My Life as a Toad

The Hero doesn't always have fun. Sure there is the thrill of the chase, the feeling that he's pitching a battle against evil, but there's also the day the wizard hits him with a fireball and he turns into a toad. For the last two days I felt and somewhat resembled a toad, or someone dressed in one of Hollywood's fat suits. Fortunately I'm feeling more like myself today and good enough to whine about it.

In addition to tolerable aches and pains, I have been bloated like a common frog and looked like I was in mid-croak. My neck was swollen, my face and my hands -- I was like a giant puffball. I know fluid retention is listed as a side-effect of one of the drugs...but this is just silly.

In addition I was running a low-grade fever yesterday, which meant I was constantly monitoring it to make sure it didn't reach the magic 38C. That's the point at which have to call the Cancer Center and possibly go to emergency because it means I may have an infection. It's more worrisome 10 to 14 days after treatment because that's when my white blood cells are at their lowest and can't fight infection effectively.

The Celebrex did its job, more or less. Overall the aches were tolerable, although I was still aching yesterday. Today is much better and I've been outdoors already to pick my spinach, which is bolting in the heat.

I did go out for a drive with Rob yesterday. He had to go across the city on a work errand. We stopped for ice cream (which never fails to improve my mood). We also stopped for mail on the way back and there were cards from Aunt Al, Aunt Myrtle and from Beth, Linda, Debbie and Eileen from the local office.

This weekend coming is the Relay for Life and the office has two teams entered. I received an email yesterday indicating the teams have raised $3,075 for the event. I hope everyone is proud of their accomplishment. I'm planning on going for part of the evening, but don't think I'll have the wherewithal to stay for the entire event, at least not this year. I'm looking forward to seeing my colleagues and hanging out. Cross your fingers for the weather, right now it's calling for rain, which could be a bit of a damper on the event.

Today is election day. Rob and I will head out to the polls in a little while and cast our ballots. Hopefully the sunshine today helps voter turnout. Then who knows, maybe we'll stop somewhere for ice cream -- because ice cream is good for the spirit.