The Latest

Well, having returned from a fabulous vacation back in Pittsburgh from August 5th through August 20th and seeing both my dentist and ENT Dr. Straka, here is the latest update.
My dentist appointement with Dr. Edward J. Dengel went fine, with no signs of cavities and or decay of any kind. This is important as my condition of "Dry Mouth" can promote bacteria and cause numerous problems if not taken care of daily. This include flossing, cleansing with a water pik and the ususal brushing of the teeth, gums and tongue. X-rays also showed no signs of any imminent problems.
My appointment with Dr. Straka was routine as well, with the exception of my describing to Dr. Straka how swallowing for me has become more difficult over the last several weeks. Dr. Straka did reduce my trach tube once again from a #6 to a #4 but recommended we leave this one in for a period of one to two years, mostly as a safeguard to keep an airway open in the event of some unforseen swelling such as I'm experiencing right now. Although this swelling does not affect my breathing at this time. Dr. Straka did order a Barium swallow study and it was determined that some foods particularly liquids are going in to my windpipe but no explanation was given as to why except that the little flap of skin that is supposed to prevent this is weak and not doing its job to a 100%. The speech therapists who were present during the swallow study had no recommendations for exercises, only to eat a diet of softer foods and thicker liquids to help prevent the foods from going down the wrong tubes. They also querried me as to whether or not I had had a recent cold or if any other changes had occured in my lifestle. I told them of my recent change to the South Beach Diet to try and improve my eating habits and also of a liquid supplement that my Master Herbalist Mary Phoenik had recommended I take that aids in celluar reconstruction. That supplement consists of juice from the Mangosteen fruit and it has yet to be determined if my swelling in the throat can be attributed to that or not.
This coming Monday I go for a PetScan and will review the results of that with Dr. Kukunoor on Friday the 29th of August. I will speak to him about my swallowing issues as well and see what he has to say about that.
My vacation home could not have been better, the weather was fall like and we did not turn the air conditioner on once the whole time I was home. Dad and I played a few rounds of golf in order to tune up for the Polish Falcons Golf Tournament and I shot 4 consistent 9 hole rounds of 46-46-46-42, and struck the ball better than I ever have. Following the tournament I shot a 39-47 round at Glengarry Golf course near Latrobe with my brother-in-law Darren. Dad was all golfed out by then but we did manage to get in one more round out in Ohio at Copeland Hills where again I played very well, but I can't remember my scores.
I got to see a lot of old friends at the Falcon Golf Tournament and enjoyed the two day affair. We also attended on Pirate baseball game with my sister Cathty and her family on Sunday. It was a beautiful sunny day abd a good crowd was onhand but sad to say the Buco's lost:(. But it was nice to spend the afternoon at the park.
Aside from that we did some yard work down in the woods behind the house trying to take back the land from the onset of Kudzu, which like cancer will kill if not killed first. I seem to have taken on a great obsession to rid our property and that of the neighbors of this creeping vine that will cling to and kill just about anything in it's path.
My next planned trip home is the weekend of September 6th to participate in the Polish Falcons District IV golf tournament to be held at Harmony Ridge (formerly Ambrdige Golf Club) of which Dad is the Tournament Chairman.
I will post another update after getting the results of my upcoming PetScan.