We leave for Cincinnati on Thursday. I have been anticipating this appointment with Pearl Ann's hepatologist for awhile. I can't say I have either looked forward to it or dreaded it, just that I have seen it looming ahead of me since our last appointment. It is a big one. We have to make the decision as to whether we will allow Pearl to take a certain drug on a maintenance dose or not. She has a poor history with side effects and drugs, especially this kind, so the answer should be no, but then we worry about not taking this drug or one like it as well. If what the hepatologist says is true, then she could become very sick with infections if she doesn't take it.

I have done my research - I read a chemistry book and understand a little bit about the drug itself (I think). Well, I know enough to know that what I was worried about originally probably isn't an issue because of the chemical structure. But then there is anecdotal evidence about this drug - there are a lot of people out there who have had terrible side effects. It is a tough call to make. I still have a couple of days to think about it and form questions to put to the doctor. I need to start putting these thoughts down on paper...