Great News – Oncologist Appointment-Feb 7

Another early morning appointment so I hope there won’t be much waiting. No blood work, that’s good. I get checked in, fill out the paperwork where I happily report that I’m feeling great and there are no new problems since my last visit in December.

At about 8:15am, here comes Kim to take Mary and me back to the exam room. Along the way we stop to see how much I weigh. Wow, I’ve lost 9 pounds in the past 8 weeks. The walking is helping me lose weight and improve my stamina. My blood pressure, temperature, and heart rate are just fine.

A few minutes later Dr. Barbara, my oncologist, arrives with great news – the results of last Thursday’s CT scan were good, nothing abnormal 🙂 Yes! Two scans down and six more to go, as I will be repeating this process every six months for two years.

I tell her that I’m feeling fine, swallowing is normal, and I don’t get fatigued like I did a few months ago. Am I doing my head and neck exercises? Yep! How about good oral care – brushing with the prescription fluoride toothpaste, flossing, seeing a dentist? Yes to all three! My only lingering side effects are dry mouth most mornings, occasional neuropathy in my feet, and minor lymphedema swelling in my neck (gobble, gobble).

I tell Dr. Barbara that I’m walking 8,000 steps a day this week on my way to walking 10,000 steps a day by next month. She’s pleased. Then I tell her I’m interested in walking a half marathon at the end of April and ask if she has any concerns. She was delighted, even excited, and encouraged me to do it. Only one caveat – join one of the groups that is training for the event. So now I have a new goal, walk the Country Music Half Marathon in Nashville on April 30, 2011. The American Cancer Society is one of the charities for the marathon so I will check into walking to raise money for them.

Have fun! Dick