A walk on the dark side

I'm more than half-way through my scheduled treatment. I finished radiation treatment March 9 and today I finished my first of three cycles of the chemo drug Taxotere. I have my next cycle April 17 and the final cycle May 8. Three weeks later, we'll take a look inside the body with a PET scan. ...
Today was the most upbeat my lead oncologist has been. She expressed confidence that I was on the road to being among the 27 percent to 30 percent of five-year survivors of stage III lung cancer. I told her that was my plan all along. ...
Taxotere has its own set of side effects. I may experience flu-like symptoms: aching bones, joints and muscles. Also, tingling in the fingers and toes, and possible nail problems ~ color changes and, in rare cases, loss of nails. If I don't like the change in nail color, I'll go goth and paint 'em black. I may even change my name. According to deadname.com, my name (using William, not Bill) translates to Leather Pleasure in goth. That should go over well in church. I guess you can tell I have too much time on my hands. I need to get back to work soon! ...
Another side effect, of course, is hair loss. Yet one of the side effects of the steroid I'm taking with this chemo is excessive hair growth. Ah, the possibilities. Will the right side of my body have hair and left side be smooth? Will my upper body be bald and lower body be hairy? Or will I have spots? Yes, I have too much time on my hands (Will I have hairy knuckles and bald toes?). ...
My Lady Vols take on the Lady Tar Heels in the Elite Eight on Tuesday. I have several friends who'll be pulling for the gals from Chapel Hill, but, misguided as they are, I still love them. Go Lady Vols and God bless you all!