Side Effects...............

Because of the transplant, I take a whole bunch of pills. Most of them in the morning, and the rest around supper time. The prescription ones, obviously, deal with my heart. They control blood pressure, cholesterol, and rejection. By and large, I have no problem with any of them, except Cellcept.

Cellcept is an anti-rejection medicine. And it has an unpleasant side effect on my digestive system from time to time. The first time it happened, I was hospitalized for a week, and they wound up lowering the dose. It's one of those lesser-of-two-evils situations, since the anti-rejection benefit outweighs the personal discomfort.

But these anti-rejection meds have to also be viewed as immuno-suppressants. Basically, they suppress my immune system so it's natural reaction to attack anything invasive - like my new heart - doesn't kick in. One of the things my cardiologist's office has told me to do is to see a Dermatologist because I am now more susceptible to skin cancers. In fact, 70% of transplant recipients gets some form of skin cancer within 20 years of the operation.

I'd been putting it off, but I finally made an appointment and saw a Dermatologist this past Monday. I wasn't expecting anything other then a quick exam and maybe a recommendation for a moisturizer. What I got was a needle in the face, a slice taken out, and a laser cauterization. Apparently, the doctor didn't like something and decided to take a sample and send it out to be tested. Not having heard anything by yesterday, I called and found out it takes 1 to 2 weeks to get the results back.

 Now, I was frustrated. Not that I was particularly worried about it. I knew the chances, and I knew that whatever it was can be taken care of. I just didn't think it should take that long to test something that small.

And it dawned on me that there'd been not contact from Doyle, or the Delaware subject, Gordon, even though I'd staged that Event a couple of weeks ago.

Like I said, frustrated.

This morning, I went for a drive. I wasn't going anywhere in particular, but I wanted to do something to relieve the frustration. It was overcast, and raining on and off, so there weren't a lot of people out. But I did come up behind a mailman taking some stuff out of the back of his van.

I was tempted, but the problem here was that the area was wide open, and I was pretty sure he'd see me if I were to pull over and since he'd be going up to the front of people's houses, I didn't want to take any chances.

I drove on. But I was definitely itching.

I headed up Route 27, but changed my mind and pulled into the WalMart shopping area to turn back. Driving around the back, there was this guy looking at something in his engine. I slowed down.

The Flasher was in my hand, and I lowered the driver's side window. I checked all my mirrors. There was no one else around. I came up along side him.

Point, press, Flash.

I drove past. In my side view mirror, I could see him slumped into the engine, propped there like he was still standing.

I drove back to Metuchen. The sky started to clear. I was feeling better.

I decided to stop at the library, so I turned onto School Street and parked. That's when I noticed this old man walking on the other side of the street. I got out and crossed over. I wound up following behind him.

He walked just passed the library, and turned right, between the library and the next door dentist's office. There's a small pathway there. It's not used very often.

I followed him in, looking around all the time. No one. Nothing. And he never turned around.

Point, press, Flash.

I turned around quickly, retracing my steps, and went into the library. I spent about 20 minutes inside. When I came out, there was no activity. Everything was normal. I got into my car and drove home.

I was feeling good.

There are side effects to all sorts of things.