Post-Treatment Check-Up #1

Last Friday, I had my first post-treatment check-up. Alhamdulillah, my throat and mouth are better now. It no longer hurt when I swallow or cough so I've stopped taking morphine and finished the antibiotic. The condition of my internal throat can't be seen so it's not really known. But Dr Azrif said, it'll take up to 3 months before the inflammation subsides. So I still need to watch my diet and continue my oral care. 

I started taking solid food over the weekend. But slowly, starting with smooth and wet food that are chewed sehingga lumat to avoid friction/irritation in my throat. Taste bud, pretty much ilek but I'm looking forward to eat more food so I can pump up the energy. Definitely NO spicy food for up to 6 months. This means no rendang and kuah kacang for me this raya, boohoo! Oh well, anything to get better *pujuk diri sendiri*.

My energy level is still low but picking up slowly. I usually wake up with almost nil energy. I need to drink Ensure by 8 a.m. and that will last about an hour. Then, 2 scrambled eggs that can keep me standing up to 2 hours before I have my veggie (sometimes with tofu) porridge. Sometimes, before the porridge I have taufufa. In the afternoon, another round of Ensure and taufufa or boiled chick peas as my protein source. Basically, I need to refuel every 2 hours but I usually take about an hour to finish every meal. What took me so long? I need more time to let the food (even water) settled since I now have acid reflux/heart burn, another treatment's side effect. I also target 8-10 glasses of water/fluid a day and don't go to bed until I reach my target. I was never this disciplined. 

Dr Azrif was happy with my skin condition, the peeling should be done in a week and I'll be left with patches of new skin aka scars! I hope Bio-oil will do the work. I applied it even before the skin started to burn. Alhamdulillah, the burn is not severe, only some parts of my neck and the collar bone. But it is also possible that it isn't too bad because my Radiotherapy dosage is not that high. Daily dosage was 200 cGy; totaling to 70 Gy near the growth (more on the right side where the growth is), 60 Gy on my neck and 50 Gy for my shoulder area.

Here's a photo of my current burn condition. It's been 2 months that I only wash my face, neck and shoulder with just water! No soap or chemical except Bio-Oil after every wash. Hopefully no one gets gross out. :) Well, I can't wait to have a facial and get them scrubbed too! Alhamdulillah, my facial skin is not really affected except that it has become tanned and more dry.  

I was supposed to have a weekly check-up but after last Friday, Dr Azrif felt it isn't necessary anymore since I'm already on the path to recovery. I believe my illness, pain, challenges, sorrow, strength, calmness, recovery, hopefully good health and many more are from Allah. So, Alhamdulillah.

My next check-up is in a month, together with Dr Kuljit. My nostril will be scoped to determine if the growth has vanished! Well I sure hope so, Insyaallah.

Until then; eat, drink, sleep, pray and recuperate. I've started writing about the 7 weeks but if I don't have the chance to publish or update soon, Selamat Hari Raya! :)