Battling Biology: April 2011

Sunday, April 17, 2011

The Waiting Game...

Right now we are just waiting for dad to heal enough from the radiation and chemotherapy to have the tests ran that will confirm the success of the treatment. His PET scan is scheduled for June 30th, and he will see Dr. B (the specialist) at Virginia Mason in Seattle on July 6th.

Within the next two weeks dad will have a swallowing test to see if the radiation has caused any problems there. He has lost a little more weight, so he is now taking 9 cans of "food" a day. On the bright side, he has successfully drank a smoothie and ate some pudding!

Students at Kennewick High put together a poster full of well-wishes for dad! We really appreciate their thoughtfulness!

Diagnosis

Ken was diagnosed on December 30th, 2010, with squamous cell carcinoma in one tonsil and the lymph node on the left side of his neck. Because surgery in this area would permanently affect the functionality of his mouth and voice, the initial course of treatment will be a combination of chemotherapy and radiation. Additional information on this type of cancer can be found here, although when reading it is important to note that Ken has never drank heavily or smoked. He is being treated at the Tri-Cities Cancer Center.