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.

Hi All...went to see my oncologist today. Set me up with another PET scan in three months, but so far he feels everything is going good and he agrees that the last scan I had didn't show cancer and that the spots are more geared towards inflamation. I will be going to see my ears, nose, and throat specialist this week so he can check on my neck issues. I am still having pain and some swelling, so they want to keep an eye on those issues. They all do feel it is just side-effects from radiation. Haven't been feeling too hot lately...I think I overdue it, but I really want to get our "flipper" on the market. The house is really coming along and working on it makes me feel somewhat normal again. Even though it does wear me out...I love doing it. Patti does get on me about overdoing it, but I just roll my eyes (behind her back, of course!!) and say "yes, dear, you are right"

Hope everyone had a wonderful Easter...I certainly did. Miss you all and am so thankful for all my wonderful friends and family. Take care and I'll keep you posted on my progress. Love and kisses to you all.

To all my dedicated followers...I apologize for not keeping up-to-date on my blogs. I will try much harder to keep you all current. As for the last couple weeks, I did have somewhat of a little scare. I had another CAT scan (my neck and lungs) because I was having such a hard time with all the pain and swelling in my neck and they wanted to double-check from the last scan where they found a spot. Anyway, the scan came back with MORE spots on my lung, so they set me up with a PET scan because they wanted to see if the spots were cancer. Of course, I had to wait almost a week before I got the news that they are pretty confident the spots are inflamation and not cancer (three radialogist got together and looked over the scan)They did not want to do a biopsy of my lung because it is such an evasive surgery. So it was a relief; however, the docs are still going to keep an eye on my lungs just to be safe. As for the pain and swelling in my neck, well I have been informed it is definetly side-effects from all the radiation. I am on several different medications to control the pain and swelling and hopefully within the next couple weeks I'll be back to normal; however, it has been a LONG process and I am now just able to turn my head somewhat and the swelling has subsided enough I don't look like FAT ALBERT everyday. Normally, when swelling is a side-effect of radiation, they will put a tightening "brace" on to control the swelling; however, putting one of those on around a person's neck probably isn't the best solution for swelling.....SUFFOCATION!! So medication is the alternative; however, Patti has informed the docs that if I don't start behaving myself she will request the "brace" around my neck. Boy, I sure do love my wife and I am so glad she is watching out for my best interests. HA HA Anyway, Patti and I want to send our love and thanks to all of you that have been there for us through this whole ordeal. We love you all very much and will never be able to thank you all enough for everything that you have done. The love and prayers have meant so much....we are lucky to know you. Sending out hugs and kisses to all.

Well went to see the doc on Monday cause I had a CAT scan to look at my lungs last week and there was another little spot on my lung, so the docs want to do another CAT scan in a couple weeks. At this point they are not too concerned. They do not think that it's cancer, but they want to be sure. I did; however, have quite the scare on Saturday morning. I woke up and looked like FAT ALBERT. My neck was as big as my head, but as the day went on, the swelling went down. The next morning it was more of the same, but when I went in to see the docs on Monday, I was informed this was normal with the type of radiation I had. Oh well...just another strange malfunction that my body seems to be going through. Other than the surprises, I am doing very well. I have a positive attitude and am so grateful for all the prayers, well wishes, and love throughout this whole ordeal. Love you all and I am so thankful for each and everyone of you. Love to all.

Well, went to the docs because I had not been feeling well, but they informed me that the Chemo I was on was the strongest treatment (along with the radiation)and all that has kinda turned my body upside down. I won't get into too much what has been going on, but Patti teases me about it. I understand the whole....roll down the car window in the middle of winter and throw off the covers at night in a matter of minutes. Anyway, I have sympathy for all the ladies out there. I do believe I have said enough...too much info. Anyway, I have a CAT scan next week on my chest and I'll see the docs again the first week of March to get my results. Hopefully, everything goes well and the blood clot issues are getting better. Well, when I find out more, I'll let you all know. Love to all!

Hello All..just wanted to let everyone know I am N.E.D.(No Evidence of Disease)Talked with the docs yesterday and my scans look good. I still have a little edima around the jaw line and chin; however, that is consistant with residual radiation. Both my oncologist and radiologist are VERY pleased with the results. I still have some issues with blood clotting; however, they are working around all of that. My oncologist feels that my last episode with the whole ambulance ride and the pulmonary edima are consistant with me actually throwing a blood clot into the lung..but they are going to run more tests at the end of the month to see if my lungs are clearing any. If so, then it is some type of inflamation which has to do with pulmonary edima, but if it doesn't get better, or it seems to get bigger, or if I have ANY type of issues, then they are going to take action at that time. My doctors want me to keep the med port in for just a little while longer; however, I do get to have my feeding tube removed. Good thing, I am sick of this dangly tube that always gets in the way. Well I just wanted to give everyone the good news. I am so thankful for all the friends and family members that were there for me and my family and for all the wonderful prayers. Love you all and Matt is back...BEWARE..you never know what I will do next. Hugs and kisses to everyone