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!