Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

At least that is what I would like to wish for myself and all those who read this blog.

I was contacted by the ENT specialist relatively early this morning with the following news:

"The vocal cords have a normal appearance. The epiglottis has a normal appearance. The surrounding soft tissues are normal. The anterior and posterior triangles and submental region are normal. The salivary glands appear to have a normal appearance. What is seen of the superior mediastinum appears normal with no identifiable lymphadenopathy. What is seen of the lungs and pleura is normal. The skeleton has a normal appearance.

Status post surgery but no adverse lesion identified."

I don't know about anyone else but for me this is the best news I could have at this time of the year.

I for one am relieved to read the word "normal" so many times in the report.

It still does NOT explain the pains and why breathing was difficult and certainly does not even begin to explain some of the pain and stiffness of the joints in the shoulder and neck areas.

However what it DOES suggest is that we may have to look at things other than a cancer related recurrence to explain it all. Perhaps in the new year we may actually be able to do something useful to deal with the consequences of whatever is causing the issues.

Meanwhile I guess it's back to the "clear as mud, but it cover the ground."

As the new year inevitably rolls on I just hope that the small, but positive changes that appear to be taking place, will enable the voice to come back, however inadequately, and however partially so that I will once again be able to communicate with people using Skype instead of typing.

For those who have not yet experienced overuse syndrome - my only advice is - avoid it if you can - unless you are a masochist continuing pain is grossly over rated.