Today I participated in a pharmacokinetics study . . . a progressive blood draw over the span of 7 hours to see how my body absorbs and responds to steroids . . . a crucial piece to the puzzle for me.
At exactly 7:52am (yes - they look at the clock), they drew 7 huge vials of blood from my arm then administered a dose of prednisone. Now normally, I have no problem with blood draws and even used to give blood regularly . . . today, 7 huge vials almost took me out! I was dizzy and lightheaded and sat down to drink some juice.
Then, at exactly 9:52am (again - clock looking before drawing), they drew 1 vial . . . much better than 7 . . . and had more waiting time. It's taken us only 7 days at National Jewish to discover a huge room full of tables for eating, hanging out and waiting . . . duh! So, instead of waiting for hours in small cramped places and uncomfortable chairs, we waited in style. We played games, ate a packed lunch and waited.
Then, at exactly 1:52pm . . . you get the point . . . two more giant vials . . . went pale on the lady so I got a free cranberry juice! The perks get better everyday.
At 2pm I attended a "nutrition for people with lung disease" class . . . I learned not to worry to much about eating a crazy "anti-inflammatory diet" as there is no proof in any "special" foods that magically cure asthma . . (no Travis - we don't have to eat a diet consisting only of lima beans for the rest of our life) The importance (as is important for everyone) is eating a healthy balanced diet with lots of good healthy protein and fruits and veggies and lots of water . . . that I can do.
Headed back upstairs for a final sputum induction test . . . and finished all the tests!!!! In a span of 6 days at the hospital, I went through over 35 tests, consults and procedures . . . and I feel it today . . . my hiney is dragging . . .
We wore our matching Denver shirts for a final picture . . .
I don't know if you can see in the picture but my mom is practically holding me up on the wall . . . I'm about ready to fall over . . .
Tomorrow is a big day . . . we do a final spirometry test then meet with the team of doctors and nurses for an hour long appointment . . . they are going over all the tests (that have results back - some need 4-6 weeks to finalize and we'll get those results at home) . . . they are going to recommend a better management plan and hopefully send us home with some fresh ideas . . . I'm ready - I'm ready to hear the final assessment . . . and I'm ready to go home . . .
This has been an incredible experience . . . I am so thankful for this opportunity - it has been so much more than I ever imagined . . . in good and difficult ways . . . we have met incredible people, treated like family at our hotel, supported and cared about by the hospital staff, maxed out on tests, exhausted by appointments, worn down with constant motions . . . and yet, I will never look back and regret one second here . . . the time with my mom has been priceless . . . the number of people with the same illness as myself has been encouraging . . . and the cutting edge of respiratory medication has been fascinating and exciting . . . I think it's gonna take me weeks to even process all that's happened here . . . thanks for joining us in this journey . . . more to come tomorrow . . .
waiting on pins and needles for the final results....
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