Finally...

Monday was a day of frustrating ups and downs. After my post mid-morning, I received a call from Dr. K that she couldn't get me registered without my having bloodwork AGAIN at MSKCC. She wasn't sure that even having it done there with better results would mean she could get me registered in time for treatment on Tuesday. I hustled myself down to the office for my third needle stick in a week and called her office immediately upon completion to get the ball rolling. By 4:15, I still hadn't heard anything so I called her office. At 4:30 I received the news that I was registered and could start the trial Tuesday morning. Of course, I never did find out what the hCG level was from that final blood test.

We reported yesterday morning at 8:00, I had my port accessed and my blood drawn by 8:25, saw the research assistant at 8:55 and then sat in the waiting room until 11:20 as my glucose levels were checked and then the medications were prepared and tested. (I was assured that the process would be much quicker in the future. We'll see.) I started with the A12 at 11:30 for one hour and then had a half hour off. At 1:00, I received a 20-minute infusion of Benadryl and at 1:30 I had a 30-minute infusion of temsirolimus. We were headed home a few minutes after 2:00. Other than being very sleepy from the Benadryl, I felt fine and still feel good this morning. The chemo nurse informed me that after two weeks, two of the other participants in the trial had had no complications or side effects. Sounds like promising news.

This afternoon I'm off to the pulmonologist for a follow-up. He'll want to know how the Symbicort is working for me. The answer is that it's helping a bit, but the cough lingers. I can't believe my fellow busmates haven't thrown me off yet.

I hope the holiday preparations aren't wearing you down. I still need to finish that tree, and it's good to know that I'll feel good enough this week to work on it.