http://www.moongiant.com/phase/today/

About two weeks into the increased dosage of Ruxolitinib, I am experiencing some improvements in the CLL symptoms, at least they are noticeable over the last couple of days. My fatigue levels are back down some, the bone and joint pain is subsiding, my lymph nodes seem to be smaller and less tender, and the psoriasis has retreated. I wonder what my blood numbers look like today?

It has been recorded that the lymph nodes can wax and wane, and with that, a waxing and waning of the symptoms the enlarged lymph nodes produce. While there is no scientific merit to my observations, I have definitely noticed that the waxing and waning of the lymph node enlargement and other symptoms follow the waxing and waning moon.

Last week’s full moon had me feeling awful. Every joint in my body hurt and I was nearly as stiff and rigid as an ancient Bois D’arc (Osage Orange) fence post, hard as stone as it still stands, decomposing at the speed of continental drift, having been planted in the earth by a settler and having recently enjoyed its bicentennial anniversary. As the waning gibbous moon advances towards the new moon, my symptoms have abated. I might try giving the old fence post a kick, but I suspect I’d better leave it alone, knowing its heart is far more solid than its sloughing exterior. Perhaps I’ll just argue with it a while, maybe discuss the upcoming election and try to persuade it to change its mind. I wonder which one of us would be the more wise if I did?

No doubt, the increased dosage of the ruxolitinib has resulted in some of the improvement, likely all of it, but I am persuaded enough to watch again what happens as the new moon is past and the waxing moon grows in the night sky.

“You’re making things up,” Nurse Alice might tell me.

“Let us do the thinking about your disease,” might say Gooday.

“Who’s the doctor here?” might ask Hemosapien.

If I do continue to observe the symptoms following the lunar cycle idea, what use can I make of that information? None….other than to be able to remind myself that in a couple of weeks I will likely feel better.

One day at a time, please. This morning, after a good night’s sleep, I feel pretty good. The only aches and pains I can identify are those that accompany one who is nearly sixty years old. I have a long day ahead of me and will likely be exhausted after it is over, but many people who will work hard for the next twelve hours will be exhausted, no matter their age or health.

We have a planned power outage on the Ole Miss campus today. A total of eleven dormitories will be without power for a planned twelve hours. Hopefully, the work will not take twelve hours. We are ready for it. All the required materials are on hand. All the pre-work that could be done with the power on has been done. There is nothing left to do now but cut the power at the appointed time and get busy. The clock will be ticking.

When we are finished, six spans of overhead power lines will have been converted to underground, furthermore beautifying the nation’s most beautiful university campus.

I am glad to be here to have a part in it.

I am glad I feel good as we get ready for it.

I will be glad when it is successfully and safely behind me.

Right now, I am also glad the ruxolitinib has improved my condition. Or am I glad the moon is waning? Or am I glad of both?

I reckon I’ll be glad of both.

I’ll really be glad if we are through before the kick-off of the Ole Miss/LSU game, which is in Baton Rouge, which is why we are able to do this work today.

Hotty Toddy!!!!

PS…6:22pm. All power is safely back on at Ole Miss. We were allotted 12 hours. It took 11.5. WHEW! I am a one.tired puppy.

©2016 Mississippi Chris Sharp