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Daley's Dailey News |
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October 2011
10/4/11 Tuesday Early September Di had a sore throat. Doc prescribed antibiotic. No results. Went back to doc and he recommended another antibiotic and recommended she call ENT doc for appointment. It took almost a week before she could get appointment. Upon examination ENT doc warned us that it could be cancer but biopsy was not able to be done until ibuprofen cleared her system. She had been taking ibuprofen to reduce swelling and relieve pain. Biopsy was done on 10/4th.
10/08/11 Saturday 7:30 AM Di had an appointment with ENT doc yesterday. We were told the bad news. Biopsies of a growth on her right tonsil determined: Invasive Moderately Differentiated Squamous Cell Carcinoma. A cat-scan of her head and neck showed no other glands involved. She will have a chest cat-scan on Monday to further confirm the tumor has not spread. Treatment can involve various therapies. Radiation, chemo and surgery. These will be analyzed by a team of MDs at Medical University of South Carolina and a regimen will be determined. Di is in good spirits and determined to beat the challenge. Keep her in your prayers.
10/10/11 Monday 1:20 PM Just finished lunch, Di was restricted from even a cup of coffee. GOOD NEWS - the cat-scan was negative. All organs are clear. She had an extensive blood test on Friday and that also came back perfect! We are awaiting for the team in MUSC to invite us to Charleston. ENT doc says not to panic, they will study the data and get to us soon. We hope by weeks end, will keep you posted as soon as we hear.
10/15/11 Saturday 9:00 AM We will head to Charleston, Sunday early AM. Frankly I haven't a clue as to when I'll post again but be assured it won't be before Monday late afternoon. Dr. Day appointment is 8:15 AM Monday. We'll be on our way to Charleston early Sunday AM. We have a list of questions and I am sure Dr. Day has a list too. We will settle on a regimen. We anticipate further delay. I doubt therapy will begin Monday. Since Charleston is so far away (2hrs) we will be prepared if we need stay a few nights.
10/17/11 Monday 9:00 PM
Wow what a day! We met individually, non stop, doctor after doctor. Throat
surgeon, reconstructive surgeon, dentist, speech therapist, radiologist and
chemo doc. Naturally we were/are confused.
10/18/11 Tuesday 11:00 AM I had a sleepless night. My mind was stuck on the dilemma -- what is the best treatment? When I was on my right side I thought surgery, on the left, radiation and chemo. Maybe I should just flip a coin? The nightmare continued for the coin landed on the edge. Option #1 - surgery was extreme, 12 hours for removal and reconstruction. Option #2 - Cistplatin once a week and radiation 5 days a week for 7 weeks. We needed an opinion that would break the tie!
Di was sleeping and brother she needed it. I was up at my usual 6 AM and when she awoke it was almost 9 AM. I reviewed my notes from yesterday's meetings. We needed a tie breaker and Di kept asking me what she should do? So when she asked me if I had an opinion I said yes! Call the local ENT doc and see if she will give us her opinion. Surgery is part of her practice. So Di got a hold of her at 9:30 AM and she broke the tie! Doc said "If it was me, I would go for the radiation, the surgery is extremely difficult". Enough said. Finally Di has made her decision and radiation and chemo is it.
10/19/11 Wednesday 8:00 AM At 11 AM yesterday the world stood still. We had already talked to folks at MUSC and got the ball rolling. It must be going up hill for no call back. We need to get to the hospital for a number of reasons. Having the stops aligned is a must or we will be going back and forth like a yoyo.
10/20/11 Thursday 6:30 AM We made headway yesterday. Di will see the oral surgeon at 1 PM. Two molars will be removed. A fluoride retainer will be made. Keeping the teeth from decay is vital. She will put a solution of fluoride in the retainer and apply it to her teeth to prevent infection. We are hoping she will also have the protective radiation mask made. Two remaining tests are also attempting to be arranged - a full body scan and a thyroid test. We will pack clothes for Friday in case they can't get all this done in one afternoon.
On 10/31 Monday radiation and chemo begin. We are hoping to reside at click -> Hope Lodge. We will be there M, T, W, T and head for HHI after radiation on F, S, S and then begin the routine over again for 7 weeks.
10/21/11 Friday 4:00 PM We headed to MUSC early on Thursday hoping we would get a thyroid biopsy test out of the way. No luck, they were to busy to see us Thursday and made an exception to do the test at 8 AM Friday. At noon we went to Mission Street to find a motel room. Russells and Daleys -- we dined again at Poogan's Porch. Di had a favorite, mac-n-cheese! The Southern touch included ham and she loved every bite.
We arrived at MUSC at 1 PM for her oral surgeon appointment. They admitted her at precisely 1 PM! After confirming the extractions, the Dr. explained what he was going to do. Two molars had to be removed for they would likely be harmed by the radiation. By taking them out and sewing the top of the gums together, the healing would be quick and prevent infection in the future. 40 Minutes later she was in the waiting room. The Dr. wrote several scripts and when he started to write Percocet, Di stopped him. "I have Percocet". Of course it was 100 miles away at home.
When she left the dentist's office she had some discomfort, just like other times that she had dental work done. Then it was off to have the radiation mask made. By 4 PM we were heading back to the motel. The Novocain began to wear off and all we had was Tylenol! (The Percocet was at home!!!) Somehow she made it through the night. The Dentist had to grind part of the jaw bone to allow the gums to pinch together as he sewed them. Di says the pain was worse than childbirth and a kidney stone rolled together. I did find a CVS and bought more Tylenol, 4 every 4 hours helped. Today she is handling the pain OK.
Here is the good news! The radiologist performed an ultra sound test and told Di the team saw no reason to perform a biopsy. Her thyroid was fine!!
10/25/11 Tuesday 7:30 AM We need to leave for MUSC at 6 AM Thursday. Her last exam on Thursday is a PET-scan. We'll be lucky to hit the road for HHI by 5:30 PM.
10/26/11 Wednesday 9:00 AM Next post will be Friday, we leave for MUSC at 5:50 AM Thursday. Di's last test is a PET-scan scheduled for 2 PM with an estimated length of three hours. We'll be lucky to see home by 8 PM.
10/28/11 Friday 8:15 AM Di first met with the radiologist. She now has a tattoo to guide the "brand new" radiology machine. All the tests must first be analyzed by Dr. before he sets the time and beginning date for therapy. We had hoped for Monday but doubt it will be that soon. It is hard to be patient!
10/29/11 Saturday 7:30 AM Unfortunately we heard nothing from MUSC Friday. That surely means no therapy on Monday. Keep your fingers crossed that we can go over on Tuesday! Di can't wait until they start the radiation and chemo. I am sure a day won't make a difference.
Di is in good spirits even though she has a sore throat 24 hrs @ day. Tylenol and ibuprofen are her preferred pain relief. Food tastes different. When she orders something like pasta, she knows how the sauce should taste -- NADA!
10/31/11 MANday 11:30 AM Just heard from MUSC that the results of the tests are being analyzed and it is not a quick process like we thought. The radiologist and chemo docs must get together after they determine exactly how and where the radiation treatment should be aimed. The likely hood is that we will not hear when treatment will start until next week. More agonizing waiting is our assignment. Jo said enjoy the week like it is a vacation. So now we are trying to adjust our thoughts. Keeping positive is the challenge!
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