Day -1 continued

Almost immediately after posting earlier I met with the doctor for my physical. As expected she did not tell me whether or not I was in the trial nor did she tell anyone else for that matter. Although she did tell me my high heart wasn't that big a deal and that she would base her decision on people's labs. She then said that I had really good labs, "perfect" I think is the word she used. What can I say? I have good blood. Anyway this is also good news because I know a handful of people had to have their tests redone. (My roommate is currently talking in his sleep) Speaking of my roommate he is sick. He hasn't thrown up since last night, but he also hasn't had much of an appetite, so we'll see what happens tonight. I've also considered the possibility that my heart rate is being influenced by the onset of an illness. I don't feel any other symptoms, so probably not. If I get in I'll check in on Facebook.

Day -1

Well, the fact that I am still here means I must I have passed the screening. One of my room mates just said that the doctor is telling everyone as they do the physical if they are getting dosed or not. The thing is no one is leaving, so why would people be required to stay if they weren't going to be dosed tomorrow. It just doesn't add up, so I am pretty sure he is wrong.

Regardless if whether I find out in a few minutes when I get my physical or tomorrow morning, I am pretty sure I am going home. That is because every time I have done standing vitals my heart rate was over the acceptable range. That doesn't necessarly mean I cant take the drug, but it does increase the chance that eight people are in a better position then I am. There are a few things that I have learned that seem to show other people are having worse problems then I am. For example a few people had to have blood redrawn because their labs were bad. (remember my hope that people drank on new years, well maybe they did) Also one of my room mates got sick last night for no apparent reason.

If I had no heart rate problem then I would be in the clear, but other peoples bad blood tests and getting sick might be enough to make it so anyway. Also if I do go home tomorrow I am pretty sure I get paid for how long I have been here, so that means I would get about $450 and I would be put on priority for the next trial since I hadn't taken the drug yet.  I wasn't told that about this trial, but I know that's standard procedure for the trials I have been in before.  I'll post again today if I learn anything more.

Day -2

As of right now it seems entirely possible that I am in a trial that I am not supposed to be in. I'll tell you how its come to this, but first a little background on West Coast Clinical Trials.

WCCT is essentially broken into two different parts. One part is the business and the other is the medical. The business part takes care of finding and organizing volunteers for every trial, along with many other things, but the rest doesn't really pertain to the story. The medical part actually conducts the trial on the volunteers. We will call these two parts the office and the clinic.

A couple weeks ago I call the office to set up a screening to see if I qualify for a trial. A couple days later I go to the appointment and do the procedures. A doctor does a physical and says I'm fine, so I only have to wait for the blood tests to come back. WCCT is notorious for not calling back and informing you about your tests, so after a while I call to inquire. I was told that the tests were good accept that one hadn't come back yet, but that I was expected to pass that one so I should get a confirmation email soon after its come back. This was last Tuesday and the rest of the week went by without any email. I knew that I was supposed to check in next week on Monday, so I called Saturday to see if the other test has come back. Except unlike the clinic the office has normal operating hours, which means they're not open on the weekend and that they wont be open till Tuesday since Monday is a holiday. Monday comes and I contemplate waiting for them to call to see why I am late for check in. This was a possibility since once before for a different trial they had neglected to send me an email even though I qualified and was expected to check in, but I decide that even though I can't get a hold of anyone I was just going to try and check in instead of wait for the call. I figured if I wasn't supposed to be there they would tell me to leave.

As I expected there was no secretary at the window, but a medical assistant saw me and came up to the window. I told him that I didn't know if I was supposed to check in today since I never got a confirmation email. After I told him my initials he said that it was good that I showed up. This was the highest point of the day, but it almost immediatly spiraled down afterwards. It turns out the reason he said this was because there is a bracelett with my initials and a screening number ready for me. Everythings good until I go to sign in on the admissions list and my name isn't on it. This essentially means that if I hadn't decided to come in today I wouldn't have gotten a call like I thought I would.

Fourtunatly me not being on the list was simply remedied by a doctor writing in my name at the bottom of the list. I don't know if this is standard for people who are checking in that aren't on the list or if it was because the doctor and I had become friends since we spent a lot of time together in all of my previous trials. I wasn't surprised that he recognized me, but I was surprised that he remembered my name since my last trial was in July. Anyway I am sure the real reason I was added was because there was a braclett ready for me and a bunk already asigned to me.

After that I was sent to another doctor I already knew and she seemed to remember me as well. This is when I found out I didn't have a "source" which is what they call the big binder with our initials on it that they have for each volunteer. Her reaction is to go up stairs, which is where the office is. She comes back and says she'll just use a blank source and that they didn't inform her that I was coming. She also says something about it having to go before a panel tomorrow. After which she blows off both of these statements and says its nothing to worry about. I know the office is closed so I am pretty sure she didn't talk to anybody, not that she would need to since she is the head cordinator of this trial. Anyway its possible that she thinks there was a lack of communication between the office and her. It seems everyone might just be assuming I am supposed to be here and I am afraid when the office opens tomorrow they will say, no we didn't send him the email because he isn't supposed to be here. All of this worry might be for nothing since all it takes to be in a trial is to pass the screening and be there for check in. The thing is though, that I might not have gotten the email because I might have failed one of the blood test. Although though if I failed then why is there a braclett and bed ready for me. The only other thing I have going for me is that two of the people who the clinic thought were supposed to show up today didn't.

Lastly, even if I don't get sent home tomorrow there is a good chance I will on Wednesday. This is because they over shoot the amount of people checking in compared to the amount actually taking the drug. They do this because people don't show up and people might do something to alter their health since the screening. The reason I say I have a bad chance of staying is because I heard someone say that the doctor said, "that if everyone passes fine then they will remove four people from the bottom of the list." I am third from last, but I theorize that all I need is for two people to screw up their tests, then they will only remove two people from the bottom of the list. Here's to hoping someone couldn't resist having a couple drinks for new years.

Day 18-24

So I realized last post that these titles are no longer appropriate since I hardly talk about what happens on those days, but I figured I would finish the trial this way. Although if I do another trial I will change the titles.

Anyway, I am getting out today!!! This one seemed significantly faster than the last one even though it was only shorter by a week. It could be that I got more done or it could be that I didn't have a room mate driving me crazy. Don't get me wrong I am VERY EXCITED about getting out of here, but I don't think I am going to be shaking like the last time I left this place.

Here is what I did to pass the time. Read 3 1/2 books, watched too many movies for me to remember the amount, played through 2 video games and one of them twice and went through the second season of Twin Peaks again just for kicks. 

So I am really looking forward to some awesome food and seeing my friends tonight at Yard House and also moving in to my new room is going to be fun. In case you didn't know this is the first time I am going to have my own room. You have know idea how excited I am about this. This is going to be an awesome summer.

Were getting to the end of the last post, so I want to thank all of you who visited me I seriously appreciate it. It really helps diminish the feeling of isolation. Which is funny that I say that right after I talk about how much I want my own room. Anyway that's it see you guys soon.

Day 11-17

Ok I have really lost track of the days. I kept on meaning to do another post, but would just end up doing something else until really late. I tried to do a video tour a couple nights ago, but after I finished the video it mysteriously vainished off my phone. I'll give it another try soon.

Anyway the real subject of this post is about the people here.
First, is a guy called CBK. He is not in my room, but is in my group and sits near me. In fact he is supposed to sit next to me, but for some reason decided to sit elsewhere. He is the only person who does not sit where he is supposed to and it does cause some confusion with the staff, which regardless of his reason, I believe to be inconsiderate to the staff. This is only one of the reasons I do not like this guy. I am pretty sure he does not like me, so that makes me naturally inclined to recipricate the feeling. I have no real basis for why he shouldn't like me, except that he has chosen not to sit next to me from the begining and has never said a word to me. Although I have never said anything to him either. I would also like to point out that I shower everyday and unlike most people I wear a new set of clothes each day, so smell has nothing to do why he is not sitting next to me. What I have determined is that my youth and possible dress gives off an aura of liberalism that he cant stand. Although I keep on mentioning how he doesn't sit next to me I am actually greatful. That way I don't have to see or hear him constantly watching or listening to Glen Beck. To give you a better idea, this guy might have a Glen Beck shrine at home. That's enough on him.

This other guy known as DBW or the Scot or the Texan. To clarify he lives in Texas and is from Scottish descent. This guy seems somewhat normal until he talks about soy. He is convinced that if a male consumes to much soy that he will become effeminate. This is based on the actual fact that soy molecules break down into certain types of estrogen. However repeated studies have shown that eating soy or soy based products does not increase estrogen levels in the blood regardless of the amount of soy consumed. I later understood the basis of this fear when he revealed that he was homophobic.

The next guy is the German aka M-B aka Marcus. Even with what I am about to talk about regarding Marcus, I actually like the guy and think he is somewhat normal. That being said he believes that Germany is not its own sovreign country and hasn't been since the end of WWII, which according to him has never actually ended. I looked into this and found that these things were somewhat true up until 1990 when Germany reunified. It wasn't until then that Germany had the sovereignty it needed to legittimetly sign a peace treaty. So technically you could say WWII didn't end until the 90's, but you can't say its still going without sounding like a nut. Also he has this strange belief that dairy products cause diabetes. The only legetimate study I found said that it might cause diabetes in infants who consume too much dairy. This generally happens when people use cetain baby formulas that contain dairy. Although there are no studies or any conclusive evidence that anyone other than infants can get diabetes from cow milk. However there are other problems that people can get from consuming too much dairy, but even then it has to be a lot. Also through this research I found out why we're having so much soy milk here. That is because % of Asians who are lactose intolerant is very high. Also evolution undermines Marcus's claim. This is because the mutation that allows milk consumption past weaning is relatively new to humans and has only been around for about 7,500 years. So if drinking dairy was bad for you, than a gene that allowed you to consume it would not proliferate as much as it has since its introduction not so long ago. According to Marcus's belief the first few people with that mutation should have developed diabetes and with a lack of insulin shots died before reproductive age.

Lastly I am going to group a few of these guys here because its less about them and more about the one thing they believe. Among these guys the documentary Loose Change is considered to be the only truth regarding 9/11. Now admittedly when I first saw the documentary back in 2005 I was fairly convinced. It wasn't until I did my own critical thinking about what they proposed as the truth that I decided Occam's Razor wins out. I haven't found much evidence that these guys read that often or have much original thought, so I doubt logic or reason will ever sway them.

There is my rant about some of the people in here. I think satisfied my need to vent, so I doubt I'll bring up people's beliefs again unless I learn something worth mentioning. Well I'm at the end of the post here and I want to say how much I a looking forward to seeing my friends tomorrow. I know its going to consist of Brett, Jannah, Alex and possibly more but I'm not sure. Also, one more week!

Day 6-10

It finally happened today. I was walking to get my lunch and I realized that I wasn't hungry. Now this wasn't because my breakfast was exceptionally big, but that's not to say it was the smallest breakfast either. I have had this breakfast before because the meals have begun to repeat themselves and it didn't have this same effect before, so I know my stomach's will has been broken. This realization was solidified by the fact that I missed the starting point for my nighttime snack. One of the staff actually had to come get me. That never happens, I'm usually checking the clock every half hour or so seeing how long it is until I get to eat something and when it gets to within 10 minutes I go there so they don't have to come get me.

Now just because I have adapted to the small portions doesn't mean I don't think about food anymore. Actually, I have recently found myself planning out exactly what I will eat on the first day I get out. Then I start thinking about all of the things I want to have that first week, but I'll start with the first day.

First, I want to have a half pound bean and cheese burrito with no sauce from Del Taco for breakfast since I will be getting out in the morning. Then for lunch I will have a Chipotle burrito with black beans, rice, cheese, mild salsa, medium salsa, guacamole and lettuce, although I'm sure it'll end up being just half of a burrito, but still I want chips as well. Then to finish the day off I will have Yard House nachos with a beer or two for dinner. I seriously can not wait. I generally don't think about food that much, to me its more of just something you need to get through the day rather than the focus of it, but for that day each meal will be a focal point.

As for the things I want during the first week I don't have a specific order or time. I just know that I want each of these at a seperat time throughout the week; a mocha latte, a malt, pancakes with syrup, salad from Olive Garden, peanut butter and jelly sandwich, ice cream, Subway sandwich, Mongolian BBQ, pizza with extra cheese and yet to be determined toppings. Did you catch that extra cheese part and all of the cheese on the first day? You know why? Because you know what there isn't in an Asian diet? You guessed it, cheese. No cheese this entire time and I freakin love cheese. I'm ok with there not being meat on my pizza ever again, I don't miss meat and my experience here having to eat it again has only solidified that, but there better damn well be plenty of cheese on my pizza. Which is why I could never be a vegan.

I know I said I was going to talk about my roommates, but that will have to wait till next time. I am really looking forward to all the visitors I will be getting this week. First there will be Alex tomorrow who unknown to him until possibly now will be joined by Ryan and Austin. This is because they asked to come on Monday and I can't sign up for another spot on the same day, so we'll all be together. Then on Wednesday, which will be the studies half way point, Casey and Natalie will be visiting. Even though Brett isn't coming this week I still want to mention him and say that I am looking forward to the fourth. That's it. See you guys.

Day 2-5

I have lost a few pounds already, I checked a couple days ago and I was down four pounds, but I'm guessing its more by now. Besides that this is the easiest trial ever. We started off with a high dose and no one has reported feeling anything. On top of that we have almost no procedures.

This is what the day consist of, health assessment (which is just them asking how we feel), vitals check (which is blood pressure, heart rate and temp), dosing and finally blood draw. After that nothing for the rest of the day and some days we don't have blood draws. Although there are PK days, but only four throughout the entire study and we already had one of them. Basically PK days are the same procedures as every other day but are repeated throughout most of the day. Although even these days are easy compared to the PK days of the previous study. The only thing about the PK days that sucks is that they draw your blood 11 times and they don't use a catheter. After the first PK day it looked like I had a drug problem, but that's going to be nothing compared to the two PK days that will be back to back. I am going to try to have them do 11 on one arm and 11 on the other for the following day, but that's assuming they hit a vein every time. On that subject they really like a vein on my right arm that is unusually large so they say, although they have never missed on that vein. Still you can only use a vein so many times before it gets really sore. Enough about blood.

I spend most of the day in a kind of routine, which is essentially just moving from one activity to another before it gets boring. I'll either brush my teeth before or after breakfast depending on when I wake up. After that I'll read for at least an hour. Right now I am reading Save the Cat and I am more than half way through. I already finished Franny and Zooey. After reading I'll catch up on my words with friends games. Followed by a long shower, long partly because the time slots are in 30 min increments, but mostly because there is no rush. Also I blast some music from my phone which I have just outside the shower curtain. After that I either go back to sleep or surf the internet. I might also get an episode of a show or a movie in there before lunch depending if I go back to sleep or not. If I don't go back to sleep I will eventually take a nap later in the day. After lunch the day will consist of alternating between the internet and watching streaming Netflix, especially now that I beat Portal 2. I'm guessing my days wont change much so I will devote more of my next post to my thoughts on the people around me.