After a long week of not having any progress and one day an actual setback against ole Elroy, I went in Friday (yesterday) for my followup with the Radiation Doctor who decided that she would increase (double) my pain medicine so I can start eating some real food and finally make some real progress on my throat.
Talk about a turnaround. This morning I had two biscuits with brown gravy and a fried egg for breakfast. Now, given a small yogurt about killed me (pain wise) just two days ago, this is a big deal.
Also did a full workout today, after a 30 minute walk this morning, so life has suddenly gotten much better. Worked all week, but had to come home early on Wednesday, because the pain was so bad.
The best part of this, is the increase in pain medicine from 25mcg per hour to 50mcg per hour (via the 72 hour patch), DID NOT MAKE ME SLEEPY. So I feel the same physically, but can EAT.
Where's that T-Bone?
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Swallow Test Today
Today, they did some swallow tests where I had to swallow several different things with varying consistencies while taking X-Ray videos which I got to watch. Basically, your throat is like a cake decorator device where you pour something inside it then squeeze it out through a smaller opening. Was pretty cool, because as soon as you swallow your throat constricts and shoots the drink/food down to the stomach.
Really fast and I could see the muscles contracting all the way down. There is a little flap that looks like a hook that protects the vocal cords and that's where my problem is. Because my muscles are weak from not using them enough, it doesn't force the drink/food down hard enough and a little bit gets "hooked" and hangs up. So what I have to do is force myself to swallow and get the muscles stronger so it'll shoot it down harder and miss the hook. Meanwhile, I just have to swallow some water after every swallow of something else so I can wash that little bit hooked up down.
Really fast and I could see the muscles contracting all the way down. There is a little flap that looks like a hook that protects the vocal cords and that's where my problem is. Because my muscles are weak from not using them enough, it doesn't force the drink/food down hard enough and a little bit gets "hooked" and hangs up. So what I have to do is force myself to swallow and get the muscles stronger so it'll shoot it down harder and miss the hook. Meanwhile, I just have to swallow some water after every swallow of something else so I can wash that little bit hooked up down.
Monday, March 17, 2008
Elroy and Me
This morning I had the IV port taken out so I can start lifting weights here in a couple of weeks. Pretty sore right now, but the procedure was pretty easy. The surgeon gave me a local and cut that baby out. Gave him a hard time because the scar tissue has enveloped the device, but he finally cut all the way around it and was able to pull it out with the catheter. Was able to eat a little mashed potatoes, chicken, and yogurt today, but not much. Need to get more aggressive, but waiting until the swallow tests on Thursday to make sure I don't try something that'll choke me. Had enough choking for a while. Feel good, down to 188 this morning, which is surprising because I thought we were doing pretty good on the shakes. Well, need to count them I guess and make sure I get at least 8 per day at 350 calories, but whatever else I can put down. Think I'll go do that now.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Scope the Throat Day
I went back to the ENT surgeon today and he ran a camera down my throat and it's nothing outside the norm. I have to start swallowing more to get the muscles working and keep the scar tissue loosened up, so I'll just have to power through it. He assures me that exercising the throat is very important to getting better.
My throat is restricted on one side so steak and potatoes are out for now, but drinking shakes should work. May be 6 months before its really back to normal, but at least I have a plan.
Plus they'll have the speech therapist do some swallowing tests and give me some other stuff to help open it up more. Maybe even run a expanding device down there to stretch it out.
I got to take a look at the screen when he had the camera in and man they burnt me hard. I told him how many rads of radiation they gave me and he said something about a sledgehammer.....
I have an appointment with the surgery clinic to work on getting this IV port out of my chest tomorrow so I can start lifting weights. Not sure if they'll actually perform the surgery tomorrow or just do the consult for it.
Anyway, at least it's not something permanent so I just need to SUCK IT UP, Mike
My throat is restricted on one side so steak and potatoes are out for now, but drinking shakes should work. May be 6 months before its really back to normal, but at least I have a plan.
Plus they'll have the speech therapist do some swallowing tests and give me some other stuff to help open it up more. Maybe even run a expanding device down there to stretch it out.
I got to take a look at the screen when he had the camera in and man they burnt me hard. I told him how many rads of radiation they gave me and he said something about a sledgehammer.....
I have an appointment with the surgery clinic to work on getting this IV port out of my chest tomorrow so I can start lifting weights. Not sure if they'll actually perform the surgery tomorrow or just do the consult for it.
Anyway, at least it's not something permanent so I just need to SUCK IT UP, Mike
Elroy's Hanging On
Well it's been 5 weeks and I'm still having problems with the throat. Everytime it seems like it's getting better, a day later it seems to get a little worse. It is better than a couple of weeks ago but the gunk in my throat is still there and still painful.
I tried something different yesterday. I had read that milk products caused mucus to build up in the body, so I switched from the Ensure Plus milk shakes to powered protein shakes mixed in water. It's only been one day, so can't really notice a difference yet, but we'll see how it goes.
I tried something different yesterday. I had read that milk products caused mucus to build up in the body, so I switched from the Ensure Plus milk shakes to powered protein shakes mixed in water. It's only been one day, so can't really notice a difference yet, but we'll see how it goes.
Friday, March 7, 2008
Day 30 After Last Treatment
Significant improvement on the mouth sores. Have a pretty good
burn on the left side of my tongue which is pretty painful.
The throat is still sore, but I was able to drink a cup and a
half of hot tea with honey today, and eat about three spoonfuls
of beans. The beans were cheap out of the can, so I couldn't
take too much, but it's something. Have been sleeping all night
which is helping a lot. Plenty of energy and physically I feel
really good. The spitting is under control, still have to do it
sometimes, but it is no big deal now.
Next week should see a lot of improvement. Elroy has run his course.
Punk!
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Day 25 After Last Treatment
Had a great day today. Throat may finally be cooperating. Still sore, but the spitting has really slowed down to a crawl and I got a great nights sleep last night. Slept in till 0700 hours, then did 30 minutes on the treadmill and a good tricep routine on the bowflex. Added a little extra weight today. I'm hoping we rounded the corner on this thing. Energy level is high and feel very good physically.
John Hopkins University Study
Guess what my diet will be when I can eat again?
CANCER CELLS FEED ON:
a. Sugar is a cancer-feeder. By cutting off sugar it cuts off one important food supply to the cancer cells. Sugar subs titutes like NutraSweet, Equal, Spoonful, etc are made with Aspartame and it is harmful. A better natural substitute would be Manuka honey or molasses but only in very small amounts. Table salt has a chemical added to make it white in color.
Better alternative is Bragg's aminos or sea salt.
b. Milk causes the body to produce mucus, especially in the gastro-intestinal tract. Cancer feeds on mucus.
By cutting off milk and substituting with unsweetened soy milk cancer cells are being starved.
c. Cancer cells thrive in an acid environment. A meat-based diet is acidic and it is best to eat fish, and a little chicken rather than beef or pork. Meat also contains livestock antibiotics, growth hormones and parasites, which are all harmful, especially to people with cancer.
d. A diet made of 80% fresh vegetables and juice, whole grains, seeds, nuts and a little fruits help put the body into an alkaline environment. About 20% can be from cooked food including beans. Fresh vegetable juices provide live enzymes that are easily absorbed and reach down to cellular levels within 15 minutes to nourish and enhance growth of healthy cells. To obtain live enzymes for building healthy cells try and drink fresh vegetable juice (most vegetables including bean sprouts)and eat some raw vegetables 2 or 3 times a day. Enzymes are destroyed at temperatures of 104 degrees F (40 degrees C).
e. Avoid coffee, tea, and chocolate, which have high caffeine. Green tea is a better alternative and has cancer-fighting properties. Water-best to drink purified water, or filtered, to avoid known toxins and heavy metals in tap water. Distill ed water is acidic, avoid it.
12. Meat protein is difficult to digest and requires a lot of digestive enzymes. Undigested meat remaining in the intestines become purified and leads to more toxic buildup.
13. Cancer cell walls have a tough protein covering. By refraining from or eating less meat it frees more enzymes to atta ck the protein walls of cancer cells and allows the body's killer cells to destroy the cancer cells.
14. Some supplements build up the immune system (IP6, Flor-ssence, Essiac, anti-oxidants, vitamins, minerals, EFAs etc.) to enable the bodies own killer cells to destroy cancer cells. Other supplements like vitamin E are known to cause apoptosis, or programmed cell death, the body's normal method of disposing of damaged, unwanted, or unneeded cells.
15. Cancer is a disease of the mind, body, and spirit. A proactive and positive spirit will help the cancer warrior be a survivor. Anger, unforgiveness and bitterness put the body i nto a s tressful and acidic environment. Learn to have a loving and forgiving spirit. Learn to relax and enjoy life.
16. Cancer cells cannot thrive in an oxygenated environment. Exercising daily, and deep breathing help to get more oxygen down to the cellular level. Oxygen therapy is another means employed to destroy cancer cells.
CANCER CELLS FEED ON:
a. Sugar is a cancer-feeder. By cutting off sugar it cuts off one important food supply to the cancer cells. Sugar subs titutes like NutraSweet, Equal, Spoonful, etc are made with Aspartame and it is harmful. A better natural substitute would be Manuka honey or molasses but only in very small amounts. Table salt has a chemical added to make it white in color.
Better alternative is Bragg's aminos or sea salt.
b. Milk causes the body to produce mucus, especially in the gastro-intestinal tract. Cancer feeds on mucus.
By cutting off milk and substituting with unsweetened soy milk cancer cells are being starved.
c. Cancer cells thrive in an acid environment. A meat-based diet is acidic and it is best to eat fish, and a little chicken rather than beef or pork. Meat also contains livestock antibiotics, growth hormones and parasites, which are all harmful, especially to people with cancer.
d. A diet made of 80% fresh vegetables and juice, whole grains, seeds, nuts and a little fruits help put the body into an alkaline environment. About 20% can be from cooked food including beans. Fresh vegetable juices provide live enzymes that are easily absorbed and reach down to cellular levels within 15 minutes to nourish and enhance growth of healthy cells. To obtain live enzymes for building healthy cells try and drink fresh vegetable juice (most vegetables including bean sprouts)and eat some raw vegetables 2 or 3 times a day. Enzymes are destroyed at temperatures of 104 degrees F (40 degrees C).
e. Avoid coffee, tea, and chocolate, which have high caffeine. Green tea is a better alternative and has cancer-fighting properties. Water-best to drink purified water, or filtered, to avoid known toxins and heavy metals in tap water. Distill ed water is acidic, avoid it.
12. Meat protein is difficult to digest and requires a lot of digestive enzymes. Undigested meat remaining in the intestines become purified and leads to more toxic buildup.
13. Cancer cell walls have a tough protein covering. By refraining from or eating less meat it frees more enzymes to atta ck the protein walls of cancer cells and allows the body's killer cells to destroy the cancer cells.
14. Some supplements build up the immune system (IP6, Flor-ssence, Essiac, anti-oxidants, vitamins, minerals, EFAs etc.) to enable the bodies own killer cells to destroy cancer cells. Other supplements like vitamin E are known to cause apoptosis, or programmed cell death, the body's normal method of disposing of damaged, unwanted, or unneeded cells.
15. Cancer is a disease of the mind, body, and spirit. A proactive and positive spirit will help the cancer warrior be a survivor. Anger, unforgiveness and bitterness put the body i nto a s tressful and acidic environment. Learn to have a loving and forgiving spirit. Learn to relax and enjoy life.
16. Cancer cells cannot thrive in an oxygenated environment. Exercising daily, and deep breathing help to get more oxygen down to the cellular level. Oxygen therapy is another means employed to destroy cancer cells.
Monday, March 3, 2008
Day 24 After Last Treatment
Well, today I made a bad decision by taking off my Fetanyl patch and forgetting to put another one on. About 4-5 hours later, I was reminded that the pain killer Fetanyl is pretty important as long as my throat is still fried. One swallow after the medicine wore off was a stark reminder about how painful my throat is. Man that hurt. Anyway, I immediately put on a patch and hope it'll catch up soon, because I'm still in pain. Guess it has to get back in the system a little at a time. What a bonehead.
Still not seeing much improvement, but it is better than last week.
Still not seeing much improvement, but it is better than last week.
Sunday, March 2, 2008
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