The pain really isn't too bad as long as I don't talk, cough, yawn, sneeze or try to open my mouth too much. It's very similar to how my throat felt after my surgeries, but this will be lasting 5+ weeks instead of the 2 weeks of recovery post op.
I've pretty much switched to using my g-tube for nutrition. Yesterday I was able to get 5 cans down it. The bolus syringe is really a PITA. I have to hold it the whole time and if I relax it will pop out of the tube making a mess. I'm also having to constantly refill it because it only holds 60 ml and a can of formula is about 240 ml. I have to apply a steady pressure so it goes in, but not too fast or else it might cause me to get sick. It'll be nice to switch to a gravity bag so I can just fill it once and let it drain. I'll have to follow-up with my primary doctor tomorrow to make sure the order went through. If not I'll just order some online and pay for them out-of-pocket.
I saw my dermatologist this morning about the contact dermatitis around my g-tube. He confirmed does look like classic contact dermatitis. He gave me a better ointment to put on it. It looks like it's healing so I'm not that worried about it anymore.
This is a new dermatologist that saw me out of the same office I usually go to. He was super nice and was very compassionate about what I'm going through. It's always nice to get a doctor that really seems interested in helping you.
Let's see, what else. Oh yes! The ringing in my ears has all but gone away. It's very faint now and I barely notice it anymore. That's a relief. That took almost two weeks to go away. Hopefully next time it won't last as long.
That's about it. I keep thinking about all the other people made it through this and it helps give me the confidence that I can make it too. My radiation nurse did tell me this morning that the treatment for throat cancer is one of the most difficult to endure. On the bright side it's highly curable. So, in the end, it should all be worth it.
