Thou Swell

This is actually the first line of a song in the Rogers and Hart musical Connecticut Yankee. It goes:

Thou swell, thou witty,
Thou sweet, thou grand . . .

But for us, "swell" means "getting big" not "being terrific." I called the doctor this morning to report the strange shifting swelling in the Patient's neck. Late this afternoon Stephanie (the SUPER nurse) called back to say that this is not uncommon for patients receiving neck radiation. It may clear up eventually. It may not. We are advised to keep an eye on the amount of swelling and if it gets painful or gets really big, to call back. And, she said, this can last for a year OR can be permanent. There are all sorts of things they don't tell you when you begin this treatment, such as the fact that you may have an unsightly swelling in your neck for the rest of your life! Despite facial and neck swelling, the Patient had a hard boiled egg dressed up with mayo and smeared on crackers, steamed veggies, macaroni and cheese (about five pieces), and various flavored juices. Progress nonetheless.

Tomorrow is the presention by the Metropolitan Opera of Lucia de Lammemoor, an old broadcase of this bloody opera with the late, great Maria Callas. If you are looking for a good scare, tune in at 10:30 AM.