Side effects

In this blog I have not talked about side effects much because I’ve not experienced much of them.  The first rounds of therapy were so easy.  I got my infusions in the hospital, got a bit tired in the process, went home with the bottle pump and fell asleep for a few hours until Flucha and the children got home.  After that, I was largely restored and feeling fine.  This lasted more than a year.One of the antibodies made spots explode on my face and all over my back and another brought thick calluses to the heels of my feet. ...

Enjoy life

It’s been two weeks since I last wrote.  I’ve already got emails full of concern for my well-being.  Thank you for these.  I’m doing fine.  Things are roughly as they were when I last wrote, after leaving the hospital two weeks ago.  I’m worse than last year but much better than in January.  I eat with sufficient appetite, and I have enough energy to get me through most of the day.The reason I haven’t written is that not much has happened – and what has happened has kept me from writing.  Five days ago, my mom...

Two sides

After eight days away, I slept in my own bed for the first time again last night.  I didn’t sleep too well.  I woke up a few times and struggled to find a position that was comfortable, but it was so much better than in the hospital.  No tubing connected to my chest, no nurses coming in at ungodly hours to connect an antibiotic infusion or take vitals before anyone is ready to get up.  I’m happy to be back home.I left the hospital shortly before lunchtime yesterday.  Lunch had in fact already been served, but I sent it...

Three more days

Three days is a lot, especially if you have to spend them in a hospital.  When the doctors told me yesterday that I wouldn’t be home until Friday,  I wasn't too happy at first.  I understood their point.  The antibiotics treatment has to run its seven-day course before I can leave.  But three days is a lot.  On the other hand, having a relatively certain release date is much better than living day to day, anxiously asking every morning, “May I leave today?”It won’t be three days of complete inaction.  Yesterday...

Slipping downward

My previous stays in the hospital were relatively pleasant.  I read, I wrote, I worked a little.  I could feel how I was getting better every day.  It was always a positive experience.  This time is different.  I’m lethargic.  I lounge on my bed with nothing to do.  It seems I felt better on Saturday than I feel today.  My overall state is poor.  Not even the nice two-bed room with private shower can make up for that.This is weighing on me.  I’m not sure how long I can keep my optimism.  How...