I will take that on the side please...

I will take that on the side please...

A chicken fajita roll-up with an extra cup of the sauce, on the side.
Steak, baked potato, broccoli with several slices of lemon, on the side.
Grilled chicken salad, apples, cranberries, with the vinaigrette dressing on the side
                       
On the side, can be an important place to be. It is often a place set aside for something particular, special or specific. Space designated for your enhancements. The extra chipotle ranch is for dipping my fries in, the lemons make broccoli amazingly great and the salad dressing on the side is something I have always done.  Not really sure as to why this is my habit. Perhaps it began in an effort to use less of the dressing but honestly and truthfully I  really have no good reason for such a request. I just say "on the side, please." So, I guess one can semis that to be "on the side" could be for good or enjoyments and yet again, "on the side" could simply be for no reason or no good reason at the very least.

See for yourself...

Side effects include:  

drowsiness, dizziness;
sleep problems (insomnia);mild nausea, gas, heartburn, upset stomach, constipation;weight changes;dry mouth, yawning, ringing in your ears.very stiff (rigid) muscles, high fever, sweating, fast or uneven heartbeats, tremors, overactive reflexes;feeling unsteady, loss of coordination;headache, trouble concentrating, memory problems, weakness, confusion, hallucinations, fainting, seizure, shallow breathing or breathing that stops;or severe skin reaction -- fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain, followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling. 
Less serious side effects may include: (Lesser side effects, HOORAY - are we sure?)Cold symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat; drowsiness, dizziness, feeling nervous; mild nausea, upset stomach, constipation; increased appetite, weight changes; sleep problems (insomnia); dry mouth.

*Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. 

"Side effects include" is not perhaps a place where anyone wants to be. Because truth be told, being on the side doesn't make everything great. And can you agree with me that it is as if sometimes that the side effects of a prescription sound worse than the condition it is to be managing or even healing. If you want to serve me up a plate of steak with a side of baked potatoes and a caesar salad then bring it on. But if you are serving up some of the side effects above, I can do without. And yet do you know what I get more on the side of...unfortunately...Side Effects.

This is my greatest struggle right now. And if you are one to want to know a "specific request" for prayer - this is my difficulty.   As I have begun both a new medication and a new chemotherapy my body is adjusting.  In my adjusting I am losing calories at a fast pace. I am losing strength and maintain a low blood pressure as just a few of my SIDE effects. Not to mention chemo mouth - which makes eating nearly impossible. And I want everyone to know that I am trying to attack these side effects head on, much like you would attack a good baked potato, or a side of extra dipping sauce. Yet, my body resists.  This is a hard and delicate place to be. According to my General Physician I do not have enough calories in my body to maintain normal functions much less enough calories to do more that just survive and to fight the disease that dictates my sides. 

So when you go out and order anything on the side; when you watch a medical commercial and hear the side effects of a medication that is supposed to help - please think of me! Pray that the side effects of my medication mean a positive increased health and that until I am healed fully of this monster called cancer, may my sides (as in side effects) be small, not difficult or overpowering. Above all may they be fast to be erased! Until that day I pray I can  continue to enjoy all the beautiful things served on the side that  I can and God, He knows he has got the other sides to attend to (mild nausea, upset stomach, decreased appetite, dry mouth, mouth sores, aching muscles, feeling unsteady, low blood pressure!) And with you my friends, we keep praying!