Long Overdue Update

Well, it's been a little over two months since my return to work in Phoenix.
Needless to say my return was just as touching as my send-off when I left in July 2007. Everyone was excited to see me and some expressed their disbelief that I was back "So soon"! Everyone in management couldn't have been nicer in making my transition back to the workplace as smooth and easy as possible. They all made sure that I didn't overexert myself or try to take on to much to soon.
I must admit that in the first few weeks, it took all I had just to make it through an eight hour day. What exhausted me most was breathing and talking, because of my trach being capped so that I could speak. But I learned how to manage around that and it has gotten much better.
Shortly after arriving back in Arizona, I had an appointment with my Oncologst Dr. Kukunoor,
who wanted me to have a PETScan, so we had one scheduled at the end of my appointment. The appointment with Dr. Kukunoor was pretty routine, more of a recap of what I went through back in Pittsburgh to bring him up to speed. However, he did bring up his wanting me to have a neck disection and seemed surprised that the Dr.'s back in Pittsburgh did not do one. I told Dr. Kukunoor that my ENT, Dr. Straka back in Pittsburgh said there was a chance that surgery would be required after the radiation, but after my PETScan in January, he apparently didn't see the need for one. I told Dr. Kukunoor that I would be seeing Dr. Headley and that I would speak with him about it.
Prior to seeing Dr. Kukunoor I was taken to the area where Chemo is adminsitered and an attempt was made to draw blood through my port, to which there was no return. After trying to clear the port it was determined that it was clogged and the nurse said she was going to order a port study and that if they couldn't clear the port than it would have to be removed.
About two weeks later on a Friday I received a call to schedule the port study, so it was set up for the following Monday at 10:30 a.m. It was a short study, done while I was on the operating table. It was determined that it was curled and the injecton was clogged from going through so they commenced the procedure to remove it and I was out of the operating room about 10 minutes later! Recovery took a couple of hours for the sedation to wear off and then I was home by 3:00 p.m.
Well, the next week I saw Dr. Headley and he did his usual Endoscopy and basic examination and then dropped a bomb on me and told me that he was going to be retiring in the next couple of months. Well, with that news I completely forgot to mention the neck dissection to him! He did want to see me in another six weeks so I made it a point to remember the neck dissection for that appointment.
My next appointmet with Dr. Headley started again with the Endoscopy and Dr. Headley said he wanted me to have sleep study done with my trach capped. He had asked me if I slept with the trach capped and I told him no, that it was easier to breath with the uncapped one in. I then mentioned the neck dissection to him and Dr. Headley said that there was a lot of controversy about neck dissections. I then told him of the differences between Dr's Baliban, Straka and Kukunoor and he then did a 180 on me and told me that he wanted me to think about it. I said, "What is there for me to think about? I'm no Dr. you either tell me I need it or I don't!" He then went into a dialogue of how it isn't an exact science and no one knows for sure and blah blah blah, the usual stuff you get from Dr's. Dr. Headley then said he was going to refer me to a new ENT Dr. James Milligan, for the sleep study and futher discussion about the neck dissection. Dr. Headley did say that if he were to have a neck dissection done, he would want Dr. Milligan to do it because of his experience with these types of operations. So I have an apointement to see Dr. Milligan on May 28th.
A week after having my port removed I contacted Dr. Kukunoor's office about having an order written to have my "G" tube removed, as I had mentioned that to the surgeon while I was on the table having my port removed, and she said she would've been happy to do it, but she needed to have an order for it. Since I hadn't been usng it I thought I might as well have that taken out as well. So the order was written and exactly a week after having the port removed I had my stomach feeding tube removed. This was little quicker and I was able to leave within 30 minutes of the procedure being completed and it now abot 75% healed. It heals from the inside out.
So all I have now is the trach tube to be removed and hopfully that will be soon, maybe by my first anniversary of the start of this journey.
All in all progress has been good and steady. My stamina has gotten much better since returning to a full work schedule. My sleep is back to a regular 8 hrs instead of the 10 to 12 I was requiring when I first returned to work, although every once a while I require a little more sleep and yesterday I even went to the YMCA for a light workout! I did 30 minutes on the Lifefitness stationary bike and hit about 6 machines with 3 set workouts on each machine. It was a good feeling to exercise again and I look forward to going again. I even shot a little basketball as the court was completely empty so I walked between baskets sooting layups and ran the full-court once but that didn't go over to well. Too early for that yet!
I also joined the summer bowling league and will begin bowling on May 13th, which was part of my reason for joing the "Y". I need to get my legs built up for bowling but my overall body tone as well!
My next PETScan is scheduled for Aug 28th, unless something crops up and warrants moving that up earlier.
I'll be back in Pittsburgh June 5th through Jun 13th to visit Dad and hopefully play some golf.
And then I plan on being back in August for the Polish Falcons National Golf Tournament!
That's it for now. Please accept my apologies for not updating my blog sooner and for the length of this update!
Tom

Phoenix Bound

Well, after seeing my Radiologist Dr. Scicutella on Thursday, I was given the okay to return to work in Phoenix. Although, Dr. Scicutella did say that the chance for a reccurence was high, and that I would have to monitored closely by my ENT and other Dr.'s out there. The first two years are the most critical and then after 5 years if I am still clean, then I would be considered out of the woods! So there is still a long road to tow, but at least I'm getting started to being back on track to resume a normal a life as possible after going through what I have.
So, Friday and Saturday were spent packing things up, although I'm not taking that much with me, just the bare essentials.
Sunday was spent relaxing at my sister Cathy's home with her family. We had an early afternoon dinner in which we enjoyed homemade stuffed cabbage, mashed potatoes and pumpernickel bread. Cathy provided a "Good Luck Tom" cake for dessert and presented me with a card and some departing gifts. We then went bowling for a few games and had an overall enjoyable day.
Today, Tuesday, Dad and I will depart for Phoenix in about an hour. We plan to make it to the west side of St. Louis today and hope to be in Phoenix by Friday. I report to work on Monday the 25th, one day before my 48th Birthday.
So again to everyone who sent their prayers and blessings, please continue to do so and Thanks so much much for all the support!
God Bless all of you!

"Benign" is the word of the day!

Well, the results of last weeks biopsy were reviewed today with E.N.T. Dr. Matthew Straka and I'm happy to say that everything came back as benign!
There is still some swelling in the neck area which will require follow-ups, but all in all, I've been given a clean bill of health! Dr. Straka okayed me to return to Phoenix so that I may return to work, so now I just have one more appointment on the 14th of February with Dr. Sciccutella and
hope to be back to work before my 48th birthday which is February 26th!
Again, I must give a huge "Thank You" to everyone who has said prayers, sent prayer cards adding my name to prayer lists of the ill and just encouraged me along this journey. That has been a huge part of my success so far and hopefully will continue to be.
God Bless all of you!

Follow-up with the ENT

Today, I had my follow-up appointment with Ear, Nose & Throat Specialist Dr. Matthew Straka. Overall he was pleased with the findings of the PetScan and in concurrence with Dr. Baliban's findings. He was unable to justify grounds for a neck disection at this time, however, he does want to do a biopsy on the back tongue area just to prove the findings of the PetScan. Dr. Straka said the PetScan did indicate some activity near the trach and attributes that to both the trach itself and the effects of radiation but he just wants to be sure, and I want to be sure, so I gave him the green light to get it scheduled. Surgery is scheduled for sometime Tuesday, Jan 29th and it will be an outpatient procedure, performed at Sewickley Valley Hospital.
Immediately leaving Dr. Straka's office we proceeded to Heritage Valley Health Center for the necessary blood work, chest X-rays and EKG, so that I can have a dedicated CatScan on my neck area, now scheduled for 3:15 p.m. tomorrow the 24th of January. After that it will be the procedure on Tuesday and then we will have to wait, yet again, for the results from the pathologist on the biopsy. Stay tuned for further updates as warranted!
Thanks and God Bless!

The results are in!

Well, after going for my PetScan last Thursday, my follow-up to discuss the results with Oncologist Dr. Baliban was today and I'd like to say that the PetScan showed no sign of cancer!!!!!
I still have another appointment with the ENT Dr. Straka set for next Wednesday. He will give his opinion on the PetScan results and decide if there is a need for surgery or not.
Based on what Dr. Baliban told me, I don't think there will be a need for surgery, but we'll wait and see!
Dr. Baliban said I was clear to return to work as far as he was concerned, but again we'll see what Dr. Straka says. I still have the trach and stomach tube and am only eating minimal amounts of food and liquids as swallowing is still somewhat difficult.
Dr. Straka should make a determination about the trach tube on Wednesday as to how much longer that will be needed and the stomach tubes removal will be based solely on me and how my food intake is proceeding.
So good news so far and it looks like everyone's prayers for me are paying off and I am more appreciative of that than any of you will ever know!
God Bless and watch for my next update in about a week!
Love to everyone,
Tom

Update finally!

First off, let me apologize for not updating my blog. November was a tough month and as for December I have no excuses whatsoever!
Radiation ended for me on December 6th and since then it has all been about waiting, waiting for the swelling to go down from the radiation and whatever other side effects to return to normal so a PetScan can be performed sometime in mid January to see if the cancer ha been eradicated.
I'm still battling thrush in my mouth and still am unable to take any food or liquid by mouth so all nutrition is being administered through the feeding tube. The trach is still in place as well and constant congestion in that makes for sleepless nights at times.
Other than that all is well and I'd like to wish all my relatives, friends and co-workers and a very
Blesses Christmas Season with wishes for Health and Happiness in 2008!
God Bless all of you!

Back in the saddle again

Well, after spending all of last week Mon thru Saturday in Sewickley Valley Hospital with a case of acute mucousitis, I'm now back to my normal routine of daily radiation.

The onset of the mucousitis actually started the weekend before my admission to the hospital. What I thought was just side effects from the radiation turned out to be much more. It started with difficulty in swallowing both liquids and solids, and the swelling of my tongue. As the weekend progressed it had gotten to the point that I could barely open my mouth to brush my teeth or insert a spoon with a small amount of applesauce on it. My tongue had swollen to the point that the inside ring of my lower teeth actually made an impression into the sides of my tongue!

When I went for my treatment on the following Monday, the receptionist greeted me and asked, as she always does, how was I feeling? I gave her a thumbs down as I was now unable to speak and went to the changing room. Kelly the nurse came and told me that I was going to see Dr. Sciccutella first before receiving treatment, and this was reversed as to how it usually went. After a brief examination by Dr. Sciccutella, she said she was going to send me upstairs immediately to see the Oncologist, Dr. Baliban for further evaluation as she felt I needed to be in the hospital.

Dr. Baliban, after examining me, concurred with Dr. Sciccutella and got the process rolling. Once all the paperwork was completed, we departed immediately for the hospital. Incidentally my weight had dropped eight pounds from Monday to Monday but I suspect most of that came off during the weekend.

The hospital admission process went very smoothly and by 11:45 A.M. I was in my hospital garb and in bed.

During the week I was pumped up with the usual fluids along with antibiotics and after blood work was done I even received a two unit blood transfusion.
By Wednesday round the clock tube feedings had commenced, a one hour drip feeding every four hours, so again there was no rest for the weary. The feedings occurred at 6:00 a.m. 10:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. 10:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m. Between the hour that it took to administer the food to the time it took to set up and take down and the time I had to remain in an upright position I would average about 2 hours sleep in between feedings. Mind you also that the nurses were not always punctual about the times. Sometime they would start a feeding maybe 20 to 30 minutes late, but the next one would start right on schedule!

By Thursday I was able to take some liquids and soft foods through my mouth and also was able to brush my teeth with much less pain then when I had arrived.
I was given shots for pain and that allowed me to get some much needed sleep.
Dr. Sherry examined me at the hospital and said I had chemical burns from the chemo in the
back of my throat along with thrush on my tongue.
All in all the care I received in the hospital was excellent. They did a great job making me feel as comfortable as possible and for that I am grateful to the nursing staff!

Chemo is now on hold until next Wednesday and although I an able to swallow I am still taking the liquid nutrition by the feeding tube to make sure I don't lose any more weight. I can eat some solid foods but in very small amounts, certainly not enough to maintain my weight. I'm also able to speak although it is not my normal voice and that is probably because of the swelling in my throat which probably won't go away totally for a couple of months.
That's it for now, day 16 of 35 was completed today of the radiation so I am almost halfway home.

Thanks to each and every one of you for your thoughts and prayers and may God Bless each of you and keep you in good health!