It's Definitive!

Well, several months have passed again since my last update, and my how time flys! Not much has changed since then except that I finally got a definitive ruling on my pending neck dissection.
After an appointment in Pennsylvania with my ENT Dr. Straka, we discussed the neck dissection that Dr. Kukunoor in Phoenix keeps pushing for. Dr. Straka felt that a neck dissection at this point in time would not be beneficial for the following reasons: too much time has passed since the end of Radiation in December ; and the neck dissection would not get to where the original tumor was located which was in the base of my tongue.
Dr. Straka referred me to another ENT in Phoenix who is affiliated with the Mayo Clinic, Dr. Michael Hinni, in order to get a second opinion. This after I advised Dr. Straka of my decision to terminate my short lived relationship with Dr. John Milligan, another ENT in Phoenix because of my dissatisfaction with his office practices.
I contacted the Mayo Clinic in early June and made my appointement to see Dr. Hinni, which was set for July 17, 2008. The Mayo Clinic requested the slide of my Biopsy that was performed in January along with my most recent PetScan results and other medical records that Dr.traka forwarded out to them without delay. The initial meeting with Dr. Hinni included a preliminary visit with his assistant which covered the most basic information along with a series of questions regarding my current status. Dr. Hinni then made his appearance and did a more thorough examination of my mouth and neck including another Endoscopy of my throat. He had already reviewed my PetScan and had it displayed on a laptop computer that was in the office, and it was quite interesting to see that display. Dr. Hinni recommended that I get another CatScan with contrast dye in order to overlay that onthe PetScan. He went on to explain that, that enable him to see more when they overlay the two, so a CatScan was scheduled for the following Monday July 21st again at the Mayo Clinic. A follow-up appointment was tentatively set for August 5th as Dr. Hinni was going out of town, however if need be an earlier appointment would be made if the CatScan revealed something that required immediate attention. That did not materialize!
So, yesterday August 5th I saw Dr. Hinni and my meeting with him lasted no more than 5 minutes. Dr. Hinni said he saw no revelation of cancer and concurred with Dr. Straka that a neck dissection at this time would not be beneficial, mostly due to the amount of time that had elapsed since the end of radiation. He encouraged close monitoring for the next several years with regualr PetScans and other tests and said he would be more than happy to offer his services if I wished. I feel very confident in Dr. Hinni and as long as I remain in Phoenix, he will be my go to ENT and I will continue to retain Dr. Straka in Pittsburgh for when I return home either for short stays or hopefully permanently.
Dr. Straka in June did reduce my trach tube from a #8 to a #6 and will hopefully reduce it again from a #6 to a #4 next week when I see him on Wednesday August 13th. Dr. Milligan wanted to go straight from a #8 to a #4 which Dr. Straka was against as he wanted to take smaller steps in this process. Just another reason for my decision to dismiss Dr. Milligan.
My most recent photo is from a long weekend I took in June when I traveled to Durango, to spend some time with my sister, Teresa and her family, who were on a two week vacation taveling the Southwest. We were on a narrow gauge train ride from Silverton, Colorado back down to Durango when Teresa snapped the picture. We had a great visit but the time passed way to quickly, but it was nice to get out and about!
I leave for a 12 day vacation back to Pittsburgh this coming Saturday and look forward to spending time with my Dad and seeing all my old friends from the 'Burgh!
So until my next update, "Thanks" to everyone who continues to keep me in their thoughts and in their prayers. As always, I appreciate you very much!