Day 5 of first week: Overall, still doing well ...

Here it is Day 5 of my first week of treatment and I am feeling really blessed with the minimal side-effects, thus far. Thanks be to God for His mercy, grace, healing, and faithfulness in answering prayers.

If anyone reading this is considering the PEGIntron/Rebetol combo, I want to make a few suggestions. While I still have a long way to go before this first stage (three-month trial) is done, I've already learned three valuable lessons:

-- Drink plenty of fluids. I am consuming at least a gallon of fluid a day, including one quart of Gatorade. I am told that is really helping me at this point.

-- Sign up for Schering's "Be In Charge" program. The service provides 24/7 access to a nurse. This helps with any questions you have about side-effects, use of the PEGIntron injections and Rebetol.

Kathleen, one of the nurses, called me Wednesday, following up on a discussion she and I had earlier in the week. Her call Wednesday was right at the time that I was wondering whether the first week is indicative of the type of experience you will have with the drug. Unfortunately, she said the differing side-effects can appear at any time in the treatment. Which brings me to the third thing I've learned:

-- Take it one day at a time.

For instance, today I found myself getting agitated really quickly over something. I'll have to watch that. Also, I am having some lower abdominal discomfort. It's not really severe, just somethign short of cramping. If it continues Friday I'll give Roxanne a call at Dr. Scott's office. It may be the kind of thing they'll want to know about.

Grace and peace ...