Downhill

Throwback photo.  From last year.

Since I have a lot of time on my hands these days, I get to contemplate pretty useless things.  For example, the word “downhill”.   It is one of those words that can mean one thing in certain contexts and the exact opposite in others.

“Going downhill” can mean deteriorating as in “he’s going downhill”.  But to a bike rider, “going downhill” means things have gotten easier.  You’ve pedaled hard and made it to the top of the hill and now you get the reward of a downhill.

So, I’m using the bike rider context to point out that I’ve reached the halfway point of my treatment and it should be all downhill from here.  This whole thing started 4 months ago and as of Sept 1, I have 4 months to go.  The forecast is that I will complete the Hyper CVAD treatment on December 30.  So, by this reckoning, I’m on the downhill side of the treatment.  It’s still a long road, but at least the end is closer than the beginning. 

I’ll be checking back into Cedars tomorrow.  For those of you keeping score at home, I’ll be getting Part B of round 3.  I expect I’ll be there until Monday or Tuesday, which means I’ll be celebrating Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Years) in the hospital.  There WILL be a service at the hospital chapel and if my immunity levels allow, I’ll be able to attend.  If not, I can watch it on the TV set in my room.  This could be a test of my piety somewhat equivalent to Job.  If I can stick it out for the whole service without switching to SportsCenter, I’m truly a pious man.

Shana Tovah to all.