July 22, 2013 (I got the year right this time!) I’m feeling somewhat philosophical and much more optimistic this week. The affects of the medication from Friday’s ‘minor’ surgery have worn off and it feels odd not to get up in the morning and feel the PEG (Feeding Tube) or to lose a part of my morning routine where I flush the tube with water. No sit ups or push ups or any type of exercise that would push the stomach muscles for two weeks. One friend wondered if lifting 10 pounds of camera and lens would be an issue, and I guess I have to be careful! LOL Have to change the dressing every day for 5 days. See, mundane but routines none the less. The lack of exercise will be mind numbing. I have been getting out more and last week attended the Street Performers Frolic supper with my beautiful wife and had a table with good friends. It almost made me feel normal until I tried to eat supper. It looked good, and smelled good, but there wasn’t much I could swallow. Yes, the saliva is coming back slowly. I guess the radiation didn’t completely burn out the saliva glands when targeting the tumour on my tonsil and on the lymph glands. That is at least great news as it means I may recover full saliva production. You know you can’t taste without saliva! More changes in my voice, with more saliva and phlegm build up at night, I wake up with a very hoarse, rough voice. Still not much strength in the voice area. The doctors are still not sure how much nerve damage was done by the tumours. I have a small list of issues still but hey seem larger now that the major illness is behind me. I still have difficulty lifting with my left arm and the eyelid droop is also still present on my left side. Some hearing improvement on the left so there appears to be nerve recovery taking place but as I am healthier and more aware, all this things become more frustrating. It was a year ago that my wife and I moved into our apartment in Edmonton to begin my Treatment at the Cross Cancer Institute. Seems longer than that. I have read over some of my writings from that time and I wonder at the fear I buried and the worry of my wife and friends. From the diagnosis of cancer until now, life continues to change. Some things are just not as important now, and others are irritants that I have no trouble voicing, when previously I might have ignored. If I have any words of advice, they are to examine your relationships and carefully look at your priorities. I can’t imagine anyone going through this successfully if you are alone. The stresses accompanying critical illness can make or break any relationship you have. I have been blessed with a second chance for many things and life will never be the same. Have a great week my friends. I think I’ll try to get out tonight and take some pictures of our local musical talent at a musical Café that is hosted once a month here in Grande Prairie…. Might see some of you there. Say hello if you recognize me. ;)
Posted on: Mon, 22 Jul 2013 14:25:57 +0000
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