On Wednesday Mike had his four-week-post-radiation check with Dr. Ken Zhen at UNMC. While it was actually emotionally painful to walk through the doors again, it was good to see the smiles of the dear people who work there and are so very caring. (How do they do it day in and day out? The faces of the weary and radiated people in the waiting room is enough to send you into a downward spiral. Our hats go off to the wonderful staff there.)
They weighed Mike. He dropped another half pound this week to 158.5. We learned that he actually lost more weight in the four weeks post radiation than during the six weeks of radiation - which makes sense since he was sicker and his pain levels were higher, especially in weeks 7-8. Nurse Cindy gave a great pep talk about doing the hard work of eating - and making your calories count. Dr. Zhen said "it took a long time to feel bad and it will take a long time to heal completely" - but everything looks as expected. He assured Mike that when he comes back in 3 months that he will feel much better! We refilled Mike's prescription for the codeine mouth rinse stuff that makes it possible for him to eat with the pain in his throat. They had all seen Mike's article in the Omaha World Herald which was fun. We appreciate these people dearly but are glad we do not have to come back here on a daily basis. Duh.
Our next Dr. Haughey appointment is December 20th at 1:30pm, as he wants to see Mike six weeks post radiation. We are looking forward to that very much.
Speaking of St. Louis, please join us in praying for Janice (as in our home-way-from-home Tom & Janice) as she has surgery on Monday for breast cancer. They caught it small and early... we are praying that Monday's surgery starts and ends their journey. Like a day-trip cancer ride.
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