Back From the Dead 7

Surprise!! As all things are relative....this one was not so bad. I have recovered (I hope) without too many lingering aches or pains which make things seem to last longer. Maybe my body is getting stronger as the cancer goes away and is better able to fight back......and after 7 times I think I've found out most of what can go wrong!!!! When you start chemo they give you a book that has all the information in it...the side effects and what is likely to occur and what is not, when to call the Doc and not........it's a really scary 3 ring binder of a book. My first NADIR I had no preparation....my tongue swelled to what felt like the size of your forearm.....I was sure that as I walked along I looked like one of those "Mouthbreathers"...... that we all see from time to time, with his tongue hangin' out ...................I had a horrible yeast infection in my mouth (Thrush) and the nurse said "Oh! There is a mouth wash for that!!!!".......it's called "Magic Mouthwash" and is a 3 ingredient pharmacy made drug but it helps! and of course we can give you an antifungal for the thrush..... 2nd or 3rd NADIR my tongue was really swollen and I accidentally bit it..........couldn't eat, couldn't sleep. Took the most powerful pain meds out there and no relief.......so I finally got 'ahold of the nurse...........she said "Oh we can prescribe a dental numbing gel for when that happens." There's more but my obvious point is that it has taken 7 times to have all the bases covered. Can't they do that up front????....Of course I may still have a shoe to drop but so far so good. I still have lost most of my taste so I'm back to the shrimp thing but hey! in the woods you learn how to survive........At least I'm not panicked about it like last time. (Biafra) The Doc said once my PSA is below 50 I could stop chemo and continue with the clinical trial (wink,wink). I can't believe I'm saying this but why stop there?......Maybe a couple of more times and I'll run it out of town!!!!......The unfortunate answer is that it would probably run me out of town with it!!!!!!...and I wouldn't have the summer off!!! Knowing I'm not done but closer to the end than I was, I will say that this experience, which millions have done or are doing right now, is a life changer......I'm not the same guy I was before this all started........and most people will tell you that is probably a good thing!!! I've certainly learned the value of a good meal, where you can taste everything!! The real change has been from the few days I sit here by myself each month. I get company but I'm talking about those times when I'm here alone with a much different reality than I had in December when I started.....I've had the chance to reflect, analyze & just broaden my perspective, better understand me...and those around me.........and appreciate them more. It was somewhat forced on me but I would think anybody could shutdown for 3 or 4 days and do the same.......It's a real reality check.......everyone should probably do it every 10 years whether you think you need it or not :>) I think I will be a happier man when this is all over!!! Stay tuned. B.