Good news vocally!

Well, I just got back from the ENT & speech pathologist. I will tell you I have never gagged so many times in a row in my life--how embarrassing. But then it did feel like he was sticking a small curling iron down my throat and then asking me to sing that way!! Both docs were wonderful. It was very cool to see my vocal cords on the TV screen and to see that they are in very healthy condition, coming together very straight and flush. The only thing they could think of that could have done this to my voice is my chemo drug, but then they're not really sure about that. They were quite sure that it will heal itself over time, but that I will have to just wait it out. I'm ok with that as long as I know there is no permanent damage. I thank God for all your love & supportive prayers!

Hi everyone--
Any of you that have talked with me since I got out of the hospital in May have noticed my voice. It has been "out of commission" since I had my bronchoscopy in the hospital. Tomorrow I'll be seeing an ENT in San Francisco that specializes in singers to hopefully figure out what is wrong. I am just hoping there was no permanent damage and that it can be fixed or healed soon, so I'm a little anxious about the appointment. Please keep me in your thoughts & prayers.
As far as my other health issues are concerned, I finished round 9 of chemo and will start round 10 on Thursday. I'll have another PET scan at the end of this round to make sure things are working, and we'll go from there. Thank you so much for all your support & prayers!

OK, so I talked with the doc today, and I'm really not discouraged at all. Since I've been off chemo for two months (due to being in the hospital, etc.) and had not gone into full remission when I stopped treatment, he fully expected there to be growth. He's not worried, and neither am I. I will restart Gemzar tomorrow at 1:30. We both expect to turn this thing around, now that I'll be back on the treatment plan. The great news is, there was no spreading of the cancer to any other organs. Hallelujah! Thank you for your love, support, thoughts & prayers--and please keep them going because they are what keep ME going. I'll keep you updated with any changes.

Well, the doc's office finally called with not great news. The spots are growing again & I will need to get right back to my chemo regimen. At this point I have no details. My doc was in with other patients and didn't want me to have to wait any longer, so he had the receptionist call and read me the report. Well not like I understand all the medical terms, but the bottom line was that the spots are growing again. I will meet with the doc at 2:00 tomorrow to ask questions. At that point I will update and let you know what the plan is. Please keep me in your prayers that we will come up with the right plan. I'm hopeful that just getting back on chemo should turn things around in the right direction. He did feel the only reason there was growth was because of the 2 month gap from chemo. Thanks so much, everyone.