Sunday, February 12, 2006

RETURN OF THE FUNNY GUY

I, FUNNY GUY REAPPEARS

After a long absence from the blogscope, the Funny Guy bursts forth with a fresh rant about anything and everything…but first things first. A note to the commentators from the previous entry: Joakim, Ron, and Cavedeb. I like the comments a lot, like more than I can explain, but I have no way of accessing your email address through the blog. If you were to write to me at info@svengirly.com, I would then be able to get back to you with a personal note. Such as if you ask me a question on the blog, I would only be able to post a comment as a way to answer your question. If you write to me through the website it would be more efficient and I can answer your question in more detail. Joakim, I will see you in Stockholm in a couple of weeks. We’re going to rock the joint, you can count on that. Ron, I would love to answer your MC5 question with a personal response. Not that other people aren’t interested in that info, but at this time, it’s better to respond one on one. Cavedeb; thanks so much for being in my corner and giving me a boost in the morale department.
And now to the major news story of the day. Interferon Funny Guy has tested negative for the Hepatitis C virus. Surprisingly, this test result was from a blood sample of last October 2005. Three weeks ago, after my last blog entry, I went to see Bartley and he made a rather off handed remark that I had tested negative some time ago. Why am I worrying about whether the treatment is working when the answer has already been noted? I suppose there are times it’s in the patient’s best interest not to know every detail of his progress. While I know a little knowledge is a dangerous thing, I don’t like the feeling of being treated like a laboratory hamster. Once I learned that we were through the barrier, my sense of revitalization took me on a trip of freedom regained. The dark cloud of being held by an invader lifted from my shoulders, and a bright day appeared on the other side. So, it seems, in my case anyway, at 4 months of treatment, the virus was purged according to test standards. It is now closing in on 8 months of my treatment experience. Dr Bartley’s method of treatment prefers that the patient continue the treatment process to completion, 48 weeks. In this way, every effort is made to eradicate any lurking viruses and reduce chances of relapse by a greater margin. OK, that’s fine with me. Knowing that this just a means of overkill is a lot more comforting than wondering if anything is working. The real silver lining of the present routine is not having to give myself blood boosters on a daily basis. My cell counts are all normal, and that was the only mitigating factor that might have derailed my quest. Without multiple shots as a daily action, I am free to feel like a regular person, a wonderful feeling. So that’s the story as of now. I am virus free.
Angela and I have joined a fitness club. During the past 7.5 months of inactivity, I lost a good deal of muscle mass. Since I know a smattering of exercise really won’t bring dramatic results, it only makes sense to provide myself with a more rigorous training schedule. Trying to keep a M/W/F routine is what we have decided on. After one week, I feel pretty good, a little sore, but very inspired to get it on and back in shape in a much better way. Having a partner to workout with is a happy experience, one that keeps you focused and enjoying the challenges.

There are a lot of subjects I want to talk about in the coming blogs. Your comments are always most welcome. I want to talk about obsession and addiction; two human traits that occupy the majority of people young and old. I want to talk about what I’ve learned about these very basic drives and inability of people to say no to themselves.

I also want to talk about what we can do to change the tone of this world from rampant marketing and hustling to a compassionate reality that seeks to lift the burdens of our kind, and construct a creative, happier atmosphere.

One of the reasons I slacked off on the blog recently was because I grew tired of talking about the treatment. There seemed to be not much new in the way of revelations about the whole thing and it felt redundant even talking about it. I suppose by my accounts, most bases were covered one way or another and that by and large most of you got the story for what it was worth. As an overview, I can say the treatment is almost a mirror of the issues in each person’s psyche. It can be easy or hard according to the needs and expectations of each individual. Having a solid partner, i.e., some one who loves you, is the greatest assist I could have hoped for. I thank my wife eternally for what she gave me in terms of sustenance, tolerance, deliverance, perseverance, and good old fashioned humor. She also was a treat to look at when I was capable of nothing else. The remaining four months are a cakewalk as far as I’m concerned. It will be June in no time and we’ll leave it all behind as though it was never a matter of doubt. Before I get too sappy and carried away with euphoria, I should bail on this edition and leave some room for a new entry sooner than this one found it’s way onto the page.

Sayonara brothers and sisters.

Michael Davis

3 comments:

carol said...

Hi Michael,

Great news about the negative result. Everyone on treatment feels it's worth doing when they get that result. Lets face it you go putting all this medication in you that makes you feel like s**t to have a result makes it worthwhile.
Best of luck with the last few months.

Carol

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on healing and on the HepFree status. Remember the journey was given to you to teach you something and I know you know that. Go on with your life, with a new look, see it through the lense that sees it all. You do not need to fall into old bad habits, as you are free now, free of disease. Think how that alone makes you feel. You deserve a good life, you seem to have many friends and interests, go with them, like my son says, with no shit on my back. Answer to no one to nothing but you as you are now in control
All the best to you in your life,
Annie in New England

Anonymous said...

If you feel like writing me ever I am kunzite52@yahoo.com
annie in New England