Long time, no post

Howdy! I know, I know, long time no hear. I'll give you the scoop on the two and half weeks post radiation. To sum it up, CRAP.

Even though everyone tells you a million times you are going to feel worse before you feel better, your mind says, "I'm finished, I will be better instantly." No.

The symptoms change from day to day, just to keep things interesting. Some day warm liquids will go down. Others, only ice cold. Tongue blisters come and go, so chewing is always an adventure. I do have some taste buds, but such a random sprinkling that you never know what flavors might be detected. Every food is like something from Willie Wonka's factory that was not quite tested enough for marketing.

Ensure was my friend for awhile. I am now at the point I can only consider the vanilla. The chocolate or strawberry make me gag. I can pick out the scent of instant breakfast at 50 paces. I'd rather walk the plank. While I had been hanging out around 500 calories a day, I've been closer to 100-200 for a few days now. Yesterday the feeding tube became a promise, not a threat if I can't stop the weight skid. 10 pounds in 12 days. Almost 40 pounds since July 2.

On the upside, I can now drink some juices and Gatorade. That is more calories. Too bad it is also sugar on my teeth which I have to be all the more scrupulous about. However, any new addition is a good thing. This morning I had half a hard boiled egg white (I don't like yolk).

So, on the "I have to be some kind of freak front" I saw Dr. Dierks in Portland. I have a situation where when I turn my head to the left I get an instant headache and feel lightheaded. Turn back straight, instantly gone. Three doctors here weren't sure. The cardiologist was sure it was vascular and told me to call Dierks TODAY. She loves me.

Anyway, so it turns out the scar tissue from the surgery and subsequent infection plus the radiation scarring have formed around the carotid artery in the right side of my neck. When I turn my head to the left I am in fact twisting or kinking that artery. Nice. I am supposed to massage my neck several times a day for the next three months to see if this resolves the problem. Apparently having scar tissue scraped off your carotid is not really a recommended procedure.

The radiation doctor told me she has never seen this in 20 years. So nice to be special. However, she also recommended a physical therapist who specializes in scarring in the neck, so that is where I am off to this evening.

To cap things off, I have some funky infection under my arm and a pain in my shoulder. The funky infection is easily treated. The pain in my shoulder is "probably" compensation for the tightness on the right side (it is on the left) as it disappears every night and reappears as the day progresses. But, as a CANCER PATIENT-- will that fit on my cap next to Non-Jewish Parent-- they have to take every precaution. Some time next week I'll be having a nuclear bone scan. How nice.

On the home front, Karina just started the EIGHTH GRADE. I don't really know how that is possible or even allowed. That means she will go to high school next year! EEK.

Karissa is busy, busy, busy. Fortunately CPS doesn't come to your house for showing too many Scooby Doo videos or we'd be in jail. Sadly I just can't keep up with her right now. Swimming starts next week and Teens and Tots the week after, so that should help as I get some strength back.

Kelly is very frazzled. He has pretty much had everything dumped on him. I'm too tired to to much as far as cleaning or yard work. I'm not eating, so I'm not cooking. He doesn't catch a break. Our friends brought over meals for many days, which helped out a lot. I've managed to navigate the grocery store finally, so that is one thing off his plate.

Supposedly, it is all going to get better from here. I hope so, because our house should be condemned, our yard is full of rotting apples and Karissa needs to get potty trained before she is 12.

I guess I should have more egg white and Gatorade. I have Scandishake to try, too-- 600 calories in and 8 oz serving. I better not even read that label.

Sorry I've been off line and this is a negative rant. I'll be more upbeat next time, I promise.

Love,
Kiara