What my oncologist said…
Severe dry mouth: “It sounds like you are doing everything right. ” (using Biotene mouthwash, oral spray and mouthwash and staying very well hydrated.) “We would just encourage you to moisten your food prior to eating with sauces, broth or gravy. Apply petroleum jelly, Aquaphor to lips and gums. Additionally using a cool mist humidifier can help.
Edema in legs: wear compression socks and I just got some new ones because I gave most of mine away
CT Scan: No sign of metastasis. However, they saw very bad arthritis (“advanced spinal degenerative change”), which I have been aware of since 2008 when I had to stop working as a LPN due to the arthritis in my spine ( I was doing home visits with people who were quadriplegics.) That’s when the VA came in and offered to send me back to school to finish my Bachelor’s degree . I still have some questions about the CT findings because I didn’t have the results opened on my phone so some questions went unanswered. I will probably draft a secure message with those questions.
Sleep issues: Too much mental stimulation (phone), try reading instead
CEA blood test (tests inflammation): Still high, but it’s slowly going down
Stiffness in hamstrings and hips: Move more, add weight bearing exercises
Currently, I am being seen every four months because of the osteopenia. She is concerned abut it becoming full blown osteoporosis so I will have another bone density scan in October. Meanwhile she wants me to incorporate some weight bearing exercise into my days. When I researched that, I saw that my balance exercises were considered weight bearing exercise so I can kill both birds with one stone. I also found out that resistance exercises are also weight bearing exercises so I’m going to research that.
At 3 my year mark (3 years cancer free) we will switch to every 6 months. This will be in March 2027.
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