Progress and Challenges During Recovery
This week began with a sense of optimism, as it felt like I was finally turning a corner in my recovery after radiation treatment. However, I have noticed that this phase of recovery can be unpredictable, often feeling like one step forward and two steps back on certain days.
Positive Developments
· Improved Sleep: Overall, my sleep has shown some improvement compared to previous weeks. Unlike earlier in the recovery process, I am no longer moving between beds and chairs during the night.
· Progress Toward Eating Normally: At the start of the week, I made an effort to eat small amounts of food in hopes of eventually discontinuing the feeding tube. On a couple of days, I was able to successfully consume a smoothie, some cream of wheat cereal, and soup.
· Healing from Radiation Burn: The burn on my neck from radiation appears to be nearly fully healed, which is a significant relief.
Ongoing Challenges
· Sprained Ankle: After getting up too quickly from a nap on the couch, I twisted my ankle, resulting in a slight sprain. My foot swelled, and I have been unable to go for outdoor walks, which has been frustrating. Regular icing and elevating my leg have helped, and after about five days, the swelling is mostly gone. I am now able to hobble around, but I miss my daily walks. I hope to resume small walks in a few days.
· Oral Virus: I have developed a virus in my mouth, leading to bumps and lesions on my tongue. The soreness has made eating very difficult, so I have decided to pause my attempts at eating for a few days to allow my tongue to heal. I am picking up a prescription today that I hope will help clear up the lesions. This setback has delayed my plan to get off the feeding tube. While it is important for my recovery to resume eating, I am realizing that my mouth needs time to heal first. Patience is crucial, and I am hopeful that each day will bring me closer to regaining my appetite and healing my taste buds. Eating remains a challenging process, and although I know how important it is, I need to persist.
· Seeking Support: Recognizing that I may need additional help, I have decided to attend a Head and Neck Cancer support group tonight. I hope to gain insights and advice from others who have experienced similar challenges during their recovery.