When It Rains...

So, I was out of work for a week. This means I don't get paid for a whole week. Ouch.

Today, I have to see a lung specialist for my check up of my pneumonia. That's $50 that I don't have as I have to stretch last week's paycheck through till next Friday.

The other day, I realized that the tire I have a hole in isn't holding air the way it needs to. In other words, I'm stopping at the gas station every couple of days to put air in it. Well, because I have four-wheel-drive, I can't just replace one tire - I have to replace two in order to save my transfer case from blowing up.

I already owe my mother for my meds from last week that cost $150 WITH insurance. Now, she said that she would loan me the money to fix my tires. I'm going to owe this woman for the rest of my life!

Haven't gotten the quote for replacing the tires yet. And, of course, I can't have cheap tires on the car, I have to have a name brand. And, unfortunately, I really like this brand because they hold up well. Well, except to things poking them and gouging them. But, I would like to go home to New Hampshire sometime soon and I was told that my car stays home unless I get the tires fixed. So, I guess I have no choice.

I really need a full time job.

Alive....

.....barely.

I feel half-dead. I'm getting better. I can tell. But my energy level, on a scale of 1 to 10, is negative 100. Just thinking about pulling on a bra and t-shirt to go pick up my paycheck wears me out. My right lung hurts. The center of my chest hurts when I cough. Getting run over by a mac truck has nothing on the way I feel right now. Have you seen Final Destination? The one where the girl gets obliterated by the bus? That's probably closer to how I feel.

I'm sorry for the pity party here. I'm just venting. Bored. Tired. Icky. And I needed to get that out.

Remicade Question

From the comments yesterday: "there's not any nasty side effects apart from the bummer immune system?"

Well, actually, because of the bummer immune system, there are tons of nasty side effects. Serious infections, including tuberculosis, sepsis and pneumonia can happen. There have been rare reports of lymphoma (a blood cancer) occurring in some people. COPD can develop. If you're a carrier of Hepatitis B, that can redevelop. Rare cases of liver damage have been reported, including fatal damage. Blood and nerve disorders have been reported. Any and all of these reports have the potential to be fatal.

There are also allergic reactions that can happen while you're being infused or within a week or two after. These include: respiratory problems, hives, chest pain, high or low blood pressure, swelling of the face and hands, and fever or chills.

Most common side effects? Headache, stomach pain, respiratory infections, rash and coughing. Luckily, I just get these last things.