I'd Rather Have a Sinus Infection

Frankly, the last two weeks have totally sucked. I've had the most horrific sinus infection that has had me at the instacare clinic twice and once to the ER. I've been on three different antibiotics (the last costing $25 a pill), two cough syrups (one narcotic, a steroid spray and a 5-day blister pack of Prednisone. I lost my voice for four days and have just today, got the coughing controlled enough that I don't choke whenever I start coughing. Good times.

Then, as if it couldn't get any worse, we found out on Monday that my Dad has stage IV, metastatic lung cancer. He started chemo today. The hope is that the chemo will at most stop the cancer or at the very least prolong his quality of life until the cancer wins.

Knowing what he will face in the next few months makes my sinus infection pale in comparison. With a sinus infection, you know that there is an end to the sickness. With cancer, there is no guarantee. Just when you think you've beat it, it comes back with a vengeance.

On Monday, I found comfort in a bag of Ruffles and a tub of french onion dip. On Tuesday, I stayed in my pajamas all day in the name of my sinus infection. Today, the sun was shining and it was a glorious day. I was able to talk about the cancer without crying.

Today I heard my Dad promise that he was going to do everything he could to beat the cancer and I believe him. He has a lot of life left to live and I can't bear the thought of the alternative.