April 2, 2020: 7, 8, Sci-Fi Fate
Note: Cancer updates at the end of this post if you would like to skip ahead.
On the cover of this post: Meet Covy, our paint-by-number ‘Colorful Frog’ that has kept us (read: me) calm and connected as a family over the past few weeks. Border added a la carte by Hannah. Once we wrap up the finishing touches on this guy, a sea turtle will be next.
My family has become well-acquainted with our Netflix profiles during this period of social distancing. Hannah’s account is filled with bright pink cartoons and Mike’s has the typical, popular fare that one would expect. Mine looks like stepping into an art student’s homage to “The Expanse” and “The Walking Dead”. It gives the impression that I’ve been in training for a post-apocalyptic world all my life (or since I got a Netflix account).
The same goes for my taste in books – I devour science fiction. The list of authors I’ve burned through (and recommend) include: N.K. Jemisin, Liu Cixin, Neal Stephenson, Orson Scott Card, Anne McCaffrey, C.J. Cherryh, Ursula K. Le Guin, Anne Leckie, Octavia E. Butler, Nancy Kress, Martha Wells, Becky Chambers, John Sanford and Ctein, Adrian Tchaikovsky…. I could go on as if I was the living embodiment of the science fiction section of the Library of Congress.
Sci-Fi fans have been (rightfully so) stereotyped as geeking out on the minutiae of movies/shows/books/games. I respect that, but it’s not what keeps my interest in this genre. See, I LOVE reading advice columns. To me, ALL of science fiction is like an advice column, but, like, the most EXTREME advice column ever.
Example 1: Dear Abby Cyborg, I have a problem with creatures invading my spacecraft and implanting their young in my crew without consent. What should I do? –#MeToo
Answer: Whip out a handy-dandy 20-foot exosuit and crush their intentions. Flamethowers are also a wonderful deterrent to prevent invasion of personal space.
(Fun Fact: I imprinted deeply on Sigourney’s Ripley character when I saw Aliens as a young kid.)
Example 2: Dear Abby Cyborg, I need some childcare, but it’s been tough to find with most of the human population gone. What would you recommend? –Carrier of the Fire
Answer: Stay away from men with no thumbs, and check out families with dogs. If the dogs aren’t being used for food, that’s a good sign they will not eat your child.
Example 3: Dear Abby Cyborg, There is a new pandemic that is actively spreading across the world. What would you suggest communities do? –Can’t stop coughing
Answer: Sadly, this question is why Contagion is so popular right now. Wash hands. Stay socially distant. Quarantine yourself if you have had exposure to anyone who has the illness. If you become sick, inform those you have been in contact recently so that they can ‘break the chain’. Listen to medical professionals and organizations; don’t follow conspiracy theorists.
My husband told me that when I first was diagnosed with cancer, it felt like he was living in a nightmare – and that this situation with Covid-19 feels just as terrible. It’s true, these horrible scenarios are awful. They are scary. They induce anxiety, feelings of depression, and a lack of power over one’s life. They also create insidious boredom and frustration.
Here’s where I find solace in the science fiction I’ve consumed over the years: the hope. This genre doesn’t just say “hope for the best!” – they actually painstakingly detail outcomes. They pave a way. Sure, society may not follow that specific path, but it gets us thinking about what we CAN do. Science fiction inspires us. And if one is looking for entertainment that will help figure out ways to contain Covid-19, check out the link below to Plague, Inc. This popular game was retooled in response to Covid-19 to crowd-source ways of stopping outbreaks. It’s owned by Ndemic, a company that is currently working with WHO and CEPI, and has donated substantially to efforts to contain the coronavirus.
Cancer update: Due to the mild chronic neuropathy I experienced after infusion #6, and the continually low platelets, they lowered the dose of oxaliplatin for #7 by 80% and removed the leucovorin. That went well, and I experienced virtually no side effects this past round. However, my platelets were still hammered, so #8 will be delayed by a week, and we plan to drop the oxaliplatin to 60% of a full dose. My oncologist is speculating that my Gilbert’s syndrome may be playing a role in how I’m processing the chemotherapy, and may contribute to my platelets being hit so hard. Due to all the delays in therapy, she would like for me to have a CT scan in May. We may pursue a ‘curative’ surgery if, at the end of chemo, there is something to remove. (As noted before, although I am NED, that doesn’t mean nothing is there- just that the CT doesn’t see anything.)
Covid-19 impact on my treatment: Fortunately, very limited so far. Many patients have had their surgeries and treatments delayed/ canceled due to coronavirus risk. My conversation with Dr. [S] was done via a teleconference, I’m not allowed visitors to the infusion center, they check my temperature upon arrival, and I was provided a mask to wear next time. Constant hand washing and hand sanitizing.
3 thoughts on “April 2, 2020: 7, 8, Sci-Fi Fate”
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Thank you for the update Renee – sending love and positive energy. PS – are you familiar with BookBub? On-line, ebook marketer. They offer free and discounted books, They also have an audiobook app called Chirp. Email me if you want more info. It is the start-up my son works for.
Sounds good, Danette! I’ll send you an e-mail.
I’m finally getting a chance to catch up on your blog. I often wonder and think to myself what if my treatments that occurred 2 yrs ago were occurring during the time of a pandemic? I can’t even imagine having to step into a hospital 5 days a week for radiation right now. It is a time of uncertainty and you my friend are handling this with grace, confidence and hope. Love your positive vibes and keep yourself busy with all that sci-fi and enjoying family time. Stay safe my friend.