Ohhh So That's What They Meant!!!

Hello sports fans....

Sorry for leaving you for almost a week without anything new!
But good things come to readers that wait.

The rest of the chemo went over fine. I didn't have any problems.
Unfortunately I had to spend the first half of thanksgiving at Sloan, but that time flew by thanks to a special visit by the Lohnes! They're Great!! :-)

And then Friday happened...

So let's backup. Pretty much, each time I see my doctor she asks me if I have an appetite and rigorously checks me for mouth sores. Now, every single time I've had an appetite and no mouth sores. I mean, I'm brushing my teeth four times a day along with 2 separate mouth rinses. How could anything grow in there?!

"But Nick, What's the deal with the mouth sores?"

We'll I'm glad you asked. As we've all learned, cancer treatment kills rapidly dividing cells. This includes the rapidly dividing "epithelial cells" that are in the mouth. This condition is called Mucositis. Just think of it as lots of Canker Sores.

So Friday morning I woke up with somewhat of a horse voice and it was also a little trying to swallow. And it was all downhill from there.

Eating has now become a challenge, I'm pretty much on a soup and ice cream diet.
I'm speaking pretty softly, mostly in an effort to save whatever I have left.

So it's Sunday night and I realize, "So that's what they meant when they kept talking about those mouth sores." Tylenol and the mouth rinses help the pain, and I'm sure when I see my doctor tomorrow morning she'll have some magical new prescription that will ease my suffering!

Even if she doesn't, I'm not worried. They should go away in a few days anyway.
So like usual, I'm not worried... this is just a hurdle :-)

What's coming up
I'll be at Sloan Mon - Wed, for a little more chemo. I'm not concerned, I've had this stuff before, and it DOESN'T cause mouth sores :-)

One Last Thing
I'm 20!!!!

For those that didn't know, I also turned 20 yesterday! My Wonderful Italian Mother made a small dinner (read: 3 courses + HorsÂ’ Deurves) and we had over some of our family and Kate came down with her Family. It was quite the day!!!! Among other wonderful things, I am now the proud owner of huge furry monster slippers. (Thank You Girlfriend)

Reflection
To be honest, I didn't want to include my oral dilemmaa in this post. I want everything I write to be nothing but good news! I've realized that won't be the case. There will be high tides and low tides. Luckily, this Boat can handle it all... I have the Greatest Captain!