As I sit here getting my weekly drip, I thought I would enlighten you all on my definition of ‘roid rage’. Steroids are a huge part of my chemotherapy treatment. I get them in pill form 1/2 hr before each treatment and I know they are working, as I don’t usually sleep the evening of treatment. My head is racing and I feel like I could run a marathon. Well not really a marathon but they do keep me awake.

My husband recently pointed out another side effect of the steroids which I refer to as ‘roid rage’. Apparently I have been a bit more bossier than usual and quick to jump in to fix things. Now I already know that I am a type A personality and have a tendency to want to be “in control”, but I was told this has been amplified by the steroids. The good news is that Jeff, my husband, is very low key and we’ve been married for 28+ years so he lets it roll off. The other good news is that I am aware of it and try to modify my reactive responses to situations before I speak. So if you’ve been a victim of my ‘roid rage’, I apologize now. If not, I apologize in advance!

On a more positive note, there is a huge benefit to the steroids. I golf in a 9 hole league every Tuesday and since we started the season (post chemo) I have been driving the ball 200 – 220 yards getting me that much closer to the green and ultimately allowing my game to improve. Some might say it’s an unfair advantage, however no one gave me any strokes 6 years ago when the chemo affected my red blood cells and weakened my game substantially so I’m thinking we’re even.