Just after this picture, Shelley gave him a little kiss on the cheek. All the nurses LOVE patient Vic.
His trusty sidekicks Han Solo and Chewbacca were with him (look for a Star Wars–themed post soon!):
As with last week, he sailed through NotChemo this week.
NotChemo was followed immediately by NotSurgery. NotSurgery is a little procedure that he needed after his surgery two weeks ago to insert his mediport and his feeding tube. The procedure was to remove the T tags (no, I do not know what they are) around the feeding tube. Snip snip, and it was done. Here he is with NotSurgery nurse Deb:
Now, I must report that the feeding tube had been giving him some trouble—it was red around the tube and ... well ... let's just say the site needed frequent cleaning. Plus inside he was having sharp, intermittent pains. The oncologist was a little worried about the site and prescribed Keflex, an antibiotic. The surgeon was not concerned at all—about either the site or the pain. He assumed that the T tag removal would clear it all up—although he still thought the Keflex was a good idea and he prescribed Valium for the pain. Seriously, Valium is just never a wrong prescription. ;-)
The great news is, since the T tag removal, the site has not needed cleaning at all, it is much less red, and the pain is gone!
Finally, radiation day 6. I might have mentioned in a previous post (I'm too lazy to double check) that on the first day of the mask, the nurse told Vic to look at the picture on the ceiling, but the mask covered his eyes and he couldn't see anything. So one of the nurses cut eyeholes in his mask for him. I'm pleased to report that The Cancer Blog has obtained the exclusive rights to publish the first picture of the mask with eyeholes:
No, his head is not floating in midair—but that would be a neat trick, wouldn't it?
The food thing continues to vex—but he has found two things he can still taste: nuts and Chunky Monkey ice cream (thank you, Ben & Jerry's!). Sounds like a good diet to me!
Tomorrow, Vic has radiation early and gets to go to his birthday baseball game with his sister Alice. He is really looking forward to the outing.
He is now resting comfortably, feeling no side effects from the NotChemo or the accumulated radiation. I think I'll join him.
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7 comments:
Not quite true, my love. I still have to clean my tube openning a little. However, no pain last night.
Vic
Also, I'm beginning to have some heat in my mouth. Good thing my birthday game is today. Otherwise, I'm afraid I'm going underground.
The anonymous patient
Also, I was thinking about making a heat-sinc mask for my lower jaw and throat. Date is 7/21/2011.
Vic
Patty, maybe you should borrow some of his valium!
I had to go to smoked almonds to taste anything, but I don't know how that will work with a sore mouth. I thought everything tasted like cardboard... I wonder if sawdust is better.
Vanilla instant breakfast, 1 cup whole milk and favorite container of fruit flavored yogurt blended with a scoop of ice cream goes down well.... at least it did for me.
Eating smaller meals more often helped me, too... and using glasses with lids and straws helped because the smells got to me. I made my wonderful cooking neighbor (who nagged and cajoled me to eat) cook in her apartment then serve me in my apartment because I couldn't stand the cooking smells.
That's all my helpful hints for the day... hope you 2 are doing well.
XWILD
The most recent mask photo makes Vic look like a collander for tomatoes or other big fruit. I suopose you could have used it for smaller stuff if you hadn't had the nurse mess with it. Now you'll have to really work to come up with reuse, re-purpose, recycle.
Can I borrow some of his VALIUM!?
Anyways- just wanted to drop by and let you know we love you guys and are still praying, always praying! Wags is definitely in the top 5 of the cutest dog contest- the top 5 being a 5-way tie!
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox
XWILD: Good food tips. We'll give them a try--he does still like ice cream!
Mary: I'm sure we'll find dozens of good uses for that mask. A bonfire comes to mind.
Kristen: Keep your hands off my valium! I mean, Vic's valium. And thank you for the continued prayers!
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