Journal entry by Julie McGaughey —
Hello! I haven't posted an update in some time and many are asking about Pat so I thought I would give a quick update.
I am happy to report that Pat still remains cancer free! He had his second set of scans at the end of May and all looked good. He will get another set in the Fall. He is also feeling better and has described himself as feeling about 90% of where he was pre-treatment so that is wonderful! He is now to the point where he can go out to eat, go to parties, etc. and be able to eat more normally. Taste is not exactly where it was but to use his words it is "good enough".
He also looks great! I say he steals the show when we are out and see people who haven't seen him in some time. His hair came back nicely and while his weight is still down, he looks healthy. He has also been getting his stamina back too. If you didn't know him from before, you wouldn't have any idea of what he went through. He has come a long way!
In terms of side effects, he is still experiencing neuropathy from the chemo, particularly in his feet. He also still has some swelling in the neck area but nothing severe. Recently he started on thyroid medication as his TSH count was elevated. This is not unusual after this treatment and he now takes a synthetic thyroid medication to manage this. His doctors will continue to monitor his blood counts and adjust as needed but he feels just fine.
Pat has come a very long way, even since my last post. It is so nice to start having a degree of normalcy again! We are very grateful for the continued improvements he has made. It will be a year at the end of this month that he received his diagnosis. Being honest, it was extremely challenging and there were days where we'd wonder when we would see the light at the end of the tunnel. Now we are in the light and it feels so good!
I won't likely be doing too many more updates unless there is something new or significant to report. At this time, we are just focused on returning to our "normal life". We appreciate everyone's support throughout and will also be eternally grateful to his doctors, nurses and his entire Care Team. I don't have adequate words to thank them for treating Pat and ultimately saving his life.
We hope you all have a great Fourth of July Holiday!
Thank you!
Julie
I am happy to report that Pat still remains cancer free! He had his second set of scans at the end of May and all looked good. He will get another set in the Fall. He is also feeling better and has described himself as feeling about 90% of where he was pre-treatment so that is wonderful! He is now to the point where he can go out to eat, go to parties, etc. and be able to eat more normally. Taste is not exactly where it was but to use his words it is "good enough".
He also looks great! I say he steals the show when we are out and see people who haven't seen him in some time. His hair came back nicely and while his weight is still down, he looks healthy. He has also been getting his stamina back too. If you didn't know him from before, you wouldn't have any idea of what he went through. He has come a long way!
In terms of side effects, he is still experiencing neuropathy from the chemo, particularly in his feet. He also still has some swelling in the neck area but nothing severe. Recently he started on thyroid medication as his TSH count was elevated. This is not unusual after this treatment and he now takes a synthetic thyroid medication to manage this. His doctors will continue to monitor his blood counts and adjust as needed but he feels just fine.
Pat has come a very long way, even since my last post. It is so nice to start having a degree of normalcy again! We are very grateful for the continued improvements he has made. It will be a year at the end of this month that he received his diagnosis. Being honest, it was extremely challenging and there were days where we'd wonder when we would see the light at the end of the tunnel. Now we are in the light and it feels so good!
I won't likely be doing too many more updates unless there is something new or significant to report. At this time, we are just focused on returning to our "normal life". We appreciate everyone's support throughout and will also be eternally grateful to his doctors, nurses and his entire Care Team. I don't have adequate words to thank them for treating Pat and ultimately saving his life.
We hope you all have a great Fourth of July Holiday!
Thank you!
Julie
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