Jamie,

I am glad mom is doing better! I know how tough this must be for you. I want to reiterate how fortunate she is to have you through all of this.

I can't really answer your questions about temporary or permanent issues from chemo and radiation. I do know that my short term memory is struggling and I start my day by remembering one street that keeps slipping my mind. I ask my wife regularly what the name of the street is and she thinks I am messing with her but I just can't remember. I have a little struggle with reasoning, too. I worry that it isn't getting any better but the doctors keep telling me they don't think it is from the chemo or radiation.

I think the intensity and toxicity of the treatments will make anyone look older. My hair even turned gray, at least what was left of it. I feel like I have aged 10 years in the past year.

Be sure and tell your mother how beautiful she is when she even brushes her hair. It will mean a lot to her.

Ed

SCC Stage IV, BOT, T2N2bM0
Cisplatin/5FU x 3, 40 days radiation
Diagnosis 07/21/03 tx completed 10/08/03
Post Radiation Lower Motor Neuron Syndrome 3/08.
Cervical Spinal Stenosis 01/11
Cervical Myelitis 09/12
Thoracic Paraplegia 10/12
Dysautonomia 11/12
Hospice care 09/12-01/13.
COPD 01/14
Intermittent CHF 6/15
Feeding tube NPO 03/16
VFI 12/2016
ORN 12/2017
Cardiac Event 06/2018
Bilateral VFI 01/2021
Thoracotomy Bilobectomy 01/2022
Bilateral VFI 05/2022
Total Laryngectomy 01/2023