Feeling better

I have to say that each day that goes by I seem to be getting my energy back and since radiation is over I've really gotten a break from all the doctors. I will be having an MRI done this Friday to see if I have anymore tumors in my pelvis and abdomen region. From every thing I've read, this would be a more common site for them to develop than the neck which is where mine was discovered. I also have several follow up visits next week. The one month visit to the oncologist. I expect this one to be kind of rough because I've lost so much weight. I'm not sure what to do as I'm doing my best but still can't seem to force myself to eat what doesn't taste or smell good. The other two are follow ups with my endocrinologist and ENT specialist. The one I'm really nervous about is the ENT. He's the one that told me I'd have to wait to see after the radiation whether they could do the surgery to improve my voice. Dr. Gerald Berke at UCLA is my doctor and he is the top ranked specialist in the nation on voice disorders so if he says he can't help then I don't know what I'm going to do! I know this seems a little melodramatic but if you could hear me you would understand. I'm just going to HOPE that a collagen injection is still possible. As for the endocrinologist, the last time I visited him he indicated there was something wrong with my calcium levels and that they might have to "move me up" whatever that means. Hypercalcemia is a tumor marker or a sign there are problems with parathyroid glands. I'm wondering if it could be caused by the radiation treatment injuring the parathyroids. This is enough health problems for now, as always thanks for taking the time to read.

Monday, Monday

Well actually it's Tuesday and I didn't get a chance to write this yesterday. Four weeks down and two to go. Yesterdays appointment went fine and I saw the doctor for my weekly visit. Since, it's UCLA the doctor always has medical students with him. The last two appointments It's been fairly clear these are new students still a little wet behind the ears. With my diagnosis sometimes I feel like I've been pulled into an episode of "House". I could hear the group discussing me before they came in the room and the doctor actually told me that they rarely see someone with my condition. This a theme on every doctors visit I have at least initially. My Endocrinologist is also a professor at UCLA and at first he was skeptical of the diagnosis and then after we went over all the images and studies he told me he was going to present me as a case study to his class. It is interesting to see brand new medical students learn but sometimes I feel like I'm being looked at like a specimen.

I was told yesterday that they expect my side effects to get worse and that normally starts about the fourth week and continues until a month or so after I'm done with radiation. This is because I will continue to "cook" for awhile even though the treatments are over. So far they have been mild but my voice has definitely been affected and I'm at whisper level now. The doctor assured me the voice weakness and sore throat are temporary.

On an up note today is the first day of school and Krysta is excited about going back to regular school after our attempt at home schooling last year. I'm excited because this means she will actually leave the house everyday!

That's it for now. For everyone that reads this thank you for taking the time and for Mom, Jeanne, Susan and Lisa, I love you and thank you for your support!