AARP Online Community: Nighthawk50 - Tumor treatment for Michael

Nighthawk50

AARP Member

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Background

Gender: Male

Status: Married

Location:
MARYSVILLE, Washington
United States

Hometown(s):
Everett Wa

My Websites:
michaelkee.org/
community.webshots.com/user/nighthawk723
myspace.com/nighthawkmk

My Comments (4)

Tumor treatment for Michael

Hello my name is Michael Kee,50 years old. I was diagnosed with nasopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma On 5/2/08. I was told that I have to go through Seven weeks of Chemotherapy and Radiation therapy To remove this tumor. On 5/30/08 they removed 12 teeth, Becuse the Radiation will kill the teeth. 6/9/08 I had the mask that I will be wearing made.VERY INTENSE! Today 5/12/08 Im going to have a feeding tube put in.

6/13/08 My first time over night in the hospital, very noisy. I was surprised how easy the surgery was. I have three days to heal till I go back to work. (My wife suggested that I add what I,m feeling so it’s not so black and white.) Here we go, I’ve been flying hanggliders for 17 years. I have had a few close calls.But I can’t beleave the wide range of emotions. The fear is so intense at times.

6/16/08 First day back to work sense my Peg tube was installed, was going just fine. Then I had slight pressure around the tube. Then all of a sudden the pressure went a way. So I look under the bandage and called the hospital I have a small infection.Weeks worth of antibiotics. The waitting _ _ _ _ _ till treatment.

6/21/08 Two weeks and still nothing, this waiting is driving me nuts. I wake up at 4:00am in a cold sweat. My mind sure can wondor. Sunrisies sure are beautiful, A pair of blue jays are getting use to me sharing there mornning. I’ve been healing for the the last three weeks. I need to get out! I’m going flying today.

Well I start treatment on Monday 6/30/08

6/27/08 I had the Technicians take some pictures of me in my mask. Its pretty intense being bolted down to the table. They are giving me meds to treat anxiety.

7/5/08 Chemotherapy kicked my ass! I have three days off To heal. Laurie says my demeanor is comming back. I sleep all the time. I’m eatting solid foods now. I feel pretty puny.One week down!

Week two down! I’ve lost 12lbs and Im on the feeding tube now. The Radiation damage is starting. I’ve lost my taste buds. On the good side of things the Doc said the tumor is getting smaller, and I was able to get 24hrs lite duty at work.

7/19/08 Week three down. I’ve gain 5 of the 12lbs back. Tuesday I was scoped and the tumor was gone to the naked eye." BUT" I still have to survive four more weeks of treatment. Im unable to work any more,the mouth sores are to bad and Im on pain Meds. I was able to mow my lawn yesterday It took awhile but it made me feel good.Fallowed by a 2hr nap.

7/26/08 Mowing lawns are over! I had Chemo on the 7/21/08 I got out of the hospital today the 26/08 Im down to a 163lbs. I had to miss one radiation Treatment I was to sick. Ya know I have not been sick in my life, of coarse the flu and a cold here and there. But I have nothing to compare this with. The look I saw in my wifes eyes I don’t now to explain it. GOOD news I’v got three cans of food in me now Im at 164.4lbs AND HOLDING Ya Hoo

8/5/08 Week five down. I’ve been adjusting to my daily routine of food and naps, walks around the backyard,

I’m done with Radiation treatment. Now I have to heal from treatment, thank you for pain meds.

8/28/08 Two weeks sense Radiation treatment I'm eatting food and doing pretty darn good, Taking long walks. I have nine weeks of Chemo comming up. They won't my weight up frist. Its weird teaching my body to eat food again.

Comments (12)

Bookmarked (0)

TIARA says:

Hi, there. Was looking for an update to your journal. I smile everytime I see your picture. You remind me so much of an old special friend of mine who is no longer with us. You just look so happy in that picture.
Hope you are coping and that things are running smoothly for you and your wife.
Faith, courage, hope, love

Posted: August 25, 2008 1:20AM EDT

TIARA says:

Just stopping by to say, Hi.
If you have not read "Tony Snow's Testimonial" I just want to say I found it to be very useful to me. It is posted on a number of sites which you can reach just by google(ing) the title. It may be for you and/ or your wife or not. Just thought I'd mention it to you and others.
Hope, love, courage, faith

Posted: August 15, 2008 5:15PM EDT

TIARA says:

Hey, Glad to hear that you are including some walks around the backyard. Remember to look UP. There are some fascinating cloud formations that most of us miss every day. I find, too, that when I look at the clouds I find myself talking in my head to people I've known. In my heart I know that they are watching over me. Don't get too used to those naps. When you get your energy back you will have chores again!

Posted: August 8, 2008 9:03PM EDT

TIARA says:

Don't worry too much about the scale, Michael. The numbers are bound to go up and down. Take it easy, OK? Sometimes we measure the accomplishments of a day by how much work we have done. Well, when our bodies are stressed like this we need to measure a different way. Like, how many sounds did I really listen to today? Did I look up at the sky? Did I feel some different textures? Did I do some deep breathing and focus on those breaths? Did I say, "I love you." to someone?
Please let your dear wife know that she is also in our thoughts. This is a tough road, there is no question of it. Faith, love, hope, courage..

Posted: July 29, 2008 9:31PM EDT

TIARA says:

Hi, Michael
Mowed the lawn, huh? That sure must have been a real sense of accomplishment. Keep in mind that it is OK to have some things that we give up doing for a while. That 2 hour nap was a great refresher for your body. When I had chemo I was given a booklet that had suggestions for dealing with side effects. There is info out there about things one can do to deal with the mouth sores. If you don't have this info perhaps your med. team can give it to you if they haven't already, or I can list some here.
Keep on keepin' on! Love, courage, hope, faith

Posted: July 25, 2008 9:47PM EDT

jen43 says:

Michael, praying that God, Love, and the medical profession will see you through this, stay strong.....Jen

Posted: July 12, 2008 2:17PM EDT

76wardwi says:

I have been there too. I had Pancreatic Cancer and when local doctor found it I went straight to surgeon at HCMC in Minneapolis and had surgery the next day. Spent 28 days in hospital and another month in and out of hospital, had a procedure done called the "Whipple Procedure". In 2002 I was diagnosed with Ovairian Cancer and that is when the weeks of Chemo started and it was a knock out punch but I survived both. So will you, God's Speed and hang in there. Betty

Posted: July 11, 2008 11:20AM EDT

EmeraldQueen says:

Dear Micheal: May God bless you and get you trough this. Yes, I feel the pain of anxiety can be worse than the treatment.

My only comment to the medical community is for more humane treatment. That is dignified patient attire, not being strapped down, and IV's that are not painfully placed.

"It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see. " Henry David Thoreau

Posted: July 8, 2008 12:57PM EDT

TIARA says:

Yes, chemo will 'kick your ass'. I know. It also kicks the stuffing out of the cancer cells. It is natural for you to be tired. Your body is fighting a war. Rest, eat what you feel like eating. Hang on to love, courage and hope. In 2007 my brother had chemo and radiation for cancer of the tongue. He told me about the mask. I just have to believe him cause he has no pictures! Hey, you have held onto some humor in the midst of all of this. Thank you for your journal. I have been putting off starting one of my own. Maybe soon

Posted: July 5, 2008 7:30PM EDT