It calls for both a 'woo' and a 'hoo', this day that greets me every three weeks when I am allowed to give myself a medicated, synthetic energy boost.
It is my most favourite of medications, 30mg of a liquid known as Arenesp. If I were to create a metaphor (and it would be rude not to) this excursion through dialysis could be regarded as a marathon and the Arenesp days mark the water points along the route.
It comes in the form of an injection. I keep a box of syringes in the fridge, currently next to four bottles of beer and out of reach of any children - though if they are any childer-beasts found near my fridge, they've broken in to my apartment, so I say let them stab themselves in the eyes, that'll teach 'em.
It is I who performs the task of giving myself the injection - and it took some getting used to. Nobody likes needles and fewer still are comfortable with not having a doctor or nurse to silently curse and hold accountable when you feel that pinch.
A quote I read from Ian McEwan recently summed it up nicely. He points out that there is nothing in nature to resemble the sight of a syringe piercing skin. It goes against the natural reflex of every sensory nerve to inflict this upon yourself, to willingly infiltrate the bloodstream with something unnatural.
Deep, I know.
I actually didn't come up with any of that myself. I heard two junkies talking down around the Cornmarket the last night. Deep in reflection they were before shooting up.
I'm an awful woman for eavesdropping.
Friday, June 4, 2010
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
My bit on the side
It will not have escaped the attention of observant This Limbo readers that some impostor features have sprung up in the margins.
Check out Playing for Life if you have a chance - it's a blog I've been asked to do in the run-up to the Transplant & Dialysis Games and it'll chart my progress towards the events in August.
I should say that early optimism for unprecedented success at said Games has been given a true reality check and the hype is now more muted than bellowing.
If you think 'sick' people would be lesser competitors for their illnesses, think again. They are athletes and they kick ass.
Check out Playing for Life if you have a chance - it's a blog I've been asked to do in the run-up to the Transplant & Dialysis Games and it'll chart my progress towards the events in August.
I should say that early optimism for unprecedented success at said Games has been given a true reality check and the hype is now more muted than bellowing.
If you think 'sick' people would be lesser competitors for their illnesses, think again. They are athletes and they kick ass.
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