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survives.<br />
Posted by docshu at 08:49PM (-07:00)<br />
One Week After the End of Radiation Treatment<br />
Tuesday, August 24, 2010<br />
August 24, 2010<br />
I had a brief appointment <strong>with</strong> Dr John this morning to check out my skin. As you can see<br />
from the photo, there is an area of depigmentation on my neck but my cheek looks fine.<br />
Not visible in tne photo is some skin breakdown behind my ear which I continue to treat 3<br />
times daily <strong>with</strong> dilute hydrogen peroxide followed <strong>with</strong> Silvadine cream. Dr John says it is<br />
improving. I am feeling good. <strong>My</strong> throat is still sore but improved. No change in my taste<br />
buds.<br />
I asked if there are any studies on neck radiation patients giving statistics about the time:<br />
dose: location: relationship to taste recovery. I could not find anything but anecdotal<br />
information on the internet. You would think some grad student would follow a large<br />
group of patients through the recovery period <strong>with</strong> either tests of taste or subjective<br />
quizzes to be able to construct graphs of the timeline to taste recovery. As it is, Dr John<br />
suggests that <strong>with</strong> my dose and using Intensity Modulated Radiation, I should expect<br />
substantial recovery in the next two months. He also says I should have no problems<br />
traveling in October so I will begin to make plans to go to Philadelphia and Montreal in<br />
mid October.<br />
Our house is on the market. We have had two open houses and three visits by realtors<br />
<strong>with</strong> prospective buyers. We are asking $200,000 less than when we put it on the market<br />
3 years ago, but no hint of an offer yet. I will continue working 3 half days in August and<br />
then go to about 2 1/2 days per week in September.<br />
Bert and I scored 212 on a 156 average to win Monday’s bridge game. However our<br />
winning streak did end on Sunday, finally not finishing in the overalls.<br />
I know that at one time Judy asked people not to call, as I was having a hard time<br />
reviewing all my history <strong>with</strong> friends and family, but I have adjusted well to my condition<br />
and my prognosis and am happy to speak to anyone who wishes to call.<br />
I have found a back-up Doctor in case the kissing doctor is unavailable. Here is Dr<br />
Sammie, my granddaughter in Philadelphia.<br />
<strong>My</strong> <strong>Battle</strong> <strong>with</strong> <strong>Merkel</strong> <strong>Cell</strong> <strong>Cancer</strong><br />
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