Updates on Kent and Steve

My friend Christi told me a few days ago that her father is tolerating the chemo + radiation treatments well. He is past the midpoint, which is when things can tend to bottom out, so hopefully he can see a light at the end of this tunnel.  He has avoided the need for a feeding tube, which is big victory for him.  While some try to avoid having a tube, others like me welcomed it because it took away the stress of having to eat food that a) I couldn't taste, b) I didn't like, and c) had extreme difficultly swallowing.    Please keep the Good Vibes coming for Kent, as tolerance can change quickly--and he'll still have a long recovery even if things keep going well. Christi told him about my last post and that Team Mike was behind them--they were both appreciative.

After a long time, I heard from Steve Nau last week.  He is recovering from his surgery, trying to cope with the reality of having a big chunk of his tongue gone.  He definitely needed a feeding tube because his tongue can't move food around in his mouth well enough to chew and swallow it.  But, he is in good spirits, looking forward to retiring soon and spending more time with his grand daughter.  What got my attention most was the way he has prioritized things in his life in a way that keeps him very upbeat and looking ahead at what he can do, not being dragged down by what he can't do after his two bouts with cancer and their treatments.  I told him he was my hero, because he is weathering through what would be my own personal nightmare--having to deal with recurring cancer, its treatments, and the after effects of it all.

I was strong my one time around (knock on wood), but not sure I have enough left in the tank to take on another battle with the Prairie Dogs.  Let's hope it never comes to that--so keep sending the Good Vibes my way.

By the way, it looks like my last surgery was not successful.  I am still not able to control the 'leaking' of saliva from my mouth unless I conscientiously purse my lips together.  So, when I bend over to tie my shoes, or work in the garden, etc., saliva comes out unless I think through it first.  The problem is that I don't have the nerves in my mouth anymore that detect saliva and trigger an automatic swallowing reflex.  Normally a person reflexively swallows several hundred times a day--I can't do that without thinking about it first. 

Bottom line--time to get with Dr. Roser and see if I have any options left, short of devising some kind of drool-catcher to hang under my lower lip.  And as I think of that, it ain't gonna happen.  I'll just get a lot more dark shirts to wear.

Mike

Good Vibes Needed for Kent

A couple weeks ago we heard that the father of a good friend of ours was diagnosed with esophageal cancer.  Our friend's name is Christi and her father's name is Kent.  I had a conversation with Christi yesterday and she updated me on her dad.  Kent's cancer is Stage 3--no spread to other organs, but a good-sized tumor that apparently grew fast.

As for most head/neck cancers, Kent had three treatment options--surgery, chemo, and radiation.  While surgery was a strong possibility, it would have left him with essentially no esophagus--just a direct 'tunnel' from his mouth to his stomach.  So, he chose chemo + rads and is about 2/3 through those treatment cycles.

That means he's in the toughest stretch for pain, discomfort, poor appetite, low blood cell counts, fatigue, etc.   So far, no sign of needing a feeding tube, so that's a plus.

So please send Kent your best Team Mike Good Vibes in the next few weeks, so he can get over this huge hump and back to doing things that the typical 81-year old does--like running, hiking, and cross country skiing.

Mike