Sorry to be so late with another update. I had this silly notion that when I finished the 30 radiation treatments that I would magically feel wonderful. I tell you, it just isn’t so. I am improving slowly; I can swallow better and talk better. My tongue is still extremely painful and so I am not magically able to eat solid food. I can manage cream of wheat and cottage cheese by eating slowing and drinking a lot of water while eating. I fix soups with a lot of fiber and calories in the blender to supplement the Boost and Ensure I am drinking. I am managing about 1100 – 1200 calories a day. Since I had my surgery on September 4th to today I have lost about 22 lbs. These were not pounds that I needed to lose.
The 27th is my family Christmas gathering and I am so wanting to be able to eat something good. I have no taste buds so everything tastes the same. My daughter is graciously cooking our meal. I am fixing a spiral cut glazed ham.
I missed the cookie exchange this year and I haven’t had the energy to do any baking so my son will have some goodies to take home. I will try and fix a few things next week.
I ended up with a ‘winged scapula’ and I am undergoing physical therapy for that. I finished my sixth session today.
I saw my oncologist yesterday. I have been scheduled for a Pet Scan for 23 February to find out if there is still cancer in my body. I am praying that there is not.
I sent only a few cards this year. I apologize to the ones of you who sent me cards and I promise to catch you next year. Thank you all for remembering me in prayer and with kind thoughts. I love you all!
Have a truly blessed Christmas.
Beth
Beth, So glad to hear from you on this post. I have missed you so much. You know you are my weather girl..what weather you get I normally get a bit later. I am praying your scan is clean. I pray you will get your strength form God to get through this . I am wishing you a blessed Christmas with all your loved ones. Love to you, my friend, Susie
ReplyDeletei am glad things are improving, although much too slowly to make you feel better! i do hope you enjoy your family christmas time!
ReplyDeleteCurious if you are using any supplements to try to help your tongue and being able to eat, etc...?
ReplyDeleteYou are still in my prayers.
Hi, dear Beth! At least you are taking baby steps back. For that you and we can be thankful. Maybe when you smell the delicious food served at Christmas dinner it will activate your taste buds at least a little. I pray that the Pet Scan will turn out negative. You continue to be in my thoughts, dear friend Beth. Bless you and merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the update. I am praying for you and I pray the pain will improve each day and that you will be better able to eat and have an appetite. You are never far from my thoughts. God bless your Christmas time with family. Love, Mildred
ReplyDeleteGood to hear from you.
ReplyDeleteSlowly but surely you are recovering.
Merry Christmas.
Best wishes....
what a journey you have been on, oh my gosh, I keep you in my prayers, I hope you are able to enjoy Christmas even though you are still unwell, take care,,
ReplyDeleteI continue to pray for you, Beth. Merry Christmas.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
I am praying hard that the PET scan does not turn up any cancer cells anywhere else in your body. You have made it this far so let's hope that the worst of it is all behind you. I am keeping you in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteGuess what? Your son won't care one whit whether you baked any goodies, or not. He will be thrilled to just see you and love on you! Blessings to you. I hope you can eat something for Christmas! xo Diana
Beth, thanks so much for stopping by to give us an update. If you can eat, at least you will have the aroma of the Christmas dinner as it passes under your nose. I will be praying for you for your February appointment. I'm sure you will be feeling much better by then and hopefully on the road to recovery. So sorry that it has been such a time of trial. Remember we have a date in May!
ReplyDeleteNice to see you writing. I was getting worried. I hope that you are able to gather some more energy to enjoy the holidays.
ReplyDeleteIt is a blessing to hear from you! I send along my thoughts and prayers for your return to good health! I've been thinking about you! Hugs, Nellie
ReplyDeleteLots of hugs and merry kissmas, Linda@Wetcreek Blog
ReplyDeleteThanks for taking the time to update us on how you are doing. I'm still praying for you daily. Good to hear you are improving but sorry it is so slow going.
ReplyDeleteI wish you and your family a Merry Christmas.
We love you too Beth!!!
Praying that something delicious will appeal in another week. It sounds as if you are more than ready for something solid and yummy. Even some texture might be good.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed seeing the photo of your son and daughter above. I remember mine at that age, too.
Thank you for the update, Beth. Praying for an excellent report in February and a blessed Christmas next week.
And that winged scapula condition sounds unpleasant...praying that the therapy for that is working. You have endured more than enough.
ReplyDeleteOh Beth what a difficult journey you have been on. I hope you will be able to enjoy your family Christmas, I will continue to keep you in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteHi Beth, I am so glad to see an update from you. I have been praying for your healing. The enjoyment of being with family makes some of the healing a little better. All of my family will be home for Christmas. The celebration will take place over several days as my oldest doesn't get home until the 27th. God is there with you every step ofr the way and will only give you what you can handle.Tale care/ Many hugs and prayers from Your Missouri Friend Shirley.
ReplyDeleteI am praying that you will have full and complete healing and that the holidays and their meals will hold joy for you.
ReplyDeleteYou are really making great strides in your activities considering the side effects of your radiation. I admire you, Beth...I would be flat on my back and feeling sorry for myself. You are very brave and humble. Making a ham? Just love you to pieces.
ReplyDeleteLet us know how your scan goes. My hubby gets one every year after surviving colon cancer. He had his second one the other day and we are praying.
Merry Christmas, dear lady.
Jane xxx
to read your thoughts again. I'm still praying for your complete healing. God bless you. I. too, wish you a truly blessed time with your family this Christmas. Enjoy. Your son will forgive you if you don't have the cookies thid year. :) Hugs. Bertie
ReplyDeleteGood to see you here Beth, I do hope your energy levels improve. I hope you can enjoy a meal on the 27th Beth, that would be wonderful and also to be with your family.
ReplyDeletePrayers are sent across the pond , Love
Sheila x
Oh my dear Beth you are doing so well I think of you everyday wondering how you are. Christmas with your family is going to be wonderful. Merry Christmas Beth and thank you so much for keeping us updated. Sending lots of hugs and prayers. Enjoy your Christmas. HUGS B
ReplyDeletePraying you feel "normal" really soon, dear Lady! HOPE you have a very blessed CHRISTmas!
ReplyDeleteI pray you continue to improve and feel more like yourself again. Merry Christmas and take it easy. So glad to see a post from you! :)
ReplyDeleteKeep going step by step Beth. I pray that through it all you have a merry Christmas and a new year filled with hope.
ReplyDeleteStay strong in your faith Beth! Our prayers continue for you, especially on this Christmas day. Hugs and stay well!
ReplyDeleteI am glad to see you here. I will be praying for your PET SCAN - we want it clear. And I hate that you have that scapula - I looked it up and it doesn't look so good either. I hope you can eat at Christmas and that your taste buds might come back. And your son - won't care about cookies as long as you are there. Merry Christmas friend.
ReplyDeleteI read something today I liked - "If Jesus is all you have, they you have enough." Love, sandie
Merry Christmas! ~xo~
ReplyDeleteNo apologies needed! NONE! Sending cards and writing your blog would have drained your energy when you are trying so much to be better. We all just wish you to feel happy and comfortable and have a nice holiday with your family. NO guilt trips about not baking. Day by day you will improve because you have the faith and strength to do it.
ReplyDeleteBeth- thanks for the update. You continue in my prayers. Enjoy the family time this Christmas. We will all hope and pray for better things and good news in the new year!
ReplyDeleteDon't worry about us. But it is SO good to know how you are, what you're doing and how. You ARE coning along thank the Lord.
ReplyDeleteYou are often in my thoughts Beth - praying for your continued recovery and good news at your scan. Merry Christmas xx
ReplyDeleteBeth I'm sorry I'm so late with this comment. It's been a very busy week.. I did get your card and I thank you very much. You're the main reason I still blog because it seems my blog is dying a slow death.
ReplyDeleteI received your card and I thank you. I still owe you a picture from last year. It won't make it for this Christmas but I will get it to you.
Hurry back I miss you! I hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday!
Merry Christmas Beth!
Dear Beth,
ReplyDeleteI was a ways from November I'm sorry I never coming to see you!
You are doing very well . Have a nice Christmas time and eating a good food!
Heal for the New Year! Hugs! Chris
ReplyDeleteBlessings Beth:
ReplyDeleteI am glad you are coming through the storm day by day. You are a strong woman and blessed with a great deal of support and love.
Have a happy New Year. I wish you health and strength.
stay blessed.
I'm looking forward to your continued progress and stamina regarding health. I know you are as well, and I wish you a very good New Year in every aspect of your life.
ReplyDeleteJust peeking in to say hello and to wish you a Very Blessed New Year.
ReplyDeleteHope you are feeling better!!
ReplyDelete