Updates - Day 183

We'll start with Wednesday, Nov. 4 - Jim had his infected tooth that was diagnosed Nov. 2 removed this morning. Has had no problems with it since.

The following Wednesday, Nov. 11 - Jim had a CT scan of his chest, followed by a 3-month followup visit (even though it has been 6 months since the cancer surgery) with Dr. Parekh at UIHC. Results of the CT scan were good - no apparent reoccuring cancer. That is a blessing. His blood pressure is improving - 97/52. He is to return in 6 months and after that, yearly visits.

Today, Nov. 12 - he had an endoscopy to see how the ulcer was healing. Dr. Gerke said it was not healing, and it may never heal, but he was not overly concerned about it. It's not bleeding either, and as long as it stays that way, good. Perhaps this is what you call an inactive ulcer? He recommends Jim stay on 40 mg of Pantoprazole, once a day, to help it heal.  

Appointments - Day 174

The first of many appointments today was a visit with his primary care physician, Dr. Todd Butler. Weight is 128.6 pounds with clothes on. Blood pressure is 70/46. Jim's plan of action to reduce the frequency of taking Midodrine was curtailed by Dr. Butler, who said he really needs to be taking it three times a daily so it will last all day and raise his blood pressure. Otherwise the medicine only lasts a few hours and is of little benefit. Results of blood work drawn indicated his thyroid is fine and he is a little anemic.

The consultation with his dentist, Dr. John McGrane, resulted in an appointment Wednesday morning at 11:10 to remove the infected tooth. Then, on Tuesday, Nov. 17, at 11 a.m., he will have two fillings repaired.  

Another infected tooth - Day 173

Today, Monday, Nov. 2, Jim had a dental appointment. There was no indication it would be anything but normal, but something was wrong when the hour appointment stretched into 1 1/2 hours. When he returned home, he said he had another infected tooth - upper right this time. Jim said they took 21
x-rays. The tooth needs to come out soon, so we are having a consultation with Dr. McGrane at 2 p.m. Tuesday to determine exactly what to do and when to do it. Another expense.

We spent a good share of the day in Wilton, where we visited with Ron and Jim had an interview with a reporter from the weekly newspaper, Wilton-Durant Advocate News.

Last Tuesday, Oct. 27, Jim had a colonoscopy. He had one tiny polyp, which Dr. Gerke removed. He is to return in 5 years.

He has reduced the frequency of taking the Midodrine (which raises his blood pressure) from three 1/2 tabs daily to one 1/2 tab. He thought the medicine was causing a decrease in potty flow. It appears this plan has helped as the BP has remained good, with no dizziness, and potty flow has increased.

In addition to the 3-month clinic visit with Dr. Parekh on Nov. 11, Jim is scheduled to have an endoscopy Nov. 12 to see how the ulcer is healing.