A Great Day In Kansas City

Today the temperature reached the upper 70’s in Kansas City. The great weather, a good appointment with my ENT and a visit to American Century to celebrate the launch of a new web site made this one of the best days I’ve had in a very long time. Yes, my spirits are high, and that feels great.

My health continued to improve over the past week. I am beginning to feel more energy and I’m gaining confidence to participate in life events again. My tongue was the big winner this past week. The white on my tongue went away the middle of last week, and I no longer have stinging sensations on my tongue. My tongue looks and feels new. Probably because it is. The process of replacing radiation damaged cells with new cells is nearing completion. Movement is also better, but still weak on the right side. However, the additional movement makes it easier for me to pronounce words. Several people have commented that I am sounding more and more like myself. Hooray!

The visit to my ENT was also positive. He provided me with some medication to manage dry mouth. This drug will stimulate my salivary glands to produce the moisture my mouth needs to be healthy. I still have three to five months for my salivary glands to repair themselves. However, I’ve been told not to expect my mouth to ever again be as moist as it was before radiation, but I’m still hopeful to be an exception to the rule.

My ENT referred me to a GI doctor to have my throat stretched. As I mentioned last week, I’m now able to drink fluids. However, I am still unable to swallow anything more dense than the consistency of a thick fruit juice. Scar tissue built up from the radiation treatment blocks my ability to swallow in a normal fashion. I will undergo a series of treatments to mechanically stretch the scar tissue, which will promote a normal swallow. Some patients are set after this series of sessions, while others must schedule regular "maintenance" sessions a few times a year.

My visit with the ENT doctor closed with him taking a sample of my enlarged lymph node. Unlike the event in Pittsburgh where the three lab technicians performed fine needle aspiration on my neck without anesthesia, I received treatment to deaden the area before the fine needles were inserted to pull out samples of the mass in my neck. If you are ever given the option --- insist the area is deadened first. Much easier! ;-) I will know early next week if there are any remaining cancer cells. If so, I will have surgery. If not, it will be just one more piece of evidence pointing toward the successful defeat of the cancer that invaded my body.

Visiting American Century Investments and seeing my team members and business partners was uplifting. I tried to say a few words to the group, but couldn’t. Theresa stepped in when I found it difficult to speak. I tear up when I speak about my condition or thank people for the support they have provided me. I have spent so much of my life giving and now that I’m on the receiving end it is very humbling and touching. The eCommerce team and our IT business partners are such great people. I can hardly wait to once again work with them daily to meet the business challenges with which we are faced.

Next week I will report the results of the biopsy and hopefully have more information about stretching my throat. I can’t tell you how anxious I am to be able to eat food by my mouth again. There are way too many food commercials on TV. When even the fast food spots look good, you know its been too long since your last normal meal… 119 days… not that I’m counting. ;-)