Fast Update

Still alive and kicking.

Had the first fitting for my dentures a few weeks back, good news.  Bad news, instead of getting "teeth" by May, as told over 6 months ago, the VA oral surgeon wants another 3 months of healing time for my gums and jaw bones, bad news.  The VA dentist in Greenville that I saw, read from the surgeon's notes, and he stated that my case was a 1 out of 1,000 case.  In his 40 plus years of practice, said it was the worse radiation damage he had ever seen.  He wants to proceed with extreme caution.

Due to high risk of secondary cancer from the radiation, especially, he noted, brain cancers, he is ordering full 360 dental x-ray's every 6 months and a full brain MRI every year from this point on.

Will be seeing the ENT doctor real soon about the lump in my cheek, still waiting for appointment with the eye doctor to give second opinion on lump in eye socket.  Nothing more can be done to speed it up via the VA.

No change on weight issue.  After stabilizing for a couple of weeks, back on the downward slide again.  No one has an answer at this point.  Got them all baffled.  When I have recently tried forced calories, all it does is increase the "burn" rate.  Seems like everything in my body works with reverse logic.

Still faithfully going to PT, been there for 4 years now, a record at that facility.  No forward progress ever, but they still feel they are helping me from slipping back even more.  I agree.  My doctors agree.  This week, fatigue was so extreme, could barely finish 1/2 of my normal limited routine.  But I do the best I can.

Hope everyone is doing well.  When I get a chance, will spend a little time reading some of the more recent posts, to give a word of encouragement to those in need, or advice, if any of my limited knowledge is still useful.

Saw where someone was implying a contradiction in test results on my kidneys.  I agree it seems that way.  VA doctor's explanation was the vast difference one can get going to different scan centers and using different machines.  Their scan didn't show the same stuff the 3-D one had previously.  Seems odd to me, hard to know which one to believe (as the patient - me).

My oncologist refuses to accept scans from the local hospital I live next to, as he said even their basic x-ray's are inferior quality.

Will check back when there's something useful to post.  Just hanging in there.

I was wondering where you where you have been, Purgatory…Soldier on… Have or do you do much reading when you can? I find much comfort in reading from the irritants of life. Obviously you have more than irritants, but perhaps some salve could be found …...

Pergayory: Always hope to see a glimmer of good in your Posts. Each time I read your posts I admire your courage and conviction even more.

Prayers non stop.

David:

So glad to see your post. I emailed you several weeks ago and didn't hear back from you. I was beginning to worry that something very serious had happened and there was no way to find that out. I know that I've been MIA for sometime. I was so sick in March, as you know.

My broken pelvis/hip aren't healing and I'm in still the exact amount of pain I was in when I went into the hospital on March 2nd. I'll see the orthopedic Dr that operated on my foot last summer. Now mind you, he's an ankle and foot guy, but still and orthopedic Dr, right?

It's a real bummer that you'll have to wait another 3 months, that really stinks. All I can say to that is I'm so sorry and just keep hanging in there David. I truly know what it's like to just hang on and wish it would all go away.

Hate to hear that you're still having issues with your weight. Wish I had some magic solution for you, I know I lost 15lbs while in the hospital. I normally gain the weight back. I haven't this time though. I'm not eating a lot anymore as I'm feeling just way to rough. I try to eat an avocado daily, if you like those that's a great. They are a very good source of vitamins and fat. I also, have a lot of pears, and oatmeal with toast. Just a thought in case you might be tempted by the suggestion.

Well I'd better go I have a very early morning appointment at Walter Reed. Hubby is taking me as he feels with my fractured hip/pelvis I'm not ready to take myself yet David you remember our agreement, we're pain buddies and we there for each other no matter what.

Please drop me email and we'll catch up more okay. You're in my daily prayers and I'm pulling for good news for you really soon. I know I how you're feeling, hang tough okay.

Hugs,
Barbara

David, whenever I check in, which isn't very often anymore, I look to see if you have an update. Keep up the fight against all what you have to deal with. I wish you the best.

thank you, one and all, who took the time to read this update, and to post your sentiments. appreciated.

Hi David! Glad you felt like doing an update for us. I know the delay for your dentures is frustrating, but better to get it right than suffer more with sore gums, unhealed spots, or poorly fitting teeth. I continue to pray that your doctors will get on the ball and really work to determine what is going on with your weight loss and balance issues, as well as with those tumors. I pray for you and your wife, too.

I went to Duke Medical for my asthma. On the drive home, hubby said " I've always know you were a unique woman, but I didn't know you were unique enough to confound the director of pulmonology at Duke Unv. Medical!". In other words, I still don't know what is wrong, either. They are supposed to schedule another , more in depth bronchoscopy. Waiting to get the call...... you know the drill.

Stay positive.

Thanks for the post, David, it's always good to hear from you even when the news isn't great. Keep kickin'!

David, I follow your journey and hope it helps you to know that people are interested and care about your welfare.

Thanks to each of you.
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Monday, was at VA today. Today, they spent an hour making a total of 3 more impressions for my teeth. They didn't like the first one for the uppers, so they scratched it, and started all over again. After some adjustments, they proceeded to make the lowers.

Was told again, it would be more than likely, that I will not have the finished product until the first week of August, still a long time away. But I have made it 6 months so far without teeth, starting to get use to that part.

And as a good news item. Was paying someone to grind a stump away (actually several) in my front yard, where my yard man is building a raised mulched area surrounded by retaining wall blocks. The stump guy refused to take any money for his work, because I was wearing my Navy Viet-Nam vet hat (usually always wear it when it go to the VA), and said he couldn't charge a veteran for his services. I insisted back, but he wouldn't take a dime, and thanked me for my service. Totally unexpected, but totally appreciated. Sometimes, however rare, there are nice people out there

Hello friends ~ has anyone seen David? I had to go back quite a bit to find a Purgatory post. I am quite concerned and hope to hear some news later today. God bless you all!