I haven't been able to update my thread since June 23rd, but have responded to many posts, which is sometimes easier than collecting thoughts about myself. I probably had 8 doctor visits since, and a lot has happened in the medical front, but not social, so I'll stick to that.

Finally, I went to PT last month, after canceling 3x, for an evaluation, a little exercise, and was scheduled for bi-weekly visits, but haven't been back since due other appointments and issues.

Seen the Oral/Maxillafacial Surgeon three times. Still has me on Augmenton 875mg antibiotics (sp), and told me to stay on them until he says to stop! I had the abscess in my mouth/jaw area again, and had to see him a week later, and discussed the HBOT, and had to speak with my RO and ENT. Finally, with the cancer being clear, he called my local hospital to set up an HBOT consultation. I'll do the Marx Protocol, and have my teeth extracted, after 20 dives, and 10 after.

Had to see my ENT twice. As soon as my abscess was resolving my left shoulder/arm got worse with severe pain in the deltoids, traps had atrophied, more arm, hand neuropathy, and head becomes heavy after a while, and starts dropping, "Head Drop" like, but not as bad. He ordered a MRI to rule out cancer, and heard him say he suspects brachial Plexopathy (neuropathy). The MRI came back clear of cancer, although they couldn't do any contrast due to my low GFR, high creatinine. The same with a CT scan. My ENT is leaving, and invited me to folow-up with him at other top CCC after he leaves. We got busy talking other things, one being to a fellow saying I'm one of the few prople in the world walking around with no carotid artery! i was so happy for the NED, I forgot to discuss my shoulder/arm issue. This is actually my first scan, besides 3 month post Treatment scans, that I am clear of cancer in 5 years, so is monumental to me.

Saw pain/palliative management doctor the same day. She had no problem writing a prescription for oxycodone, lyrica and Voltaren Gel, an antiiflammatory. Problem was having it filled. Three pharmacies in manhattan didn't have, couldn't place an order or didn't carry the oxycodone. The same with about 7 local pharmacists. Went back to pain Management, so she wrote a new prescription for Percocet, Gabaoentin, figuring it would be easier. Wrong, no one wants to fill Percocet either. Gabapentin was filled instead of Lyrica. I met an old friend who made a phone a phone call to see who fills these prescriptions, and finally found one! The medicine helps relive the pain, nut makes me nauseas,and vomit, and usual stuff that goes with it. Taking colace, drinking more water, and the e-bag lol. I may have to take anti nausea meds once I'll be on this long term.

I saw my RO for the last time the other day. He is leaving too, but to another state. He is sending me his contact info if ever needed, and told me to follow-up with my ENT. My Proton RO will take over my case, but there is no one like him, who saved my life when others didn't want to treat me three years ago.

Met with the Hyperbaric Chamber doctor, staff, who remembered me. Said to say hello to a fellow oral cancer patient, OCF member! I asked about the carotid artery issue or lack thereof, and said he hasn't come across or read about that yet, so it's new territory, and now I have to get clearance from my surgeon lol. Had a chest x-ray after, and hope the Aspirational pneumonia is gone, so wasn't unhappy to have that done.

With all this my energy level is 0. My mom and I decided to get "meals on wheels" again, and started yesterday. It helps save us energy cooking, and cleaning up afterwards.

Monday I see my optomolgist for follow-up, need blood work, and then probably will hear about the HBOT, and doctor visits start all over agin with others I haven't seen..oncologist, nephrologist, neurologist.

Other than that, nothing new lol.