Clear Margins
Three important updates, beginning with the most critical:
Pathology
The margins are clear and no other lymph nodes were affected. This is what we were hoping for - the gamble of the last-minute switch to surgery first - and it appears to have paid off. They got the cancer out before it had a chance to spread beyond my tonsil and one lymph node. Recommended next steps will be offered soon, but we are no longer looking at six weeks of combined radiation and chemotherapy. This is good. This is way good.
Cosmetics
We took out the stitches yesterday. While my neck still looks like an illustration in an ISIS training manual, it does so less than even a day ago and much less than when I first got out of surgery. When you look at it closely, you can see how the doctor found and followed the natural curves and wrinkles of my neck. And with such a fine cut, this will be a subtle scar. Though not too subtle, I hope - I still want to wear this as a badge of honor, and trot it out for parties.
Eating on My Own
We also took out the feeding tube yesterday. That was an experience I will never forget. Rather than get into details, let me just say I now know what a "catch and release" fish goes through before it is tossed back in to the water.
The feeding tube is important. Without one, I would not have been getting the nutrition needed for recovery. This is especially important right after surgery. On the other hand, it is obtrusive: a constant presence in your nose, dangling off your ear and taking up space in your throat. Having it removed is liberating, indeed.
But freedom comes with a price. In this case that means eating - not an easy task when you have a large hole in your throat (where your tonsil and a lot of surrounding tissue used to be) and countless nerves and muscles that were damaged during surgery, leaving either numbness, pain or just plain lack of control while they heal. For example, just trying to drink water causes multiple fits and actually risks spreading bacteria into your airways, let alone dribbling right down your chin. Naturally, dehydration is the quickest risk to arise.
So, after a shaky start yesterday, I was relieved to wake up and eat a whole serving of Malt-o-Meal, a side of applesauce, a decent amount of coconut milk and yes, even some water. While that may sound like the breakfast special at your local kindergarten, to me, right now, it is delicious. I will keep eating like a child until the situation improves.
Big Week Behind, Many More to Go
So this week was a big one. Yesterday alone was almost too much. I am thrilled to be where I am, even if it has been exhausting getting here.
What comes next? We have additional treatment to discuss. I need a speech/swallowing therapist. Solid foods are somewhere down the horizon. You know what? We have enough. Let's just keep taking it one thing at a time.
