When we were at the ENT doc on Friday, he told us to come back this week if the antibiotic for thrush did not help with the pain. So today we reluctantly returned to see Dr. Poor Beside Manner. We liked him better today.
After conferring with the Medical Oncologist in Baltimore, who conferred with the Radiation Oncologist in Baltimore, the three of them reached the following conclusions:
1. The pain stems primarily from the chemo/radiation treatments, which are causing intense mucositis. As Ernie's mouth heals, the pain will diminish. It is not uncommon to have pain for another one to three weeks. Somehow we got our expectations set way wrong on this one.
2. He may have oral thrush--it is not uncommon in these circumstances--but at this point it is not adding significantly to the pain. He is to continue taking these meds until he sees the docs in Baltimore on Tuesday.
We were so hoping to get the feeding tube out when we visit Hopkins next week but it was not meant to be. Our next opportunity to get it removed will be January 3. That would make it a Happy New Year indeed!
No comments:
Post a Comment