Dosage Change

I adjusted to the increase quickly. It leaves me kinda loopy for an hour or so the next morning. But, then I feel pretty good (Coffee always helps, too :-)). My energy levels and mood are up.
Started seeing a counselor Mon., the 21st, and he helped a lot, too.
I'm already making plans for the day I have to ween myself off of these drugs.

New Dosage

Whew!! This heavier dose of Interferon is just no fun at all. Went from 4 mil. units, 3 times per week to 5 mil. units, 3x/wk. I can see my body is going to need a little while to adjust. Been dizzy a good part of the day. I did manage to get a little housework done, though.

Blessed

A friend at church this morning asked me how things were going. I told him I was feeling much better, but am worried about the stress of all the bills falling on my wife, that it would help if I could just bring in enough money to keep gas in the cars and/or fuel in the furnace.
That sweet guy pulled out his wallet and handed me a C-note saying, "Here. Put some gas in your cars". Like a sap, I cried.
I've said it before, and I'll say it again.
We are a very blessed couple. God takes good care of us.
I'm making a conscious effort to take more time in prayer to just say "Thank You, Lord" instead of asking so much.

What a Day!!

Well, I remembered something I forgot that is just a wee bit important. We went to MD Anderson in October. While there, the world renowned Dr. Kurzrock wrote an order for me to have bloodwork done every 3 weeks. Some chemical they need to keep track of when a person is on Interferon.
So, I took the order to our hospital (closest place for me since I shouldn't be driving), dropped it off and promptly forgot about it. DIPSTICK!!
Now, I'm trying to fix the error. Thus, I start tomorrow, and faithfully follow my routine. Means I have to drive to the lab once every 3 weeks. On the other hand, I want my chances of survival to be favorable. So, I'll just have to be extra careful. My wife works 'til 11:00 pm and needs to unwind after work. So, she hits the sack about 1:30 or 2:00. I ain't asking her to get up at 6:30 a.m. to drive me 6 miles. She gets too tired as is, and I worry about her.
Oh, in case you're wondering, ain't no public transportation in Waynesville, NC.
I, also, got on the phone w/ MD Anderson and twisted their arm about working w/ my Oncologist here. Their Dr., Kurzrock, has seen several cases of ECD and reversed them. So, I want her involved.

Awareness

Went to the hospital to pick up my Interferon today. While I was there, I went to my old work station to see my old buds. I always saw myself as a hard worker. That's the way my parents raised me. But, these folks just gushed about how they missed me. Next, I stopped by Urgent Care to say "Hi", and they did the same thing with hugs included. It's so nice to know I wasn't too stubborn to let God reach through me and touch someone else.

Only problem is, now I need someone to reach out to me. My disease does scare me a bit, and I get very lonely here by myself 'til my wife gets home. We're just gonna have to find out where the volunteer work is and get busy. "Idle hands....".

"In America". Copyright 2007.

By the by, I feel particularly blessed by this gift (song), "In America", God gave me. It describes how I feel about the Land I love and is dedicated to the men and women that put their lives on the line every day to keep this soil free. The country is the men and women that work, sweat and bleed to make this nation work, that are the backbone of this country, that this country would fall apart without. My heart is with you folks and our troops.
Bless all of you.
A special "Thank You" goes out to Casey Hurowitz of Hopeful Dreamer Music who took this song under his wing and worked his magic on her.
http://www.soundclick.com/members/default.cfm?member=walter327

Getting to know you.......

Well, hi there.
First off I'd like to say, be prepared. I'm gonna have good days and bad. See, I've got the honor of having a rare disease called Erdheim-Chester Disease, (http://www.histio.org/, http://www.thedoctorsdoctor.com/). While my wife and I have decided we're in it for the long haul ( gonna give this crud my nastiest low blows and rabbit punches), there are still days when I wish someone would just take care of poor little old me. Readers will get both sides of the coin.
'Kay. We've become determined that this thing can't have me. It's met someone with a double thick skull and a steel rod for a spine. My family knows the story before this weekend before Christmas (some other time). But, since that miserable three days, when I truly thought I was going to die, I've begun walking hard and fast, stretching, running up and down our steps, no matter how unsteady I am or how much it hurts, and just generally refusing to recognize the presence in my body (Maybe if I ignore it, it'll go away :-) ). I've remained steadfast in praying. I mean, without Him I wouldn't have a wonderful, beautiful wife; a gracious, supportive family or all of the fantastic blessings that are so abundant in my life. He's the Bomb, I tell ya!! I have honestly felt much better, after getting over the soreness, of course. I think I recognize me in there behind them eyes, again.
Ain't perty. But, it's me. ;-)