Day 148, Officially 20 Days Left

Around 5PM today, I took my Sovaldi as usual and realized that I had already ventured an entire week since my last post, and thus 7 more days complete. Today, officially I have 20 days left of treatment, and yes, I'm totally rocking a countdown to the big day coming up on July 7th. Wow, it's amazing how time flies when you're caught up in work and spending quality time with family over the weekend.

God blessed me to see my mother-in-law this past weekend as she stayed with us from Friday to Monday afternoon. I was so happy for my wife, Alexandra, to be able to spend some much needed time with her mother before their move to South Carolina at the end of June. They've lived in Cape Coral, Florida since 2002, and now are heading back to their old hometown of Anderson, South Carolina. Family was important this past weekend, and having Mary in our home and running around Central Florida with us was a blast. Having Mary spend a few days with us helped to pass time, and helped the days go by quicker while on treatment. I found myself not even thinking about Sovaldi, treatment or the end of therapy. Rather, I was basking in the joy that comes from sharing stories with family, having dinner dates and going to church. God sends people in our lives just when we need them, for an extra boost of motivation and zeal.

As for side effects, I have been clear for the past 7 days of any sinus related congestion. No more headaches, no chills, no fevers, no mucus and more importantly no swollen lymph glands under my neck. Albeit, I've had moments of lethargy in the afternoons around 4PM, and a short nap usually gets me back on track. My wife has also pinpointed some of my absentmindedness at times with brain fog, and in those moments I just "zone out." Just like the song from Oasis, "Champaign Supernova," I catch myself riding the comet trails of brain fog, and caught in daydream like moments. It's sometimes pretty funny actually, but thank goodness, all of this will end shortly in less than 3 weeks.

An idle mind is a playground for negativity, so keeping myself active, focused and busy has really been one of the main mental paths that has allowed me to get through some tough nights with side effects. When you surround yourself with productivity, no matter if it's gardening, pottery, painting, graphic design or just spending time with family, at the end of the day these things deliver a lot of joy and focus. Let's face it, focus and a hobby of sorts could benefit a lot of us while on treatment of any kind or with any medical condition that come with limitations and boundaries. Take the time to find your niche, and allow it to be a part of your day in some way. Philippians 4:8 says this, "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." Apostle Paul was one of the New Testament's greatest authors, not only did he write passionately, but his words echoed giving God glory in all we do.

Like I've said so many times before, "You are not your disease!" Keep Calm and keep slaying that dragon!