Five Week Check Up: Good News!

Today I had a check up with my lead oncology doctor. Going into the check up, I was not feeling positive about my progress. On the positive side, I’ve continued my weight gain of one pound a week. On the negative side, my mouth has not been healing as quickly as I’d expected. However, I must have set the expectation bar too high as the news Theresa and I received today was very positive.

First, the most encouraging news. After the doctor examined my oral cavity and felt my tongue, he announced that he could not detect the cancerous mass he identified back in November. While a physical exam is not definitive, it is encouraging to hear this news. He also noticed scar tissue was building near the top of my esophagus. To insure I am able to swallow with no restriction, a mechanical stretching of this area will probably be required.

The lymph node lump my oncologist has been monitoring also demonstrated encouraging changes. While the length and width were the same, it is definitely flattening and thus getting smaller. A CT scan and other tests will determine whether a neck dissection will be required to remove the remaining mass. This decision will be made in late February.

The only negative news was the identification of a mild case of thrush. Theresa and I suspected this as the top of my tongue began to turn white last week. This is a very common situation and is treated with medication. Removal of the thrush, which is a yeast infection, will reduce the discomfort I am experiencing inside my mouth.

Overall, this was a very encouraging check up. I was very pleased to hear the doctor say that even if surgery is required to remove the lump in my neck, we have a great chance of “hitting a home run.” Theresa and I interpreted that comment to mean there is a strong possibility of total success. He also noted that my recovery is progressing more quickly than most. So, while I feel frustrated with the pace of healing, I must remain thankful and patient.

February will be busy for me. Next week I will have a swallowing test. If all goes well, I will be cleared to begin shifting my food intake from the PEG tube to my mouth. After twelve weeks without tasting any food, I’m looking forward to a new found appreciation of taste. However, that may not come until my taste buds heal, which could be late this year. Then, the following week I will have a CT scan, which will be key for the check ups scheduled with my ENT physician and oncologist third full week of February.

To sum up, I am cautiously optimistic. Current evidence suggests I will be on the right side of the 50/50 odds I was given just twelve weeks ago. Then again, when God is involved odds don’t really matter, do they.