Updates/Radiation

Went to Big Duke today and saw the head of Head & Neck Oncology, Dr David Brizel. Seems my prognosis is much better than even I thought! He did an exam, ran the scope down my throat, made some videos/photos of my Larynx, etc. He stated I need 4 weeks of MILD radiation which should cause little discomfort, only a little fatigue, nothing more. I'm having it all done in Raleigh and it's set to begin second week of May. I'm glad I went the Duke route, my experience today was incredible...they treated me like I was a famous actor! These folks are a CLASS ACT! The only bad news I have is my normal Neurological symptoms are now back, lower back trouble, headaches, numbness, tingling, shakes, etc. Back to the Neurologist next week for Evoked Potential studies, ugh. Seems all I do lately is go to medical appointments.......

Updates

Nothing new medical wise, meet the radiation guy April 23rd. Headed to the beach for a day or two...Wasted a bunch of my time on an old employee named Forrest Maconnell, that we thought wanted to return, turns out he has some mental issues and needs counseling/therapy for an addiction (Lacrosse addiction). Have you ever heard of anyone becoming a professional Lacrosse player? They only make $18,000 a year for Christ's sake!It's sad when you have someone young work for you and they do a great job, then a year later you discover they've lost most of their good qualities. I'm scared to death that these young irresponsible teenagers are the adults of our future....geesh!

Things I've learned from all this.....good & bad

First of all I've been amazed at the fact the people I thought were my best friends pretty much abandoned me during all this......a guy that's a sales coach who says he's so good at "managing his time/responsibilities" never has even called or emailed. Other people I've known for years same deal, not even a note. On the OTHER side of the coin I've had people I just met in the past few weeks step up and offer assistance. I've had girls that I once dated check in on me, people I used to work with or that worked for US, and especially the Amateur radio community has helped immensely. It's not that I NEED any help, it's just been remarkable that we've gotten so many offers from sometimes the most unlikely people.....I've also learned AGAIN, as I do every so often that nobody can or will take care of you like YOU can/should! In addition, I've also learned that because you take care of a sick friend/relative certainly doesn't mean that person will take time out for you to "pay it forward" which I find quite disappointing......oh, well, onward I will go with courage and diligence I will fight! Thanks to the many friends I never knew I had and it's good to clean house of the ones I THOUGHT I had.......

I'm feeling pretty good today, a lot of throat pain, but I'll get through it. Yesterday was a disaster, I shouldn't have been let go from the hospital as I was a lost cause, just kind of drifting around feeling like I'd been on a bad 5 day hunger strike/drunk without sleep!

surgery DONE! Good & Bad news

My surgery is complete! BUT, the cancer was far more advanced and invasive than Dr. Cohen expected. He got a considerable bit of it but is depending on 4 weeks of radiation to complete the task. I'll do whatever it takes, the radiation doesn't scare me nearly as bad as the surgery did. I go see the radiologist next Wednesday, thanks to everyone for all the support.

Susan well and back at work, Charles surgery TODAY!

Susan is finally well, turns out it was blood pressure medicine that was making her sick, her BP was 86/57, way too low. She immediately got better as soon as we stopped that medication.
My surgery is TODAY, DAMMIT!!!! I swear if I hear one more person ask me "when are you going for your surgery" or "why is your voice so bad" I'll smack them. I'm just sick of the whole Fricking thing. If it weren't for Susan & Yemom's pestering, I'd just do NOTHING and continue on as if nothing was wrong. I hate doctors, hospitals and have so many times been made worse by medical mistakes that I'm VERY nervous about all this. I know one thing, after today I'm done with all this crap, no more tests, no more Doctors visits, nothing, I'm DONE! No matter what they all say, I'm going back to work and am done with all their medical stuff...