I get that question a lot. I'm glad people feel confident enough to ask, rather than avoiding asking, not knowing quite what to say, or not wanting to hear a bunch of bad news. I usually give the straight scoop, usually sprinkled with a smile and a touch of humor.
I am doing well, all things considered. I've not had to miss a day of work that wasn't a treatment day. I've left work a little early a few times when I was tired or just didn't feel good. But as an accountant, I am mostly sitting in front of a computer. How hard can it be, right?
I've had three rounds of treatment, and have noticed a cumulative effect. When I was first diagnosed, I was ready to get going...as one would say in their best Schwarzenegger voice "Let's Do This." Round One was a jolt to the system initially, but I felt I was feeling surprisingly good for the remaining four weeks. Round Two came with a few added side effects, and I would get tired at the end of the day. I strive to get to bed by nine to give myself a good shot at proper rest. Round Three was a lot tougher.
I started Round Three, the first Wed-Fri in December, by getting an allergic reaction to one of the drugs. I got the chills and my teeth were chattering like I was in Alaska. But I was in a heated hospital room with my gift quilt (thank you, Yvonne Hamilton) and three heated blankets the hospital had for just such a reaction. Took a while to get stabilized. Then I was pretty wiped out for the weekend. It felt like I had the flu, just without the fever and joint pain.
My taste bud are pretty shot, and nothing much tastes good. Root beer and potato products are my remaining friends. Most chocolates and fruits, once allies, offer little flavor anymore. Kinda depressing. Sometimes I feel flushed, sometimes my lips tingle. I'm a "morning person" but some mornings I feel pretty lousy. But...
I live with an angel. Wendy has been very empathetic. I can put on my "game face" at work and church. Wendy gets me the rest of the time when the game face doesn't fit very well. I truly believe prayers on my behalf are being answered. I attribute the curing effects thus far on the wisdom and knowledge of the medical world, and attribute my well-being during this process to the power of many prayers. I have felt lifted up at times. I am a disciple of Jesus Christ.
Round Four begins tomorrow, New Year's Eve. I don't know what you'll be doing for New Year's Eve, but this guy from the 60's is taking drugs...lots of them. Street value: $0.00. Happy New Year!
