Times flyin'

    It's been two weeks since the thyroidectomy and neck dissection.  Life goes on.  For now we are waiting patiently to see what the final outcome of Scott's surgery will be - which we will probably not know for a few months as his body works itself out.  I try not to think about it too much, but it pops into my head at least once every few hours.  We talk about it regularly.  I am waiting for life to be cancer-free again.  A life where we don't have to be reminded of cancer every day by bright, fresh scars, restless nights, constant doctor's appointments, and insurance statements. We have faith that we will get there.  We're so much closer (maybe even there) already we hope.
   Scott's Calcitonin results came back: 624.  Under 1,000 which is good!  (Normal is 0-15 and we are hoping his drop to non-existent)  Scott's levels were around 3,000 before surgery.  He went in to see his Endocrinologist, Dr. Panunti, at Ochsner yesterday, and she is happy with his progress.  Scott is still feeling stiff and his right shoulder is very sore.  We've been doing all sorts of stretches and range of motion exercises every day, but he may need some Physical Therapy to get him through this.
    He's getting his energy back slowly but surely.  We managed a Super Bowl party on Sunday which was Scott's longest outing since surgery.  We left the house around noon and didn't get home until after 11:00pm.  In the middle of the afternoon we had to go to our friend's apartment for him to take a nap, and he was completely pooped on Monday, but he did great while we were out!  He was sneaky and drove this last week while I was at work (which he probably shouldn't be doing quite yet since he can't turn his head side to side really at all.  And his right arm doesn't work that well).  I, of course, gave him a good scolding when I found out - due to the fact that we have friends here who could have driven him if he wouldn't have refused it - and he went right out and did it again two days later.  "Megan. Seriously. You know I'm still a better driver than half the driver's in New Orleans even with my handicaps.  At least I use my mirrors, which is more than most people here can say...."  What's a girl to do?!  I can't lock him in the house when I'm at work.  So I just hope his angels can keep up with him.  And everyone else on the roads when he drives around.
    The biggest frustration for Scott (and me and others sometimes) right now is his horse voice.  He sounds like someone who's smoked for about 40yrs and has no volume to project what he's saying.  It's hard to understand him if we're anywhere other than a quite room with only a few people in it because he is so hoarse.  His voice is slowly getting stronger and we're hoping it goes back to normal soon.
     Alright, enough for tonight, I work in the morning.  Sweet dreams everyone