For some time now I've been debating the merits of further posting to my blog. Essentially I'm as good as I'm going to be regarding my Cancer treatment. My last visit with the oncologist bolstered my confidence that this particular colon cancer likely won't re-occur. My liver is in good shape apparently, and does whatever a liver does without any problems. I'm not scheduled for anything major, save for a colonoscopy sometime in 2014. Until then, it's basically dullsville as far as the cancer game is played.
So what do I write about? There are of course still some mundane yet medically important aspects, not directly treatment related, but helpful anyways. For instance, I've never got a Flu shot. Oh sure I figure I've lived through Cancer and can revert to the stoic 'nope I'm a survivor I don't get the flu (only life-threatening illnesses...)' mentality. But realistically a short chat with a medical professional (a rather persuasive pharmacist in my case) convinced me of the merits of taking the proactive approach. Basically if I get sick and cancer comes back (OR if the cancer comes back and I get sick) my immune system would need all the help it can get. So I opted to get the shot.
Having never had a flu shot before I wasn't particularly worried about Yet Another Needle in my arm. I'm stoic, remember? The pharmacist invites me to get behind the privacy screen where I'm informed that the shot will be high up on my arm. Easiest thing to do is to simply remove my shirt. I'm glad for the privacy screen, it means I won't be causing casual passers-by to faint at the sight of my less-than toned "muscles". Or be blinded by the reflected glare off of very pale skin. The shot is over in a minute, and I don't bleed. A comment from the person giving the shot is that men don't bleed like stuck pigs; I guess we're basically all clotting fools.
The shot completed, my shirt rebuttoned and I'm ready to leave....but..not yet. Apparently there's a little cautionary note in the pamphlet handed to the 'flu shot-ees' that advises a 15 minute waiting period after receiving your shot. Hey more waiting in a medical environment. I'm pretty good at that by now.
Fifteen minutes later, no fever, no projectile vomiting, no desire to perform the Lambada, I'm free to go. Simple. Easy. Quick. Done. Some people complain that 'the flu shot makes them sick'. Over the next couple of day I monitor how I feel, and overall I feel healthy Until the weekend. When I got sick. Apparently migraine headaches due to a combination of weather change (it got cold) and not keeping hydrated were my undoing. The flu shot prevents a bad case of the Flu; it doesn't stop you from being dumb and not taking responsibility for your own health.
One week later and I'm as good as I usually am (other than a rather humiliating loss at chess to a young lady; who despite not yet being a teenager, is quite talented. Did I mention I was humiliated?!). I wonder if there's a shot to make me a better chess player? Probably not: science is good but I'd need a a Miracle!
