Update

Hi Folks,

Yesterday, May 29th, was 5 weeks post treatment and the best I've felt in a very long time   I've had a few small steps backward here and again but I've definitely turned the corner and there are more steps forward than backward these days.

I went back to work part time (11-3pm) late last week and it's great to have some normalcy back in my life. The distraction is definitely welcome. I'm blessed that I enjoy my work and I really missed it. My boss and everyone else is very glad I'm back. 

While I still get most of my nutrition through the PEG, I started mixing in soft foods a little over a week ago and solid foods over the Memorial Day weekend (Believe it or not.... pigs in a blanket with macaroni salad, wonton soup and pad thai from the Thai place I love, fish in mushroom sauce with rice and pizza!) and I'm able to swallow my meds again  For whatever reason I never lost my taste buds during treatments (Maybe they had seperation anxiety?). Some things are a little "off" but I'd say I have better than 95% of my taste. Sweets and cold stuff hurt like hell though (So I can taste ice cream but it hurts too much to eat it!... I bet you can taste the irony in that! ~lol~). Saliva is a goner for the most part but I'm beginning to have small periods of time where I seem to have a little saliva production. I lost 60 pounds since last fall before my heart attack (35 from the beginning of treatment). I'm downright skinny now! I haven't weighed this (167) since high school. I hope to get back to the gym and put on some muscle as I lost most of it during treatment. On the positive side, due to the weight loss, I no longer have to take my BP med. My bloodwork is excellent and in fact, this is the first time since I can remember that my cholesterol and triglycerides are normal

The side effects from the surgery are still troubling as my left shoulder has been greatly compromised. It's VERY weak and I'm not seeing much progress. The muscles in my neck are still pretty stiff but the stretching exercises help. I'm doing well with swallowing and my jaw although there is still an area in the back of my throat where they did a biopsy (and left a large divot) where food tends to get caught. Water is absolutely necessary while eating to help it go down. My throat feels fine but my mouth and tongue are still very sore and there's swelling to deal with as well. I'm still on pain meds but using smaller doses spread farther apart. Fatigue is the biggest issue but as I heal, I'm beginning to sleep better at nights (finally able to sleep in my bed!) and sleep is vital to recovery. 

I have a long way to go and it's been and will be very challenging, but overall, considering what I just went through and how I felt 5 weeks ago, I'm doing well.

Thank you all for your support, encouragement and knowledge. This site truly is and will continue to be a blessing and positive factor in helping Marcia and I navigate this journey we call cancer (Or in my case "Jack"). 

"T"