Questionable: Back amongst the living

Last Tuesday I came down with a cold. Do you know what a cold feels like when you don't have much of an immune system? Well, I do. It sucks. Totally sucks. I'm still sick, but feeling good enough to sit at a desk and putter around the house. For days last week all I did was blow my nose and glance listlessly at my computer in hopes that the presentation for my dissertation defense would magically appear on the screen. It didn't. Fortunately, it hasn't turned into anything worse than a cold. I haven't run a fever or developed bronchitis or pneumonia. I really, really, really hope it is gone by Monday so I don't get deferred.

A friend from school is arriving today to spend a few days with me. We're going to go through my dissertation, work on my presentation, and generally hang out. I feel bad because she is entering the sick zone, but I have cleaned everything and sprayed Lysol everywhere. I hope it is enough.

How good are Golden Grahams? I haven't had cold cereal in years. But I've had trouble finding things to eat that don't repulse me. One day last week I realized I wanted Golden Grahams in skim milk. I figure they are better than other things I've been eating (ice cream and pizza) so I managed to eat a whole box over the last 5 or 6 days. I can't even tell you the last time I've had milk. But the whole thing was so delicious I might try again in a few weeks.

Weirdest aversion yet - Two weeks ago, we were walking through the grocery store and I saw bendy straws on a display. I almost vomited. Why? I use bendy straws in my water in the days after chemo because they are easier when I'm in bed.