Woodworking by Doug

Woodworking by Doug Handcrafted Custom Woodworking using reclaimed materials whenever possible. From Rustic to Nautical and everything in between.

Woodworker, Musician, Amateur Radio Addict, Boatbuilder, Handyman, and in my spare time, i am superhero "Dammitman" lol

09/28/2022

Hi all, I have ended chemo-therapy and now undergoing immuno-therapy. Hope to get back to the shop as I start feeling better.

05/12/2022

Hi folks, yes, I know it has been awhile, I was told that it would take radiation therapy a bit longer to recover from having radiation therapy a second time, I just didn't think it would be this long ! I have started the process of transferring some of the services from the cancer center in downtown Jax, to my primary care Dr. here in Callahan, got a good feeling it will help things along better.

04/13/2022

Well folks, my radiation has officially ended, or has it ? I was asked if I wanted to "ring the bell" in celebration, and I quietly responded with '"I rang it once already and it backfired, I think I'll wait for a bit". Now for the fun part, recovering. Yesterday, I had the regular session with the Radiation Oncologist and nurse. "Expect to continue with the fatigue and pain for a couple of weeks. After that, you should start to notice a reduction in the pain, both inside and on the outside of the mouth, and the glorious return of my voice, lol." I have a 'Tele-Med' session set up with the PA next week and go from there as to when and how often we need to check in and follow up, etc.

04/08/2022

I did NOT expect radiation to kick my *ss this much! 4 more sessions to go

02/17/2022

Here's the latest update on my health, due to the surgeon finding a ".8 mm" in diameter of cancer on a lymph node on the left side of my face (discovered whilst installing the blood vein to bring blood over to the right side), I am going to have some more radiation on the left side, and directed at two spots only. I met with the radiologist yesterday and was assured there is no need to worry and to look at this as 'preventative maintenance', to ensure that 4-5 years from now, I don't have to go thru chemo/surgery again. I am okay with this BUT, this means 30 round trips @ 42 miles each way. My disability isn't enough to cover the gas cost. So, I will put the wood inventory on sale, the framed puzzles are now on sale, and if anyone wants to just donate, send me a message and I'll get back with you, thanks!

Other than that, I am recovering very nicely, I have eaten pudding, ice cream, and discovered that if you put a small piece of Nilla Wafer on your tongue, it will dissolve in a few seconds and easily swallowed !......lol

02/10/2022

Had Dr. appt. today, am now 'cleared' to eat more ice cream !!!!!! I was given the 'okee-dokee' to increase the amount(s) of food I can take via my mouth, but, I do have to stay with 'softer' things, like pudding, applesauce, ice cream, etc., basically nothing 'hard and crunchy', AND, nothing HOT, as there are still a couple of areas inside my mouth that have not fully healed yet. I also had a consultation/evaluation with an Occupational Tharapist and should get started with that in a week or so. I can now "slowly" get more physically active and there is a pint of Haagen-Dazs with my name on it in the freezer, woohoo !

02/04/2022

Dr. has cleared me to start eating real food after 16 months of a liquid diet of Ensure, etc., via a feeding tube and pump. I do have to start 'low and slow', i.e. pudding, ice cream, etc in SMALL quantities, and not all at once, spread it out. I can continue drinking 'clear' liquids, and work towards drinking one protein shake, aka Ensure, by mouth, per day. Won't be long and I'll be eatin' ribs and Q !

01/31/2022

Survived our 'weekend of winter' here, one more to go, probably right around mid February, then we'll start seeing signs of spring, woohoo !

01/28/2022

My appt. with Dr A went great ! All staples and stitches now removed, healing continues on all fronts. Dr. A is the 'reconstructive' surgeon, the man that put me back together, lol. He did say that the inside of my mouth looks better than most of his other patients.

01/24/2022

Had my 'modified Barium swallow test' today, NO LEAKS ! (woohoo!), I can now start sipping "clear liquids". Then I had an appt. with Dr. S., (Dr S. is the surgeon that removed the cancer), on Thursday, I go see Dr. A., Dr A., is the surgeon that put me back together, lol. Well, Dr. S. is "delighted" with my recovery so far and said " a couple more months, most of the swelling should be gone". The nurse removed 3 more staples from my upper back(1 left) and the last 3 stitches are gone.

01/19/2022

Yesterday had appt. with my nurse, all wounds healing very nicely, facial swelling down considerably, and had a few more stitches removed. Next appt. is on Monday for a "modified barium swallow test", if the Dr. sees 'no leaks', I'll get to start taking 'clear liquids' via my mouth, yay ! Feeling much better now, am sleeping better as well. I find this next thing I have to do humorous....I had 'home health care' assigned for 'wound care' purposes. Now, remember, this was the 2nd time around for the surgery I had, so, there was already some 'wound care experience' here. Home health care showed up maybe 3 times, the first time was as scheduled, the other two times was not, a list of needed supplies was made, and has yet to be filled, for example, 1 roll of gauze was ordered, 4 rolls was sent, ???????? Seven (7) pieces of what is called "xeroform", medicated gauze, used on my face, this is to be changed out daily, as I stated 7 pcs was ordered, the main office SHIPPED 1 pc, ????????? We ended up having to call the surgeon's office and drive 42 miles (one way) to pick up what was needed, So, pretty much, home health care is/was NOT needed, at least, not here at the present time. Well, today, home health care is coming out to be told don't come back anymore.........makes perfect sense, doesn't it ?.....let's send a trained, Registered Nurse, out into a rural area, to fill out an electronic form on an I-pad, stating that it is no longer necessary to send a Registered Nurse out into a rural area to provide health care that the patient didn't need in the first place, I just hope someone that DOES need home health care isn't being cast aside to do this. AND, I am willing to bet that I will receive a package or two of medical supplies in the near future. And some folks wonder why medical care is so expensive ??????.....So, does anyone need some gauze?, I'll make you a great deal on some......rofl

01/14/2022

OK, had surgery on Dec. 23rd, discharged from hospital on Dec. 31st. Today, Jan. 13th I had my first follow-up appt. with Dr. A, the reconstructive surgeon. If you were counting, that has been a total of 21 days, so far. I am now 'drain free', the surgical bandage(s) on my right leg where the skin graft (thigh) and the 'vein' (calf) were gotten from have been removed. Another handful of 'staples' has been removed as well. Dr says I am about " a week ahead of schedule and doing great " Not gonna argue or complain about that. Will stay the course and have more appt's and tests scheduled in the next few weeks.

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Callahan, FL
32011

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