Dale met with Dr. Michael Kupferman today at MD Anderson. Dr. Kupferman looked at Dale's ailing vocal cords and laid out three options for treating them.
Option #1: Do nothing and see if over the next few months Dale's voice returns. This assumes that mother nature will work to compensate for the damage inflicted by Dr. Rice during the lobectomy. (This is Dr. Rice's suggestion, also)
Option #2: Return to MD Anderson for an injection into the ailing vocal cord to reposition it to a location closer to the other vocal cord. This treatment lasts about 3-6 months. Can be repeated as necessary. Treatment is done in the chair, takes about an hour.
Option #3: Surgery to permanently position the ailing vocal cord in a location closer to the other vocal cord.
Dale's decision is to schedule Option #2 in April and then hope the Option #1 happens before Option #2 date! Fingers crossed again!
On the plus side, Dale was able to walk to his appointments today. Last week, he relied on a wheelchair. His appetite is somewhat better this week and he's able to climb a flight of stairs now.
Countdown to Cruise - 23 days!
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Monday, February 18, 2008
Eating and strength
Dale continues to fight his latest battle - weight loss and fatigue. His weight lose has slowed considerably, but he's lost 26 pounds since his Dec. 27th surgery.
Dale is working with a physical therapist 3 times a week to help rebuild his strength. Jackie is trying any recipe she can get her hands on to find a calorie-rich food that Dale likes. His "taster" is off and his stomach is so small from his recent illness, he doesn't find much pleasing to his palate and his stomach fills quickly! His latest supplement is milk shakes made with "Boost" and ice cream.
Jackie and Dale will return to Houston on Wednesday afternoon for a morning appointment on Thursday at MD Anderson. We're hoping for a simple fix to his vocal cord nerve damage.
Dale is working with a physical therapist 3 times a week to help rebuild his strength. Jackie is trying any recipe she can get her hands on to find a calorie-rich food that Dale likes. His "taster" is off and his stomach is so small from his recent illness, he doesn't find much pleasing to his palate and his stomach fills quickly! His latest supplement is milk shakes made with "Boost" and ice cream.
Jackie and Dale will return to Houston on Wednesday afternoon for a morning appointment on Thursday at MD Anderson. We're hoping for a simple fix to his vocal cord nerve damage.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
See Ya in 6 Months!
Dr. Tsao (chemotherapy oncologist) at MD Anderson congratulated Dale on his pathology report today! Yippee, no chemotherapy or further treatments recommended! She does want Dale to strive for 2400 calories/day to get him in shape for his Spring Break cruise.
Dr. Rice (thoracic surgeon) was glad to see him recovering well from the surgery. He will follow up in 6 months with a CT scan. He discussed the pathology report with us. The one lymph node involved was located next to the primary tumor. The other lymph nodes in the surrounding area were all clear.
Dale will meet with Dr. Kupferman (ENT) at MD Anderson on Feb. 21 to discuss the nerve damage to Dale's vocal cords.
As for now, eating and regaining strength are Dale's primary jobs!
Dr. Rice (thoracic surgeon) was glad to see him recovering well from the surgery. He will follow up in 6 months with a CT scan. He discussed the pathology report with us. The one lymph node involved was located next to the primary tumor. The other lymph nodes in the surrounding area were all clear.
Dale will meet with Dr. Kupferman (ENT) at MD Anderson on Feb. 21 to discuss the nerve damage to Dale's vocal cords.
As for now, eating and regaining strength are Dale's primary jobs!
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Jackie's Birthday!
I'm back home after a glorious week on the seas!
Happy to report that Dale has actually maintained his weight for 2 days! YIPPEE! Marcy checked in with Dale's surgeon this past week and they were not alarmed at the weight loss. Given that Dale's appetite is off, they would expect him to lose weight. Surgeon's staff was thrilled that Dale's small bowel obstruction didn't require surgery to correct.
Dale is working with a physcial therapist at home to rebuild his strength. Dale reports that he's actually tasting food again and thinks he's finally on the rebound! Good thing for him, he only has a month to get in "CRUISING SHAPE!"
Dale has a full day of appointments at MD Anderson on Wednesday. They will drive to Pearland on Tuesday and stay at the Rotary House because the first appointment on Wednesday is at 8am and the last appointment is at 2:30pm. LONG DAY!
Jackie is celebrating her 75th birthday! Diamond Lady!
Fingers, toes, etc - - - - crossed for a great doctor's appointment on Wednesday!
Happy to report that Dale has actually maintained his weight for 2 days! YIPPEE! Marcy checked in with Dale's surgeon this past week and they were not alarmed at the weight loss. Given that Dale's appetite is off, they would expect him to lose weight. Surgeon's staff was thrilled that Dale's small bowel obstruction didn't require surgery to correct.
Dale is working with a physcial therapist at home to rebuild his strength. Dale reports that he's actually tasting food again and thinks he's finally on the rebound! Good thing for him, he only has a month to get in "CRUISING SHAPE!"
Dale has a full day of appointments at MD Anderson on Wednesday. They will drive to Pearland on Tuesday and stay at the Rotary House because the first appointment on Wednesday is at 8am and the last appointment is at 2:30pm. LONG DAY!
Jackie is celebrating her 75th birthday! Diamond Lady!
Fingers, toes, etc - - - - crossed for a great doctor's appointment on Wednesday!
Friday, February 8, 2008
Quick Update
Shelley here. Mom is still enjoying her cruise. I'm happy to report that they are having a wonderful and relaxing time. While she's been soaking up the rays, I've made a few calls south to get the latest report on PaPa's progress.
Dale had a physical therapist visit him several times this week. The therapist is working with Dale to rebuild his strength. Jackie reports that while Dale's endurance is still a bit low, he is making an effort to really do the recommended exercises. Jackie also reports that they are walking a little bit further every day. While recovery is a slow process, spirits seems high. Yahoo! The Stovers will head to Houston on Tuesday for their Wednesday appointments at MD Anderson. Continue to keep Dale in your thoughts and prayers!
Dale had a physical therapist visit him several times this week. The therapist is working with Dale to rebuild his strength. Jackie reports that while Dale's endurance is still a bit low, he is making an effort to really do the recommended exercises. Jackie also reports that they are walking a little bit further every day. While recovery is a slow process, spirits seems high. Yahoo! The Stovers will head to Houston on Tuesday for their Wednesday appointments at MD Anderson. Continue to keep Dale in your thoughts and prayers!
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Missy's Visiting
Missy arrived Friday at the Victoria Regional Airport!
Dale is struggling to eat, but has added Ensure (meal replacements) to his meager intake. Dale reports that nothing tastes good and he gets full very fast when he nibbles. He's still very weak but remains positive about recovering from this latest setback.
Dennis and I are sailing away (again!) for my 48th birthday. We'll be gone 7 days...so reports if any will have to come from Missy.
Keep the prayers going Dale's way....he's got a ways to go to get into "cruising" condition and his boat sails Mar. 16th!
Dale is struggling to eat, but has added Ensure (meal replacements) to his meager intake. Dale reports that nothing tastes good and he gets full very fast when he nibbles. He's still very weak but remains positive about recovering from this latest setback.
Dennis and I are sailing away (again!) for my 48th birthday. We'll be gone 7 days...so reports if any will have to come from Missy.
Keep the prayers going Dale's way....he's got a ways to go to get into "cruising" condition and his boat sails Mar. 16th!
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