Update --

It's been some time since I've made an entry, but the good news is there's not much new. We continue to heal slowly, watch our progress, and pray for the best.

We met with the radiation oncologist just before Christmas to go over the results of the first follow-up PET scan. This doctor echoed the first in saying the results were good, but this doctor was considerably more conservative. She was guardedly optimistic.....not ready to get excited, but content to be positive. It was actually an emotional let down from what we had experienced with the lead doctor of the team.

The reality is, radiation was the major player in my treatment, and I think the radiation doctor was feeling more pressure for the end results. She said it's good, but she's not ready to say anymore. I have a CT scan the end of March. Until then, we wait. Meanwhile, Christmas was a joyful celebration in lots of wonderful ways.

My neck and throat are still sore and occasionally I lose my voice. Not good in my line of work. The doctor said the throat is still red, healing fine, with still a ways to go.

I've maintained weight, which means I'm still down about 25 pounds. I began working with a personal trainer in late November. It was the same one Faith has worked with for nearly two years. She knows her stuff. No one told us to to this, or even to start exercising, but it's been the right move. I had very little strength, but she assures me I'm getting stronger. Why the exercise? I know a lot of cancer patients have to endure more than one round of treatments. Should I need to go through this again, I need all the strength I can muster. Fear is a tremendous motivator.

I start each day with a 700 calorie shake and try to eat often enough to compensate for not eating much at any given time. Food is okay.....not bad....but not really good. It's certainly not what I remember.

I developed some numbness, tingling, and muscle shocks that we think are side effects of chemo. It began with my fingers losing circulation and going numb, like the numbness you get from being out in the cold.

Next, I began to experience electric-like shocks in my thighs during my workouts. It feels like the electrical shock treatment doctors use to stimulate muscles. I've had these shock episodes last up to 90 minutes.

And lately, my legs tingle from just below my knees to my feet. They don't go numb, they just tingle like your foot's asleep.

And lastly, I've definitely had some hearing loss....maybe more than just some. I made an appointment with an audiologist, but was told by the radiation doctor to wait. She said it's still too early to know if it's permanent hearing loss. In the meantime, I just say "huh" a lot, cup my ear, or nod when I don't have clue what you have just said.

Now, having said all that, I'm doing great! I'm active, I'm at work, I do anything and everything I want, I feel good, I'm trim, and I'm building strength. I'm excited by the progress and only need an occasional reminder that slow progress is to be expected. Faith is very good at providing that timely little reminder.

I shared all this other stuff only so others might understand, and that those going through anything similar might know what they could encounter. It in no way reflects my overall wellness. I'm ecstatic to be where I am!

I still need to share the aloneness part of this journey, but that's for another day.

Thank you, all of you, for your love, prayers, and support.