After that, I waited, impatiently, for notice that the trial was ready for me to start. It finally started on the 19th. And the delay was merely preparation for the long day that was in store for me. Jen picked me up about 6:15 AM, and with a quick stop for breakfast, and traffic, we were fifteen minute late for the 7:30 appointment. We started the day with taking my vitals. My blood pressure was high. Gee, I wonder why! Then, they had trouble getting my IVs put in, then we waited an hour for lab results, talked to the doctor and clinical trial planner, waited for the pharmacy to mix the IV, order the free lunches (bonus!), took two hours to for the drug to infuse, take my vitals and blood samples LOTS of times. Through all of this, Jen and I entertained ourselves watching cartoons on TV, playing online games, solving some brainteasers, and general time wasters. At about 2:00, they said I'd be there until 6:30 (!) so we knew to settle in for the long hall. When they said at about 3:45 that the next test was not until 6:30, we decided to go on a nice long walk to stretch our legs. After the walk, we went back for more time-wasting, and the last blood draw and vitals check. Dinner on the way home, and we finally pulled up to my house at about 8:20 PM.
The good news is the only weird side-effect I noticed was a strange taste during the IV infusion that went away shortly after the IV stopped. Rich and I went back for another blood draw this morning, and aside from a lack of sleep (I think due to nervousness about the trial) I feel great.
Now, I just have to keep showing up for blood tests on various days, and the drug infusion every other Tuesday, and wait for my next CT scan June 13th, and the results on June 14th, while I try not to get my hopes up for a miracle. Thanks for reading!
