MOUTH CANCER

This is an update to last week's Worry Wart blog about the roof of my mouth.

When I called on Tuesday to get an appointment with an ENT (referred by my dentist who noticed a hematoma on the roof of my mouth) the soonest they could fit me in was the end of March.  So I could enjoy more weeks of worry.  Fortunately for me, the next morning I got a call about a cancellation for Friday morning at 9:30 am.  YES!!

The doctor (now I have another "ologist" to add to my group, he's an otolaryngologist) did a very thorough ear exam, nose exam and finally my mouth.  He had a great personality (said he was required to follow the letters of his speciality "to the letter" due to his OCD ... Ear Nose Throat).  His opinion?  Most likely a hemangioma, a bruise of sorts.

Wait and see, observe and monitor.  Come back in three months.  He took a photo and will compare.  My dentist also has two photos taken one month apart.  And they will compare all.  Apparently a biopsy of the palate is pretty painful and slow healing and to be avoided if possible (kinda like the podiatrist saying don't get my bunions fixed until I am unable to walk at all!).

Monday I go to physical therapy to learn how to compensate for aging muscles.  My goal is to be able to get down on the floor and then get myself back up.  Alone.  So I don't have to shout "help I've fallen and I can't get up".  Mainly I want to feel comfortable taking myself on a walk.  I seem to totter these days and my posture needs some work.  I saw myself on our Ring camera while reviewing the tape ... and I thought WHO is that old lady?  Me.  Walking a bit hunched over and tottering to our front door.  Time to take some action.  I've got at least 20 more years (if I live through these next four) and no sense looking 90 if I'm not.

 

The Good, The Bad and the WTF!

Sorry I totally forgot to post today until just now.

My reasons (excuses) are many and varied.  I womanned the virtual office three days (instead of two).  I've been playing with my sister and family since she is in town again.  Had a wicked case of IBS (actually missed pizza party with Sis and her fam and my fam). Then endured a face headache that wouldn't quit.

My dentist noticed a spot on the roof of my mouth last month when I came in for something else.  He surmised it was a hematoma probably poked with a food item.  I went back this past week and it has changed for the worse and he referred me to an ENT.

Risk factors (from Mayo Clinic Website) 
    Smoking or using smokeless tobacco

    Heavy alcohol consumption

    Poor dental hygiene

    HPV infection

    Advanced age

Only the last one applies to me

    
So sorry my mind has been elsewhere.  I'm always a worry wart but cancer in the mouth has taken two friends of mine in the past.

More next week.

P.S.  Aging is NOT for sissies

A WICKED WEEK

Maybe I need to be put on anti depression medication.  The week beginning January 5 has hit me hard.

He who shouldn't be named is such an arrogant self centered human and I can't bear to use his name.  I went to the dictionary/thesaurus and now feel much worse.

My spirits just got a little lift when I decided I have an emoji I can use in place of a name

💩

And it rhymes with the name!  OK, I felt better for a moment.  I'm confident I can use the emoji in every medium I use.

Why does 💩 spout his "ideas" that offend most humans?  Invade  Panama Canal and seize the canal?  Buy Greenland?  Banish and remove citizens to dangerous countries who have done us no harm?  Annex Canada?  Wears his badge of FELONY proudly?  Convicted with with no consequences.  Insane. Delusional. Arrogant. Despicable.  Just plain 💩.

On the other hand, the California fires.  Mother Nature has no mercy.  One female suspect has been arrested for arson at the Leo Carrillo State Park fire.  Recent thinking believes the Pacific Palisades fire was caused by faulty power grids.  Saturday morning updates say 39,000 acres are consumed by fire, 11 deaths and taking 12,000 structures.

And now the fire is shifting to the East.

Thankfully, many are pledging funds to help with reconstruction ... which today is estimated at more the 150 BILLION dollars.  Like Lahaina in Maui, it will take ten years or more to rebuild.

Continue with your prayers for America.

WHAT IS GOING ON?

I did make it til midnight.  Upgraded my Prosecco with a bit of pomegranate juice and a raspberry.  The menu was all from the deli of our local gourmet grocery.  Followed by my latest craze, Haagen Dazs coffee ice cream. 

The next day was over the top productive.  I don't know what has gotten in to me!  Cleaning and organizing like a crazed Martha Stewart.

Remember this ...

(We still need to clean the oven racks ...)

We use inexpensive dish cloths instead of paper towels and they were no longer white.  So into the kitchen sink with bleach and water.  I also ordered a new 24 pack and folded and put into our container.  After the old ones were washed and dried, I folded them, found a perfect sized bin and made room in the laundry/cleaning supply/storage room to fit on a shelf.

When I got in there I noticed the washer lid was pretty grimy so cleaned that then went out to the dishwasher and cleaned all around the door.  And the top freezer of our fridge.  (I'm in love with Mr. Clean's rubber gloves)

Kate and I decided to replace our battered kitchen utensils with wooden ones.  Amazon delivered food grade mineral oil.  After cleaning all of our wooden spoons with salt and lemon juice ...

Now to take down Christmas.  So much Christmas!  But Jesse does it all and because he remembers which boxes have which items.  I bought some cedar balls to put in a sealed container with my Christmas bedspread (while in ) (also the boys' snowflake pillow cases)

The family returns Sunday afternoon and then we will be back on the school and sports schedule. I'm seriously considering going on a soup for dinner phase.  My Mom made the best Italian Wedding Soup.  I reached out to my Italian high school buddy for a recipe .... two typewritten pages!  I'm going to do a partial follow with a few time saving cheats.

My New Year's resolution?  Live a joyful life.  What's yours?