Category: My Cancer Journey

My Cancer Journey, pilocarpine, salagen, saliva gland transplantLeave a comment

The Questionable Value of Salagen / Pilocarpine

rbspecht

I’ve been trying to reach some sort of conclusion about the value of taking Salagen (aka pilocarpine) to offset the dry mouth syndrome. Well, at least I am starting to question the value for my particular situation. Pilocarpine (or the commercial name Salagen) is touted as being one solution to dry mouth. It is supposed to actually stimulate saliva production. Now, given that I’m down to one saliva gland because of the radiation treatment, I thought that it might be something worth trying. I was initially disappointed with my doctors because they didn’t suggest it right off the bat. I’m … Continue reading The Questionable Value of Salagen / Pilocarpine

My Cancer JourneyLeave a comment

Results

rbspecht

The meeting with our GP went very well yesterday. The radiologist’s report basically says that the ‘mass’ on the right kidney hasn’t changed since we started monitoring it last April/May and therefore it is likely a cyst, or something else quite innocuous. But of course the radiologist covered their butt by adding an oddly worded disclaimer suggesting that there was a very remote possibility that it could be some sort of carcinoma. Our GP pointed out that I would know if there was a real problem… there would be a change in my body chemistry that I would notice. Kidney … Continue reading Results

My Cancer Journey, PhysioLeave a comment

Yesterday’s Physio

rbspecht

Yesterday’s appointment with the physio therapist at the Cross was very positive… I’m definitely making progress. My range of motion is within mere degrees of being back to what it was a year ago… which is not to say that it was ‘normal’ to begin with. Apparently I wasn’t as flexible as I could have been. Too many years spent hunched over a keyboard, I guess. But, as I said, the range of motion is back, and with negligible pain at the extremes. Strength is coming back into the all the right areas. We have adjusted my exercise list to … Continue reading Yesterday’s Physio

CT Scan, My Cancer Journey, pilocarpine, salagenLeave a comment
rbspecht

I am absolutely fascinated by the number of people out there who have no channel to reach their spouse/significant other during the day to do the mundane things, like plan their lives as a couple. I am trying to set up an evening at the Oilers hockey game, in the company box. I have invited members of the client team that we are currently working with… and it is astounding how few of them are able to get a yes/no commitment during the working day. What’s even more astounding is discovering how many of them actually don’t know how to … Continue reading

artificial saliva, My Cancer Journey, Plax, Prevident, SulcabrushLeave a comment

Dentists and Financial Meltdown

rbspecht

Yesterday afternoon I braved the dentist’s chair for the first time in over a year. My dentist is Dr. David Scott, a professor at the University of Alberta, Faculty of Dentistry, who has a small private practice that he is encouraged to run out of the Faculty. He is also an old family friend, having been one of G.’s first employers (as a nanny, I think) when she first came to Canada… I’ve never been really clear on the history there… but he has looked after me for over twenty years.The hygienist, Cheryl, was complaining that now that she’s hit … Continue reading Dentists and Financial Meltdown

braised meats, hearing assist, My Cancer Journey, WalterdaleLeave a comment

Ear Doctors, Braised Meats, Walterdale

rbspecht

We finally heard back from the hearing specialist (awkward wording, no pun intended!) via my surgeon’s office, Dr. Williams. I will be calling in for clarification, but the message that Dianne left basically said that the specialist doesn’t think that he needs to see me, that the results of the hearing test are enough to make a diagnosis, and the diagnosis is that I should get hearing aids. WHAT?!!! Uh, I would really like to sit in a small, closed room and have a conversation with the specialist who is looking at the test results produced by a pay-as-you-go clinic … Continue reading Ear Doctors, Braised Meats, Walterdale

My Cancer JourneyLeave a comment

Goal setting… its about reasonable goals…

rbspecht

Now that I’ve returned to work in what is reputed to be record time, I wonder why some cancer patients do what I’ve done, and some simply can’t… Okay, staging of the disease does have a lot to do with it. And, location and physical impact of the disease. Ya, and the whole ‘support network’ thing does, as well. But if you baseline my situation and use it as a measuring stick to find others on the same level, its still very surprising how many people just can’t seem to get on with the business of living. (By the way, … Continue reading Goal setting… its about reasonable goals…

carboplatin, chemo therapy, cisplatin, My Cancer Journey, sinuses, sound, tinnitusLeave a comment

Cisplatin and tinnitus

rbspecht

One thing that I haven’t mentioned over the past few days that should be noted is the effect of Cisplatin (the chemo therapy drug) on my ears. Tinnitus. Since last Friday (yes, it took two days to manifest itself) I feel like its always the day after a big rock concert. My ears are lightly full of white noise, punctuated by high pitch whines. Physical pressure changes from the weather, wandering from room to room, just a subtle change in altitude up and down a hill can make a difference as to what I hear and experience. Certain metallic sounds … Continue reading Cisplatin and tinnitus

My Cancer JourneyLeave a comment

For all its worth!

rbspecht

I am finding that there is a certain amount of guilt associated with having cancer. But its not my guilt; its the guilt of those around me! It seems that people feel guilty ’cause they can’t see a truly constructive way to do something to help, to make the cancer go away, to make me well. And because there are really no outward symptoms that they can grab onto and offer comfort for, they flounder. I’ve mentioned in a previous post or two that Gail feels particularly helpless at this point because of this very thing; how do you help … Continue reading For all its worth!