May 28 - Feeling Groovy

Saturday morning, following injection #17. Seven remaining. Last night was the usual post-injection reaction and I’m left tired and with a headache this morning. However, my Starbucks bold coffee, white chocolate blueberry scone and a little acetaminophen seem to be doing the trick. Have had an excellent week, with the sinus infection finally responding to the antibiotics, face steaming and snorting salt water (one of the least pleasant activities I’ve taken part in during recent years, but really seemed to help clear the sinuses). Getting sick on treatment truly sucks. Although, getting sick any time really isn’t great fun. Am better and have only today and tomorrow left on the antibiotics and antifungal mouth wash (which also seems to be working), then will be reducing the checkpoints on the medication chart back to treatment and support only levels.

Went and saw “Star Wars”, with Phil, James and Annikka last weekend. I’m a total sci fi fan, so these are the movies I really do love. Although it wasn’t playing in the Imax theatre, it was in about 8 other theatres at the Paramount, running about every ½ hour, so we had no trouble getting in and getting good seats. Last night, I watched “Team America World Police”, with Ron and Phil – hysterical. Is worth renting for the theme song alone. Have rented “The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou” for my quiet day today, probably spent mostly on the couch in the living room.

Am back at the main hospital site for several weeks now. The past week has been very good and I’ve spent much of my time with two of the physicians I enjoy working with best. I’ve been able to become involved in some new types of work, always exciting and stimulating. The Toronto weather, although cool and wet at the start of the week, is now sunny and warm. Will definitely be out and about tomorrow. Perhaps even today I’ll be able to get out for a little walk. The trip into work and home each day, about a ½ hour walk each way, has been fresh, sunny and filled with the smells of lilac bushes blooming. The discman is back in play; I’ve been listening to Hall and Oates, John Prine, Audioslave, Tori Amos and Fleetwood Mac mostly, this week. Have really gotten back into my yoga, which suffered a little while I was sick, as certain postures were painful with infected sinuses. Each day, I’ve been practicing at least one hour and the results are palpable. Wednesday evening, I got together briefly with Barb – she and her partner are dealing with illness within their family and my heart goes out to both of them during this difficult time. Thursday, Allison provided a brilliant shiatsu treatment that I departed from with relaxation and renewed spirit. Both of my sisters, Nancy and Sally, have been calling me daily to see what’s up. They are inspirational and provide me with enormous support.

Was in for my 7:30 a.m. pre-work blood tests with nurse Sharon yesterday morning. There are definitely conveniences to having several main city hospitals located within steps of eachother – I can go for bloods at one and be at work at another within minutes. She called with results last night, everything about status quo (white cell count actually up a little, probably due to the recent infection, nice to know my body still has it in it to respond). I forgot to ask about my alt levels. However, as they’ve been within normal range for some time now and as she said things are basically unchanged, I am not too concerned. Side effects are sort of a low grade buzz in the background of life…. hair is still thinning, but I can cope and happily continue using the Nioxin shampoo, conditioner and leave in treatment. Rash comes up and down, but I can use Aveeno and calendula. Wake ups still occur around 3:30 a.m., but lavender aromatherapy is amazing for getting back to sleep.

One thing that really stood out for me while I was perusing the blogs during the week, was a comment on a blog from Martin saying how important it is not to allow treatment to become the focal point of life. I can’t begin to express strongly enough how much I agree with his comment! Neither hepatitis c, nor its treatment, define us. I am not just someone with hepatitis c on chemotherapy. Who I am is a culmination of many innate factors, life experiences, actions, interactions, reactions, hopes, dreams and multiple other things. This disease and the treatment for it are only a small part of me, things that I will be able to learn and grow from, to incorporate into my global persona, but only little parts. The whole is so much more.

Sue