to say, 'Thy will be done.'"

In His promises I rest.

Thursday, February 17, 2011

I'M BACK

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.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Each Day

Each day I am feeling a little better!  Yeah!  Can't wait until it is something like normal.  But I am grateful for each day and enjoying every minute of "not having to go for a treatment".

Things are moving right along with the wedding planning.  Kathryn has everything under control and I can't wait until March.

I am taking it easy and may not blog for a while.  I don't know about anyone else but I am looking for some warm weather--enough of this winter!

Juliette Arwen