One of the biggest challenges with the disorder that the medication I take to try and keep it at bay has a costly side-effect. That is, the weakening of my immune system. It is very easy for me to get sick, and more difficult to recover from what would be an easy bounce-back normally. It can be likened to someone dying from the AIDS virus. It is not the virus itself that kills you, but rather the weakened immune system that is no longer able to protect you.

Earlier this year I woke up with a tight chest and other symptoms that felt highly debilitating. Because of my immune system problems, I have to let my doctors know when I get any sign of becoming ill, so I dutifully reported. It turns out that I had a simple cold, something that seemed impossible to me when I heard it considering I felt like I had just been hit by a tank. It served as my reminder to keep my hands clean, avoid people who might be sick, large crowds, etc. etc.

Along with my physical limitations, my immunity is something else I take into consideration when deciding to go to church, a sporting event, where I sit in a classroom or inviting people into my home. I always have to have the somewhat awkward conversation of using the provided hand sanitizer sitting out.

With regard to my upcoming surgery, I will have to stop certain medications that weaken my immune system before and after in order to get some healing factor back. After that, it will be back to the world of waiting several weeks to go to the movie theater in order to navigate a smaller crowd.

Have a great weekend!