Tuesday, December 19, 2006

Behind the 8-ball

Another trip to the GI Doctor today. He wishes that my reovery was proceeding at more than a snail's pace but as long as there is some improvement and things are not getting worse then we can stick with the current plan B and plan C and not have to consider plan D or E. So thats good. I've been able to get out a bit more the past few weeks, making it to both Amy's and my office Christmas parties. Amy and I actually went out to eat, ironically at Breadwinners (I've had to cut bread and bread-like stuff out of my diet) and made it to see some bands featuring friends and some of Amy's coworkers play in a pizza joint in Arlington. So things are looking up I guess, though I still have bad days and the odd rocky night if I get stressed out about work or happen to eat the wrong thing at the wrong time.

Today's Doctor quote, "These medications usually work better but you were in a really bad spot and starting from a real disadvantage being diagnosed in the hospital back in June. Your colon was really, really bad, I mean your colon looked like... um, well... the Dickens!"

Next Remicade infusion is the Friday after Christmas. A lot of people say the third time is the charm.

I'm also supposed to start cutting back on the steroids after Christmas. Hopefully the other medications will have kicked in enough at that point to keep the disease at bay while I taper off the roids. I'll be glad to get off of them and say goodbye to the joint pain, swelling in my legs, random crazy mood swings, sudden severe cramps in my hands and puffy face.
Time for some peppermint tea. It works... I think.