Aug 21, 2021

 Hello Everyone,

Richelle has done a great job keeping this blog up to date while I have been healing and recovering! I wanted to give an update and again thank everyone for all the support and kind words.

We went to Edmonton this past week to see the Surgeon as a follow up to my procedures and discussed what is recommended going forward. The procedures and outcome which are again:

• Removal of  small tumor at base of tongue. All went well and samples in tissue taken immediately adjacent did not show cancer.
• Removal of lymph nodes (just over 100) and only five came back positive for cancer and all from one area,
• My skin donor site on my arm is healing well and the Dr removed some scabs along with stitches, All healing well
• Skin donor site on my leg is healing well. Looks red and I apply a cream to avoid dryness and itchiness.
• Neck trach site is healing well, stiches were removed a week or so ago

I still have swelling both in my throat and on my neck. This is challenging for swallowing and speaking.

I was on a puree only diet however in recent days I have been comfortable expanding to some different things that are easily chewable and can swallow well. This helps expand some "menu" items and as always any progress is great no matter how small! Speaking is improving I'm told however I don't notice it but when I think back a week or two I can recall that there have been strides forward.

Still having some pain with my neck and am continuing doing the exercises for my shoulders/neck to help restore movement and alleviate pain. Naps are needed but their frequency has diminished.

Looking ahead, I will be undergoing radiation therapy however no chemotherapy. I have an appointment this coming week where they will create the mask I will wear to keep me steady and go over what will happen in about a couple of weeks. This is Edmonton at the Cross Cancer Institute.

Hopefully will heal some more before this begins as it is likely that I will encounter some irritation and a possible temporary side effect is that things may taste "off".

We have been so fortunate and are so grateful for all the kindness, care, and professionalism of  all the medical experts and in particular the nurses at U of A hospital. Thank you again to everyone and it's hard to believe we are almost in September but I look forward to the coming weeks and am hoping the radiation does what it needs to without too sever side effects.

Lots of Love!! Carlisle