The Days After

How surprised am I?! I thought I would be death warmed over but as it turns out, I am A-OK. My skin is a bit sore, I do have some shoulder tip pain and am generally a bit achy (like after a light workout) but if that's all that I have to pay, life is pretty great! Monday night was a different story...
I started to feel the side effects at 9:30 which is very good considering that my shot was at 1:30. I had the most intense shoulder tip pain I have ever had, with the exception of when I had my liver biopsies, and my skin hurt all over even when I was standing still! The air touching it hurt. I started to get constant, strong chills so decided it was time for bed. I brought an extra warm blanket to bed to try and keep the chills away since the shaking made my skin hurt more. I slept for 15 minutes at a time all night which was unbelievably frustrating! It was worse than having a newborn! I was so tired Tuesday!! The shock of Monday night though was the sweats! I swear I left a trail to the bathroom when I went to get a towel and squeeze my hair out in the sink (disgusting I know, try being me lol)! If that is what I have to look forward to with menopause, I hope I have my period for the next 50 years!
Wednesday I was just tired. Mom (thank God for Mom!)let me spend the morning sleeping and then took Ryus and I out for a walk which was fabulous! As much as I hate to admit it and am having a slight issue adjusting to it, drinking all the water I need to drink I so good for me in so many ways! I might just get addicted to it! Between the water and baby oil baths, I shouldn't end up with the ribavirin rash.
Today I have slight shoulder tip pain and the skin on my back still hurts but am golden otherwise! Last night I even slept for 3 hours at a time on the couch. Woohoo! Looks like the couch is my new bed since I seem to sleep best there (with the help of some Melatonin). I am so thankful that this is what it is. The flu will be nothing after dealing with this for 6 months! I am sure that as I continue and my hemoglobin drops, my immunity decreases and I become anemic, the side effects will feel much worse but I am enjoying it for now. I will definitely love my body even more when this is all done. You don't know how much you like your un-sore skin, un-nauseated stomach, un-achy muscles and un-tired body until you don't have it anymore, lol. This whole process is a reaffirmation of being thankful for all things. You make the best of whatever comes your way and appreciate how much more difficult it could be. I suppose I am a 'strange animal' as my sister calls me and ended up being one of the lucky ones on these drugs.
Off to watch chick flicks with Mom!