I haven't had an entry here in quite some time because I've been doing so well. 

Today, I got really good news. I have been struggling to get all of my nutrition by mouth and not use the feeding tube.  I'm still using a lot of the formula I used to put in the tube, but I'm drinking it. Today marked three weeks of not using the tube and maintaining my weight.  So, the good news - the damn tube is coming out!!!!!  Probably, tomorrow or Friday, I will have it removed after 25 weeks! It will be such a relief!  No more covering it for showers and having leakage accidents. And most important, I will feel normal again.

In other areas, I continue to get healthy. My energy and enthusiasm have largely returned. When I first started back to work, I would have to take a nap about noon because I was so tired. Now, I work until 5pm every day and come home with energy.  On Saturday, Coy and I hiked more than a mile up to a high ridge in the hills above Palo Alto. It was beautiful and invigorating.  I need to build muscle tone, but I'm getting there.

I still cannot swallow solid food very well, and spices and alcohol burn like hell (sadly).  But I have an appetite!  I enjoy the taste of what I'm eating.  And I can even go out to dinner if they serve soup.  Coy had a birthday party for me last week where everyone brought soft foods.  It was a lot of fun, and I ate some interesting things! I can eat more things every week. So again, I'm feeling normal.

No more cancer!!!
And finally, recovery from the horrible cancer treatment!!!