I feel like writing another substantive post. I will start with a simple bit of news: my brother's apartment nearly burned to the ground yesterday. He lives on the second floor of a three-story building, and the third story no longer exists. When he called me yesterday and told me this, I couldn't help but wonder what other fun news will be in store in the second half of this year. Luckily, everyone (save someone's pet bird) is fine, but seriously, I'm wondering who is playing all these jokes lately. It upsets me to think about it, which is sad because he's the one who just had his apartment destroyed.

On the cancer front, I feel okay. Sometimes it feels like my body is running on burnt garbage, and other times I find a comfortable spot in bed and just stay still as long as possible, savoring that position as though I'm just having a normal nap on a normal day home from work. It doesn't last long, but it lasts long enough, and I'm glad when it's not drug-induced comfort.

I guess I can understand why some people become dependant on their medications, but for me the medications are a sign that something is terribly wrong. Even something as benign as a glass of wine is a drug I avoid, because I want to feel better, not worse. The last thing I want is to induce sick feelings. That being said, I sometimes have a glass when I can stomach it. Some people talk to me about doing rounds of shots when this is all over. Well, I won't be doing that, but I will watch while sipping a margarita. Probably a frozen margarita with an umbrella.

Now for some hypothetical questions and answers:
Q) Would you rather have a finger stick, a peripheral blood lab (from your arm), IV blood draws, or blood drawn from your Mediport?
A) Excellent question--I've had all of these done countless times. If the Mediport is already being accessed (meaning there is a one-inch needle already in my chest), that is the best. The pain is already over at that point.

Q) What is the worst food you've had in the hospital?
A) Tough call--I don't really eat the hospital food anymore, because I prefer to keep my stomach's contents in my stomach. I would have to say the fish in marinara sauce ranks up there.

Q) What is your preferred brand of ginger ale?
A) Easy--White Rock, sometimes diet sometimes regular, though that may be a little too sweet for me anymore.

I am about a week behind on my treatment schedule due to low platelet counts last week, but I feel relatively well even after having just gotten out of treatment last night. I survived a roommate who spoke frequently on the phone about "the Feds" and "snitches." Luckily, no black cars showed up after he left.

A recent PET scan showed residule scar tissue and dead cancerous tissue in my body. This is apparently normal and can show up for quite some time (even years). No causes for alarm.

I look forward to seeing the Dark Knight when my blood counts are back up. If it's as good as Wall-E, I will be satisfied.