At least mine seem to be working

So, they switched up my meds a little about 2-3 weeks ago, and since then, I can definitely say that my cough has gotten better ( A LOT less frequent and laborious) and my breathing is a little less debilitating. Granted, I know I still have a long ways to go, but BOY DOES IT FEEL GOOD to see something making progress!!

Harsh

I just saw a Dateline segment on tv tonight about companies that are making counterfeit prescription drugs and selling them off to patients around the world, including the U.S. One specific example they found was a drug called Procrit. I took this drug back during my first round of chemotherapy back in 2002. From what I remember, it's a red blood cell promoter, so it tends to give you some more energy and help you recover from the effects of chemo a bit quicker. They had a family whose mother had taken Procrit during her battle with breast cancer and found that it gave her a great deal of physical and mental strength to get through the treatment. At one point, the drug didn't seem to be working as well, and the family figured that it was the cancer starting to overcome her system and figured there was nothing they could do. It wasn't until a nurse at the facility later determined that they had been sold fake medicine that the family found out. I heard this tonight and I must say that I was horrified. I mean, I saw the title of the segment, so I knew what they were going to be talking about. But then I understood that what they were actually doing was rendering these medications completely useless. A doctor treating a patient might then decide (when the patient shows no response to a medication) to put them into further treatment (additional drugs) or higher quantities of the same in hopes that it will eventually be effective. My thought on these people: they should be burned. Not just the death penalty, but burned. Sounds harsh, I know and I'm a little shocked that I could project that cruel of a destiny on someone, but that was honestly my first reaction to that news.

Recovering

It's been weird lately. I think it's a combination of the antibiotics and antifungals that I'm on, but I don't seem to have all my wits about me lately. I'm always kind of tired, or distracted. Some days are better than others, but I think it's not quite normal. The weird part is that I can't quite figure out how it doesn't quite feel totally normal. I hope it evens out soon though.

In the meantime, I have finally gotten back in front of the art desk. Since the weather has been soo hot here in Pittsburgh, we've been keeping the windows closed and the air conditioner on. That means, I'm not doing any acrylic work at this time. It also doesn't quite seem like it's the season for it. I've been working in watercolor, which given the temperature and sunniness of the outdoors, seems more fitting. I'll post some of the work I've been doing soon.

In the meantime...I'm off to read the new Harry Potter! ;-)

Getting back in the swing

So, I've been home now for almost a week. I haven't had much of a chance to do anything, as I am still trying to rearrange my schedule for taking the new medications that my docs have prescribed. Some have to be taken with food, some with meals, some at least an hour away from any food, some 1-2 hours away from each other, and some take an hour to take! Given all those requirements, I think I've finally worked out a plan, but it's taken a few days of trial and error to determine the best combination. Some of these meds also cause dizziness and drowsiness, so when I haven't been trying to figure out when I need to eat or ingest medicine, I've been in a bit of a fog--creatively, at least. I've been reading a lot, but I haven't quite gotten enough energy to get me back in front of the easel yet. Hopefully soon, though, because I really, really miss it.