We had a consultation with the ENT doctor yesterday and from that made a plan to kill off the last of the Prairie Dogs, if any remain from the chemo+radiation treatments. On July 30 I'll have a surgical procedure to biopsy the area of the original tumor and to take a look at the lymph node on the right side of my jaw that "interests" the doctors. The PET scan was inconclusive about that node, so the best way to assess it is to go in and check it out--and to take it out if it is malignant. All three doctors are 95% confident that the original tumor is totally gone and that the lymph node poses no threat, but that 5% of unsurity (is that a word?) is causing them to recommend the surgical procedure. We agree, so we've OK'd the July 30th procedure.
Since the last post, I've been gaining strength steadily--to the point of feeling good enough to teach summer classes, starting this past week. I thought I might be ready to walk the Peachtree 10K race on the 4th of July, but the summer heat has finally arrived, and have had to change my mind on that--and the Georgia Championship Chili Cookoff at the end of June.
Next year...
mike
Keep up the good work, Mike! It's great to hear that you are teaching classes again -- hope they are going well. Races and chili can wait a bit, or you can institute your own annual Metzler race and chili cookoff during a more conducive weather season for both :-)
ReplyDeleteI'll be sending good thoughts your way on July 30th!
Hugs,
Wendy