Just a quick note to let everyone know how I am doing. As of today, I am still cancer free. I have a PET scan about every six months, so that is not too bad. I am, however, having a lot of trouble with my teeth and surrounding mouth area. Because of the radiation around my head and neck, my jaw area is very soft so I have been aggressivley taking steps to take care of my teeth. It has been quite the trip, but it will all be good. I am just thankful for each and every day. Love, hugs, and kisses to you all.

Update

Just wanted to let everyone know I now have a clean bill of health with ALL my docs. My last visit with my ears, nose, and throat doctor went well. He said I do have some abnormal swelling in my throat, but all that is normal with all the radiation I had. He said it can be up to a two year battle with that; however, I am not complaining. I just have to watch when I eat breads and meats...chew A LOT and make sure the pieces are small. If I don't, then it gets caught in my throat. I can live with the little inconviences. I do have a date to get my med port out. I will have that surgery on August 18th, ya!! I have been waiting patiently for that to be removed, so I am happy. Well, not too much more to say. Just wanted to keep you all up-to-date. Love you all!

OK...OK...here is a cancer(free)update on me.....love you Tom and Kate :) I just had a PET scan about two weeks ago and my last visit with my Doc has come back clean. Everything looks good; however, I still have two spots on my lungs, but the spots have not grown, so they don't believe that it is cancerous...they feel it may be scar tissue from my last episode with my blood clot/pulminary ademia. Anyway, I am going to the surgeon next week to set up a day to take out my med port..yah!! I still have to limit my activity cause if I do too much, then I get very weak and have to take at easy for a day, but things are going well. I still have some side effects like no saliva and I still have a hard time swallowing breads and meats, but I'm good. I have put on a couple of pounds, so i am where I should be. So, to all my dear friends and family that want to know how I am doing....things are going well and I thank you all for the love and prayers that you gave me and still continue to give. I love you all and am so thankful for each and everyone of you. Sending hugs and kisses your way. LOVE YOU

Well another month has just flown by....where does the time go? Anyway, just to bring you all up to speed. Things have been going a lot better. The physical Therapy really seems to be helping. My swelling and pain have stayed at a minimum for some time, and I only hope that keeps improving. So far, so good. Still no evidence of disease. I had my port cleaned out last week and everything looks good. I may have to keep my port in for many more months, but I guess it isn't too bad. It doesn't really bother me. I have been getting sick spells up and down for the last couple of weeks, but I have really been working on getting our other house ready for listing so I MAY be over doing it, just a little. We want to get it on the market before we leave for Alaska. Yes, Alaska....Patti and I really need this vacation and are looking so forward to spening a fantastic time with my family. With me coming down with cancer, it really put a halt to our remodeling project, so we have been kicking it into high gear to finish before we leave. Patti does try to keep me in check when it comes to overdoing it, but once we get the house done, I can really start to relax. I guess, not too much more to inform you all about. As I said before, things are looking good and they will continue to improve. I thank all my friends and family that have been there throughout this whole ordeal. You all are the greatest and I love each and everyone of you. Thanks for all that you have done. Love and Kisses

Well...what to say. I started physical therapy on my neck (for my lymph nodes); however, there wasn't much that could be done at this point until the pain subsides somewhat. They tried to do a massage, but I just had too much of a hard time with the pain, so they showed my what needs to be done and Patti can massage my neck. The problem is my neck and shoulder muscles have deteriorated a little from the radiation) and I need to get those areas improved (that physical therapy starts next week)then the massages for my neck can start again and that way the swelling will be much less. I do use an electrode zapper that I bought from Vegas last year (Awsome time with my family...but thats a whole other story). It has really helped. I have had some boughts of sickness lately...I think I just overdo it and my body just can't do what it used to, but I am so thankful for what I do have. Well, I will keep you all posted of any new developments. Within a month, Patti and I will be floating the waves of Alaska....and spending some fabulous time with family. I love you all and send big hugs to each and every one of you. Thank you all again for everything that you did for us this past year. Patti and I are so blessed to have you all in our lives. Love to all!!

Hello All! Thought I would bring you up to speed on my progress...well, had another episode with the pain and swelling in the neck. Went back to my radiologist and she has now put me back on medication for the pain and has set me up with physical therapy. Apparently the radiation has weakend my neck muscles. All this swelling is a side-effect of the radiation and I am looking at having episodes of pain and swelling for up to two years. Most anything can bring an onset, so I have to watch what I do. And anyone that knows me, knows that is really hard. Next week starts my physical therapy, so I will try and update everyone as much as possible. Love and Hugs to all!

Just an update....Went to my ears, nose, and throat doc and he did a very thorough exam and gave me a big thumbs up. Great News! My oncologist still wants to leave in my med port for a little while longer, so the surgeon that put it in checked me out to make sure the med port wasn't causing any of the neck issues, and he also gave me a thumbs up, so everything looks good. Kinda sucks I have to keep in the port, but I am so thankful everything is looking up. Love to all and in just a very short time I will be sailing through Alaska with my wonderful family. Can't wait. Hugs and kisses to all.