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.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Sunday, July 3, 2011
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!
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!
Sunday, June 26, 2011
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.
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.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
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.
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.
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Day 1
As I mentioned in a previous blog I will not be posting everyday, but instead every four days or so depending on events.
Today was interesting and deserves its own post since it was the first whole day. To qualify for this trial you had to fit within very specific parameters as far as liver enzymes and thyroid levels are concerned. These things are affected by anything ranging from a drug to excercise. When I say drug that includes caffeine. On top of this the clinic was checking in four people more than was needed for each race. That means twelve people who thought they were in the study, by this morning were told to go home with very little compensation. Needless to say the tension among the volunteers was high last night and this morning. I was not exempt from this stress especially considering I didn't follow the guidlines to qualify. The first thing is that I took a couple vicodin about a week ago for the teething pain of my wisdom teeth, just so I could go to sleep. We weren't supposed to have any prescriptions between the screening and the study. Also I crashed my bike recently and have visible injuries from it. Last but not least I didn't avoid exesive physical activity. In fact I moved out the day before the trial into a storage unit. Not just that, I also helped Zach load this 300 pound log into his truck. This apperently had a very little affect on me since I had the second to best levels for all the cuacasians and obviously got into the study.
Just a little more side info. There are a few participents that I recognize from the trial I was in before. There is Art, Marcus (aka The German), The Chinaman, and The Viking (aka the Hell's Angel guy). Also plenty of the staff recognize me and seem happy to see me.
The food situation is a bit more slim than the last study, but the participants are mostly made up of people who don't complain, so you wouldn't know it. This does mean that I will be losing more weight and since I haven't gained back the weight I lost from the last study I'm guessing I'll lose another notch in my belt by the end. Which in case you didn't know is the 10th of July. Although the food is minimal I really like it so far since its almost entirely Asian food and contains very little meat. Which actually has been the main source of complaints for the rest of the Caucasians. The study demographics are, 12 Japanese, 12 Chinese and 12 Caucasians. There are only two women in the study, one is white and the other is Japanese, I think. That's it for now.
Today was interesting and deserves its own post since it was the first whole day. To qualify for this trial you had to fit within very specific parameters as far as liver enzymes and thyroid levels are concerned. These things are affected by anything ranging from a drug to excercise. When I say drug that includes caffeine. On top of this the clinic was checking in four people more than was needed for each race. That means twelve people who thought they were in the study, by this morning were told to go home with very little compensation. Needless to say the tension among the volunteers was high last night and this morning. I was not exempt from this stress especially considering I didn't follow the guidlines to qualify. The first thing is that I took a couple vicodin about a week ago for the teething pain of my wisdom teeth, just so I could go to sleep. We weren't supposed to have any prescriptions between the screening and the study. Also I crashed my bike recently and have visible injuries from it. Last but not least I didn't avoid exesive physical activity. In fact I moved out the day before the trial into a storage unit. Not just that, I also helped Zach load this 300 pound log into his truck. This apperently had a very little affect on me since I had the second to best levels for all the cuacasians and obviously got into the study.
Just a little more side info. There are a few participents that I recognize from the trial I was in before. There is Art, Marcus (aka The German), The Chinaman, and The Viking (aka the Hell's Angel guy). Also plenty of the staff recognize me and seem happy to see me.
The food situation is a bit more slim than the last study, but the participants are mostly made up of people who don't complain, so you wouldn't know it. This does mean that I will be losing more weight and since I haven't gained back the weight I lost from the last study I'm guessing I'll lose another notch in my belt by the end. Which in case you didn't know is the 10th of July. Although the food is minimal I really like it so far since its almost entirely Asian food and contains very little meat. Which actually has been the main source of complaints for the rest of the Caucasians. The study demographics are, 12 Japanese, 12 Chinese and 12 Caucasians. There are only two women in the study, one is white and the other is Japanese, I think. That's it for now.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Monday, April 25, 2011
Day 24
Today is the last time the test drug subjects will be getting the test drug. Since I am convinced that's me then I will no longer be on the drug tomorrow for the first time in 27 days. Its really crazy to think about how long I have been in here. I am so excited about the simple things I will get to do like, drive my car, blast my stereo, sleep by myself, eat what I want, have my clothes on hangers, eat with real utensils, open a window, be called by my name, and of course ride my bike.
Today was full of procedures, so it wasn't just busy for us it was also a very busy day for the staff. I felt bad for the staff having to work today, so I talked to them between procedures and tried to make them laugh. I ended up making a few more friends with the staff because of it. It also made me really want to come back here and maybe work here if I can.
The worst thing about today and tomorrow is that I have to wear an ECG and have a catheter until Tuesday morning. Plus I wont be able to take a shower during that time. I really want this to be over, so close.
Today was full of procedures, so it wasn't just busy for us it was also a very busy day for the staff. I felt bad for the staff having to work today, so I talked to them between procedures and tried to make them laugh. I ended up making a few more friends with the staff because of it. It also made me really want to come back here and maybe work here if I can.
The worst thing about today and tomorrow is that I have to wear an ECG and have a catheter until Tuesday morning. Plus I wont be able to take a shower during that time. I really want this to be over, so close.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Day 23
Got kind of antsy today. I think the thought of it almost being over is getting to me. I watched more Mighty Boosh to try and keep my mind off of it. I also watched the pilot of X Files and was reminded how good that show was.
So Jemail's wife brought him some more weed today and Jemail smoked again in the bathroom. I didn't know this so I went to go take a shower and was surprised by the strong smell of weed. When I walk in I just stand there and Jemail looks at me, I tell him it smells strong. He starts freaking out and spraying cologne all over the bathroom. I just went into the stall to see a chair where he had been standing to be near the vent. Once I get in the stall I hear someone else walk in and I can hear him start talking to Jemail. I could tell that it was the German and I heard him ask, "is that the cologne." Jemail just paused and was like, yeah and starts telling him about it. Then the German was like oh it smells good, smells a little like weed but its good. I almost couldn't contain my laughter, but Jemail didn't skip a beat, he was just like yea it does doesn't it. Which made me want to laugh even more. Needless to say he failed in covering the smell so by the time I got out of the stall I could still smell it. Just as I was about to leave the cleaning lady walks in. She just stands there at the door waiting for me to leave and gave me a weird smile as I walked past her.
The rest of the day I was expecting them to come and have me pee in a cup, but they didn't, I guess the cleaning lady didn't care because there is no way she didn't smell it. That was the highlight of my day, nothing else worth mentioning.
So Jemail's wife brought him some more weed today and Jemail smoked again in the bathroom. I didn't know this so I went to go take a shower and was surprised by the strong smell of weed. When I walk in I just stand there and Jemail looks at me, I tell him it smells strong. He starts freaking out and spraying cologne all over the bathroom. I just went into the stall to see a chair where he had been standing to be near the vent. Once I get in the stall I hear someone else walk in and I can hear him start talking to Jemail. I could tell that it was the German and I heard him ask, "is that the cologne." Jemail just paused and was like, yeah and starts telling him about it. Then the German was like oh it smells good, smells a little like weed but its good. I almost couldn't contain my laughter, but Jemail didn't skip a beat, he was just like yea it does doesn't it. Which made me want to laugh even more. Needless to say he failed in covering the smell so by the time I got out of the stall I could still smell it. Just as I was about to leave the cleaning lady walks in. She just stands there at the door waiting for me to leave and gave me a weird smile as I walked past her.
The rest of the day I was expecting them to come and have me pee in a cup, but they didn't, I guess the cleaning lady didn't care because there is no way she didn't smell it. That was the highlight of my day, nothing else worth mentioning.
Friday, April 22, 2011
Day 22
I am so thankful that this trial is almost over. Ever since Michael left Jemail has been in the room much more than before and I can't take it. Its to the point where I have to be listening to music constantly so I can at least pretend I'm alone. Being alone is one thing I have had very little of for the last month and its almost the complete opposite of my normal life. I am very much looking forward to the quiet of my empty house.
As for what happened today there was some interesting thing. My roommate Jesus who is in the bunk below me is leaving tomorrow because the drug is interfearing with his health. I don't know exactly what it is but I do know its related to his ECG, so I can guess his heart isn't beating the way it was when he got here. There is also a girl leaving under the direction of the doctors but I don't know why.
Brett came to visit today and it was great, we talked for a while. We talked a little about that hilarious video he made with the doll and the knife. If you haven't seen it then you need to.
In the afternoon the staff set up a few games of bingo where the prizes were target gift cards for 20 dollars. I didn't win anything, but it was still fun.
The lead over the study who's name is Bhati talked to me today about being in an upcoming study for healthy volunteers that are Caucasian or Japanese. I know the drug is somehow related to Hepatitis C, but I don't know much more yet. It would be 25 days which is close to this studies 28 days and I think it would go from June 28th to July 22nd. I haven't said yes yet because even though it is for 7,700 dollars, I don't know what it might do to me and even though I would get out on the 22nd that's the first day of comic con. Also I would miss a month of summer. When I heard about the study I knew they would want me in it since I'm always on time for my procedures and I'm white so there is that. If I did do that I trial I don't think I would do a daily blog. I think I would change it to every 4 days or something, but for this one I'll continue with the daily post.
As for what happened today there was some interesting thing. My roommate Jesus who is in the bunk below me is leaving tomorrow because the drug is interfearing with his health. I don't know exactly what it is but I do know its related to his ECG, so I can guess his heart isn't beating the way it was when he got here. There is also a girl leaving under the direction of the doctors but I don't know why.
Brett came to visit today and it was great, we talked for a while. We talked a little about that hilarious video he made with the doll and the knife. If you haven't seen it then you need to.
In the afternoon the staff set up a few games of bingo where the prizes were target gift cards for 20 dollars. I didn't win anything, but it was still fun.
The lead over the study who's name is Bhati talked to me today about being in an upcoming study for healthy volunteers that are Caucasian or Japanese. I know the drug is somehow related to Hepatitis C, but I don't know much more yet. It would be 25 days which is close to this studies 28 days and I think it would go from June 28th to July 22nd. I haven't said yes yet because even though it is for 7,700 dollars, I don't know what it might do to me and even though I would get out on the 22nd that's the first day of comic con. Also I would miss a month of summer. When I heard about the study I knew they would want me in it since I'm always on time for my procedures and I'm white so there is that. If I did do that I trial I don't think I would do a daily blog. I think I would change it to every 4 days or something, but for this one I'll continue with the daily post.
Day 21
Dosage increased today to its highest amount of 9 pills. Also I forgot to mention that we got our clothes back yesterday from the cleaners. Jemail told me he had hid his pipe in one of his socks and forgot to take it out before he sent it to the cleaners. As expected his socks returned with no pipe. They also seem to have not reported finding it. Luckily for Jemail, I'm guessing someone saw an opportunity to make a little cash and pocketed it.
Ryan and Austin visited today which was really cool. Once again it was really refreshing to talk to someone from my normal life. Also Brett says he's coming tomorrow and he better be smuggling me a bear. Actually no, but I am looking forward to the visit.
I got a call today from the producer for the show that Justin got me onto. He seemed really cool and told me some very exciting stuff about who is going to be working on the production. So I am officially considered in the crew for being a Grip/Assistant Camera. It is a copy, credit, meal situation so I wont be getting paid, but I will get IMDB credit. I think there is a possibility of more episodes being ordered but I don't think I am guarantied to be on the crew for that. Regardless of what happens I am excited about it.
Ryan and Austin visited today which was really cool. Once again it was really refreshing to talk to someone from my normal life. Also Brett says he's coming tomorrow and he better be smuggling me a bear. Actually no, but I am looking forward to the visit.
I got a call today from the producer for the show that Justin got me onto. He seemed really cool and told me some very exciting stuff about who is going to be working on the production. So I am officially considered in the crew for being a Grip/Assistant Camera. It is a copy, credit, meal situation so I wont be getting paid, but I will get IMDB credit. I think there is a possibility of more episodes being ordered but I don't think I am guarantied to be on the crew for that. Regardless of what happens I am excited about it.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Day 20
I slept a lot today. Probably because I hadn't slept very much the last few days. It was very different not having Michael here today. He had a tendency to spice up the day, but I'm sure the staff didn't miss him. Through Michael's leaving I had realized that I might miss these people. I've was thinking about this a lot today and it was hard for me to understand exactly why I would miss this place. Although now I'm not convinced that this will be the case. Originally I was thinking that I might miss this place because it has become some much of what I'm used to day to day. I think the only reason I thought that is because I can't accuratly imagine what I feel when I am doing the things of my normal life, which I think was a way for me to get used to this place. For example, In stead of longing everyday for how it feels when I ride my bike, my mind chooses to forget it and learn to like what is here. That is actually very amazing considering there isn't much to like here. That's why I think when I am out of here and doing the things that I love, being with the people I like, I wont miss this place at all. Speaking of people I like I am looking forward to seeing Ryan and Austin who are visiting tomorrow.
Today was fairly calm in comparison to yesterday and because of the craziness of yesterday we were given a treat today that consisted of sherbert. They also started taking request for DVDs and both of these were kind of a thank you by the people here for putting up with yesterday. Oh just remembered I weighed myself today and I have lost only 5 pounds and will probably only loose one more by the time I leave.
Today was fairly calm in comparison to yesterday and because of the craziness of yesterday we were given a treat today that consisted of sherbert. They also started taking request for DVDs and both of these were kind of a thank you by the people here for putting up with yesterday. Oh just remembered I weighed myself today and I have lost only 5 pounds and will probably only loose one more by the time I leave.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Day 19
Today was crazy. I considered leaving at one point. The day started off with one of the head managers saying that they were going to spray the room and take our clothes again. Although she did say that we could keep the clothes on our back. At this point I was frustrated with having to take all of my stuff out of the room, but I was ok because I didn't have to wear the robes again. So I went and had breakfast which was pretty good because we actually had syrup with our french toast this time. Afterwards I started seeing some staff going around and telling everyone to put all of their clothes in bags, including the clothes they were wearing. Michael and Jemail confront the staff and ask them about the descrepency. Unfortunatly Michael and Jemail had been frustrating some of the staff throughout the study, especially Michael who had upset quite a few of the staff. Therefor this apparent defiance from the perspective of the staff pushed them to reply harshly to Michael and Jemail, who both felt very dissrespected. This was the final straw for Michael and Jemail who said they were leaving immediatly.
I was really hesitant about getting back in the robes but ultimatly my refusal to get in the robe was a bluff. I was confident that the manager Karen's word was final and she said we didn't have to. Before Karen came back I just cleared out my room and avoided the staff by taking a shower. When I got out she still wasn't back so I just sat in a chair and played on my phone. It was obvious to others that this would be the time for me to change into the robes, so they came up to me and asked if I was leaving. I said it depends on if I have to wear the robe or not. As I was hoping my refusal along with my entire rooms, excluding those already leaving, encouraged others to do so as well. This resistance formed not by a meeting but through word of mouth and by example. By the time Karen came back it was clear she had only one option and that was to let us keep the clothes we were wearing. I don't know how many other people were bluffing but ultimatly it doesn't matter.
As this was going on Michael and Jemail were in the process of leaving. The top people were also talking to them and trying to keep them here. Part of what encouraged Jemail to leave was that his wife was arriving for a visit just as this was going down and so his ride was already here. Little did Jemail know that his wife was going to be the one who convinces him to stay. I guess she told him that he's staying and that she wouldn't be giving him a ride home. In the end Jemail is still here, but I can not say the same for Michael who is already in KC eating a big dinner and its currently 9:30pm. This I know from Jemail who was texted by Michael a moment ago. Besides Michael not having someone like Jemail's wife keeping him here he was talked down to much worse than Jemail. In fact at one point one of the staff charged at Michael while yelling, "well you can just pack your stuff and get the f%$k out of here." She was actually restrained by her fellow coworkers. I know she said that since I heard it, but I didn't see what she was doing. This very unprofessional outburst was in response to some awful words about the quality of this place said by Michael to his friend on the phone.
I want to point out that i don't agree with Michael. In fact I have been considering for a while writing a post here on the topic of how clean this place is. They have people come and clean the entire place everyday. On top of that I personally have not seen one insect the entire time I have been here. Considering how many people are here and how much food is eaten here, I find the lack of a single cockroach or ant to be very impressive.
Anyway back to today. After all of this chaos and confusion. They called a meeting to address what was going to happen. Which was that everyone was going to have to spend the day on their cot until the rooms air out from the gas. By the way they used a profesional exterminator and not a do it yourself bug bomb like before, which is what they should have done from the beginning. So I set up my XBOX and TV on a chair at the foot of my cot. I spent the day playing Reach and surfing the web. Thankfully though I am currently back in my room and enjoying some Sufjan. He's helped keep me sane these past few weeks when I don't want to hear Jemail's endless arguments with his wife. Also if you haven't been keeping track I only have one more week from today. So until that glorious day I'll keep posting.
I was really hesitant about getting back in the robes but ultimatly my refusal to get in the robe was a bluff. I was confident that the manager Karen's word was final and she said we didn't have to. Before Karen came back I just cleared out my room and avoided the staff by taking a shower. When I got out she still wasn't back so I just sat in a chair and played on my phone. It was obvious to others that this would be the time for me to change into the robes, so they came up to me and asked if I was leaving. I said it depends on if I have to wear the robe or not. As I was hoping my refusal along with my entire rooms, excluding those already leaving, encouraged others to do so as well. This resistance formed not by a meeting but through word of mouth and by example. By the time Karen came back it was clear she had only one option and that was to let us keep the clothes we were wearing. I don't know how many other people were bluffing but ultimatly it doesn't matter.
As this was going on Michael and Jemail were in the process of leaving. The top people were also talking to them and trying to keep them here. Part of what encouraged Jemail to leave was that his wife was arriving for a visit just as this was going down and so his ride was already here. Little did Jemail know that his wife was going to be the one who convinces him to stay. I guess she told him that he's staying and that she wouldn't be giving him a ride home. In the end Jemail is still here, but I can not say the same for Michael who is already in KC eating a big dinner and its currently 9:30pm. This I know from Jemail who was texted by Michael a moment ago. Besides Michael not having someone like Jemail's wife keeping him here he was talked down to much worse than Jemail. In fact at one point one of the staff charged at Michael while yelling, "well you can just pack your stuff and get the f%$k out of here." She was actually restrained by her fellow coworkers. I know she said that since I heard it, but I didn't see what she was doing. This very unprofessional outburst was in response to some awful words about the quality of this place said by Michael to his friend on the phone.
I want to point out that i don't agree with Michael. In fact I have been considering for a while writing a post here on the topic of how clean this place is. They have people come and clean the entire place everyday. On top of that I personally have not seen one insect the entire time I have been here. Considering how many people are here and how much food is eaten here, I find the lack of a single cockroach or ant to be very impressive.
Anyway back to today. After all of this chaos and confusion. They called a meeting to address what was going to happen. Which was that everyone was going to have to spend the day on their cot until the rooms air out from the gas. By the way they used a profesional exterminator and not a do it yourself bug bomb like before, which is what they should have done from the beginning. So I set up my XBOX and TV on a chair at the foot of my cot. I spent the day playing Reach and surfing the web. Thankfully though I am currently back in my room and enjoying some Sufjan. He's helped keep me sane these past few weeks when I don't want to hear Jemail's endless arguments with his wife. Also if you haven't been keeping track I only have one more week from today. So until that glorious day I'll keep posting.
Monday, April 18, 2011
Day 18
Once again the day started off with some news about a bug incident during the night. This time nobody was bitten, instead it was spotted and killed before it had the chance to. Sometime last night Jemail was going to bed and accidentley dropped his blue tooth headset on the floor. When he went to pick it up he saw something crawling on the ground. He killed it with his shoe, but didn't obliterate it. He scraped it into a cup and showed it to the night supervisor. Jemail thought it was a tick, but the supervisor recognized it as a bed bug. So after all of the hassle we went through on day 13 they failed to fix the problem. They told us that they are going to put new mattresses in our room, which they really should have done from the beginning. An inspector came by in the afternoon and he said, "its not that bad." Although it seems like any amount of bed bugs is bad. I have some free time so I am writing this at about 4:30pm, so hopefully this doesn't change their decision about the new mattresses and I'll have a new one by the time I post this.
Besides that today was really cool because Alex came by to visit. It was really good to see someone and talk to someone who is normal compared to the people in here. I have almost nothing in common with the people in here which makes it hard to talk to them, so I can't stress enough how good it was to talk to someone I know face to face.
I forgot to mention that they increased the dose yesterday, but I feel the same and seems everything is fine. Although, as predicted my sitting heart rate rose from last time and is now averaging at above a hundred.
The word on the mattress situation is that we are not getting new ones and they are going to treat the room again, but they are not going to clean all of our clothes. This seems completely pointless but hey its almost over and I haven't been bit yet so whatever.
Besides that today was really cool because Alex came by to visit. It was really good to see someone and talk to someone who is normal compared to the people in here. I have almost nothing in common with the people in here which makes it hard to talk to them, so I can't stress enough how good it was to talk to someone I know face to face.
I forgot to mention that they increased the dose yesterday, but I feel the same and seems everything is fine. Although, as predicted my sitting heart rate rose from last time and is now averaging at above a hundred.
The word on the mattress situation is that we are not getting new ones and they are going to treat the room again, but they are not going to clean all of our clothes. This seems completely pointless but hey its almost over and I haven't been bit yet so whatever.
Day 17
Forgot to do one again for yesterday. Nothing happened. I watched The Battle of Algiers, which was cool, but nothing else remarkable. Check back tomorrow though because tonight's post is going to be interesting.
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Day 16
Today was really uneventful and boring. Besides talking to Alex who told me that he got Two Gallants tickets for us!
I had that omlett again that I had before and its turns out it wasn't my tongue, the omlett was in fact awful. I took two bites and that's all ate for breakfast. Lunch was awful too. We had this 3oz turkey patty that was actually ok but with no bun. Then the side was this disgusting coleslaw that I couldn't eat. We also got an apple and a small box of raisins which were both good. The thing is with how little I'm eating I feel like I should be a lot hungrier, but I can't handle eating re-heated meals over and over again, so my appetite is diminishing.
I also want to remind people that visiting time is between 2pm to 5pm Monday through Friday in case everyone forgot. No I understand that most people work during that time so its fine but it still sucks for me. Alex did say he is going to come by on Monday at 2 so I'm looking forward to that. That's all I have so goodnight.
I had that omlett again that I had before and its turns out it wasn't my tongue, the omlett was in fact awful. I took two bites and that's all ate for breakfast. Lunch was awful too. We had this 3oz turkey patty that was actually ok but with no bun. Then the side was this disgusting coleslaw that I couldn't eat. We also got an apple and a small box of raisins which were both good. The thing is with how little I'm eating I feel like I should be a lot hungrier, but I can't handle eating re-heated meals over and over again, so my appetite is diminishing.
I also want to remind people that visiting time is between 2pm to 5pm Monday through Friday in case everyone forgot. No I understand that most people work during that time so its fine but it still sucks for me. Alex did say he is going to come by on Monday at 2 so I'm looking forward to that. That's all I have so goodnight.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Day 15
Here's whats up reader(s), I've lost some weight. I don't know for sure how much weight I have lost, but I've gone down a notch in my belt. They will weigh me when I leave so I will know for sure then.
I forgot to mention that the dry cleaners ruined the bill of my MASH hat, so I am going to try and get compensated for that. I feel like they should since it wasn't my choice to have it cleaned. I talked to this one woman who I think is a manager and shes really nice so hopefully they'll work with me.
Yesterday they increased the dose, so I am currently taking six pills a day. Everyday they take my blood pressure and check my heart rate. I usually only look at my blood pressure and don't notice my heart rate, but that changed last week once I saw that it was unusually high. Ever since I started riding my bike I have been checking my heart rate and usually when I am sitting its just above 60 beats per minute. Although when I first noticed my heart rate last week, it was about 80bpm and it has been slightly increasing each day since. Its increased to the point where I currently have a sitting heart rate of just under 100bpm. If a volunteer has a sitting heart rate of over 105 its flagged and a doctor has to monitor them until it goes down. This has happened before to all of the people who have been feeling similar side effects as me. I'm guessing my baseline bpm is lower than everyone else and its just taken a higher dosage to get me close to 105bpm. I don't know what happens if your heart rate doesn't go down, but I'm guessing it involves going to the hospital. Which hasn't happened to anyone yet and I'm certain that I am not going to be the first. Also my ECG is still good so that's reassuring. I'm guessing since we haven't reached the max dosage yet that my bpm will be above 105 at least once during the study. Although I could be wrong since all of the side effects for me have peeked and then dropped as my body adjusted, so maybe this will too.
I forgot to mention that the dry cleaners ruined the bill of my MASH hat, so I am going to try and get compensated for that. I feel like they should since it wasn't my choice to have it cleaned. I talked to this one woman who I think is a manager and shes really nice so hopefully they'll work with me.
Yesterday they increased the dose, so I am currently taking six pills a day. Everyday they take my blood pressure and check my heart rate. I usually only look at my blood pressure and don't notice my heart rate, but that changed last week once I saw that it was unusually high. Ever since I started riding my bike I have been checking my heart rate and usually when I am sitting its just above 60 beats per minute. Although when I first noticed my heart rate last week, it was about 80bpm and it has been slightly increasing each day since. Its increased to the point where I currently have a sitting heart rate of just under 100bpm. If a volunteer has a sitting heart rate of over 105 its flagged and a doctor has to monitor them until it goes down. This has happened before to all of the people who have been feeling similar side effects as me. I'm guessing my baseline bpm is lower than everyone else and its just taken a higher dosage to get me close to 105bpm. I don't know what happens if your heart rate doesn't go down, but I'm guessing it involves going to the hospital. Which hasn't happened to anyone yet and I'm certain that I am not going to be the first. Also my ECG is still good so that's reassuring. I'm guessing since we haven't reached the max dosage yet that my bpm will be above 105 at least once during the study. Although I could be wrong since all of the side effects for me have peeked and then dropped as my body adjusted, so maybe this will too.
Friday, April 15, 2011
Day 14
So I forgot to do one yesterday, but nothing really happened. I got my dry cleaning back last night which was nice. I watched a lot of The Mighty Boosh which I am really enjoying and did a walk around the building. One thing that was cool about yesterday was that I found out that film festivals don't really cost that much to enter into, so I plan on doing that after I finish my next short. That's it for yesterday and I will post again tonight about today's.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Day 13
I was really tired again when I was woken up for breakfast today. So afterwards I went right back to sleep and slept until almost 1pm. I never sleep in that long unless I'm sick so that was weird, but that was just the beginning of the weirdness to come. Just a few minutes after I wake up, Grace comes in to tell us that our roommate Jesus has several bug bites and that they're going to have to spray the room. Therefore we were going to have to take all of our stuff out of the room. But that's not it, we also were going to have all our clothes taken to the cleaners. You might be thinking, well that's kind of cool. Except that included the clothes we were wearing. So they gave us two hospital robes to put on after we showered. We didn't even have the privacy of our room because it was being bug bombed. So we sat out in the main room watching movies and playing video games while everyone looked at us like we were freaks. I really don't care what these people think so it didn't bother me. But it really bothered Michael, so he decided he was leaving. He told the staff and the staff got the CEO to talk to him who was able to convince him to stay.
For the cleaners we had to separate clothes that could go in the washer and dryer from the clothes that couldn't. Then those that couldn't would be dry cleaned. All of my pants cant go in the dryer, so I had them sent to be dry cleaned. The problem is that even though we got the laundry that could go in the machines back tonight, the dry cleaning doesn't come back till tomorrow. I decided I was just going to walk around in my boxers, but Jemail gave me a pair of his sweatpants to borrow which was really cool.
Most of the time I spend my entire day in my room just switching between different activities. But I couldn't do that today so I was forced to interact with people outside of my room. This ended up being really good for me because I met some people who work in film. All of them are actors so there isn't that great of a chance for them to get me a job in a production, but it doesn't hurt to know more people in the industry. Also I have more people who I can have act in my own productions. I'm currently enjoying being back in my room, but after today I'll try to spend more time outside of it. It should go without saying that today was pretty freakin weird, but in the end also kind of cool.
For the cleaners we had to separate clothes that could go in the washer and dryer from the clothes that couldn't. Then those that couldn't would be dry cleaned. All of my pants cant go in the dryer, so I had them sent to be dry cleaned. The problem is that even though we got the laundry that could go in the machines back tonight, the dry cleaning doesn't come back till tomorrow. I decided I was just going to walk around in my boxers, but Jemail gave me a pair of his sweatpants to borrow which was really cool.
Most of the time I spend my entire day in my room just switching between different activities. But I couldn't do that today so I was forced to interact with people outside of my room. This ended up being really good for me because I met some people who work in film. All of them are actors so there isn't that great of a chance for them to get me a job in a production, but it doesn't hurt to know more people in the industry. Also I have more people who I can have act in my own productions. I'm currently enjoying being back in my room, but after today I'll try to spend more time outside of it. It should go without saying that today was pretty freakin weird, but in the end also kind of cool.
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Day 12
I'm going to try to do these earlier in the night in hopes of them being more legible. I didn't get very much sleep last night partially due to waking up for procedures, but moslty because I was wearing a ECG Holter and had a catheter in my arm. Thankfully both of those things were removed today and I was able to take a shower for the first time in two days. Speaking of which I want to note that my roommate is no longer known as the guy who stinks and hasn't been for a while. Apparently he was sick and that's why he wasn't showering, so that was just a bad first impression because he's actually pretty cool. Unfortunatly that's not the case for another guy in the study. There's a guy in another room who hasn't showered or changed since we got here. I'm fairly sure that he has been taken aside and told to shower by the staff, yet he still hasn't. To be fair it seems that he might not be entirely there mentally, so I just feel sorry for the other people in his room.
I currently hear some load voices out in the main room and it sounds like its about one black volunteer who is upset about being called the n word by Michael. Its been exactly two weeks since we have started so I might be seeing more of this. Although most people are getting along still so hopefully not.
I have to talk about this one doctor here who's name is Veronica. I know her from the allergy study and she recognized me too. She is one of the coolest staff here and that's saying a lot because I really like most of the staff. Anyway she is the most beautiful doctor I have ever seen. I mean she could have made a living just off her looks, but she's really smart and so cool that I don't think she would considered it. For a frame of reference she looks similar to Zoe Saldana in Star Trek but more beautiful in my opinion and taller I think with lighter skin. One of the greatest things about her is how comfortable and casual she is with the volunteers. Some of the assistants can be a little stuck up and look down at us, so its really cool when one of the staff that's higher up is the complete opposite. For example one time when I was going over my symptoms with her she goes off on this long story, which by the way pertained to the conversation, about her dads experience with constipation after taking meds for a back surgery. I thought she was cool before this, but while I was listening to her story about her dad not being able to take a crap and how much that frustrated him. I found myself wishing that she was closer to twenty five rather than her actual age which is closer to thirty five and if that were the case that I would be talking to her under different circumstances. I guess that's it for today and hope it was a good read.
I currently hear some load voices out in the main room and it sounds like its about one black volunteer who is upset about being called the n word by Michael. Its been exactly two weeks since we have started so I might be seeing more of this. Although most people are getting along still so hopefully not.
I have to talk about this one doctor here who's name is Veronica. I know her from the allergy study and she recognized me too. She is one of the coolest staff here and that's saying a lot because I really like most of the staff. Anyway she is the most beautiful doctor I have ever seen. I mean she could have made a living just off her looks, but she's really smart and so cool that I don't think she would considered it. For a frame of reference she looks similar to Zoe Saldana in Star Trek but more beautiful in my opinion and taller I think with lighter skin. One of the greatest things about her is how comfortable and casual she is with the volunteers. Some of the assistants can be a little stuck up and look down at us, so its really cool when one of the staff that's higher up is the complete opposite. For example one time when I was going over my symptoms with her she goes off on this long story, which by the way pertained to the conversation, about her dads experience with constipation after taking meds for a back surgery. I thought she was cool before this, but while I was listening to her story about her dad not being able to take a crap and how much that frustrated him. I found myself wishing that she was closer to twenty five rather than her actual age which is closer to thirty five and if that were the case that I would be talking to her under different circumstances. I guess that's it for today and hope it was a good read.
Day 11
Today was long and its still not over. We still have procedures a couple times tonight, not looking forward to that. Alright so while I've been here I haven't been sleeping that well so I have been really groggy and I just thought it was being away from my bed. Today it seems to have really caught up with me. Anyway I told the doctor and she said the drug can suppress REM with some people entirely. Which would explain why I haven't remembered my dreams when I usually do and it's because I'm not. If that's what is happening with me then I'm looking forward to what is called REM rebound when you get off the drug and you get crazy dreams.
So about Jamail, they had no clue and his tests were normal. Although they might find it in his blood further down the line which will be bad for the clinics credibility. While I'm talking about my roommates, I should mention that they are crazy. Not really its just as time goes by the culture gap between me and my roommates becomes more clear. For example they all believe in every conspiracy theory and I just sit their on my computer pretending like I don't hear them because I don't want to join in the conversation. Also the youngest one Michael refers to me and calls me the n word which is a first, he calls everyone that regardless of color. He's from Kansas City so maybe that's common there. I asked him today which was his favorite Gates or Bryant's and he just looks at me really surprised. He said they're both really good but he likes Gates more. I did want to have a local opinion on the BBQ but more than that I knew he would look at me different knowing that I've been to his home town. I think that's it, Jesus did tell some crazy stories about his childhood but I'll save that for later.
So about Jamail, they had no clue and his tests were normal. Although they might find it in his blood further down the line which will be bad for the clinics credibility. While I'm talking about my roommates, I should mention that they are crazy. Not really its just as time goes by the culture gap between me and my roommates becomes more clear. For example they all believe in every conspiracy theory and I just sit their on my computer pretending like I don't hear them because I don't want to join in the conversation. Also the youngest one Michael refers to me and calls me the n word which is a first, he calls everyone that regardless of color. He's from Kansas City so maybe that's common there. I asked him today which was his favorite Gates or Bryant's and he just looks at me really surprised. He said they're both really good but he likes Gates more. I did want to have a local opinion on the BBQ but more than that I knew he would look at me different knowing that I've been to his home town. I think that's it, Jesus did tell some crazy stories about his childhood but I'll save that for later.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Day 10
After days of network problems keeping Zach and I from owning at Reach, Zach was able fix the problem so we played for a while. Other than that I didn't do much else.
Although there was some interesting happenings. For instance Jamail wasn't kicked out for trying to steal the food and they weighed him to find that he had lost 6 pounds. I also feel like I lost some weight, but I still don't think they're going to increase the amount food. Anyway that's nothing compared to the fact that Jamail is currently high as kite. His wife came by to visit him and she smuggled in his "medical marijuana," he has a license but there's nothing wrong with him. He then when into the shower and smoked his pipe right next to the vent. This was a while ago so I think he got away with it for now. We have extensive tests tomorrow to see the effects of the drug and it will be interesting to see if his results are weird. Till next time
Although there was some interesting happenings. For instance Jamail wasn't kicked out for trying to steal the food and they weighed him to find that he had lost 6 pounds. I also feel like I lost some weight, but I still don't think they're going to increase the amount food. Anyway that's nothing compared to the fact that Jamail is currently high as kite. His wife came by to visit him and she smuggled in his "medical marijuana," he has a license but there's nothing wrong with him. He then when into the shower and smoked his pipe right next to the vent. This was a while ago so I think he got away with it for now. We have extensive tests tomorrow to see the effects of the drug and it will be interesting to see if his results are weird. Till next time
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Day 9
Today was extremly unremarkeble right up until the end.
At around 10:30, after my entire room had its snack, we were hanging out in the main procedure room, which is also where we eat. Usually there is a lot of staff in there but not at night. Here's a little background for what happens, Jamail is constantly hungry and is conviced that he's lost like 10 pounds. So when the one employee left to get someone for their snack Jamail runs over to the other side of the room where the food is kept. Now this room is big, its like maybe 30 yards from one side to the other. Also he tried this once before and I was looking out for him, so I called him off when she started coming back. Before she left the next time I walked away so that he knew I wasn't look out, because I didn't want to be apart of it. This was unfortunate for Jamail because the next time he wasn't so lucky. I don't know what his plan was once he got the food, but he ended up getting caught with a bag of pares as he made his way back across the room.
Afterwards I was talking to Art and he told me that the last group before us got caught stealing food, so they increased the food for us. The thing is they give the same amount of food to everyone which doesn't work. Most of the people including me don't eat their entire meal, so why increase it for a couple of people who are still hungry when the rest will go to waste. Anyway, a little while later when we all go back to our room to watch The Town, which none of them had seen, one chill employee slips us a bag of chips and we share it. For a little while it felt like we were friends just hanging out, eating and watching a movie, it was really cool.
Oh I should also mention that I don't think Jamail will be kicked out and we might get an increase in food based off what the night supervisor said. Well it has been an interesting night but I'll be signing off now so, "good night and good luck."
At around 10:30, after my entire room had its snack, we were hanging out in the main procedure room, which is also where we eat. Usually there is a lot of staff in there but not at night. Here's a little background for what happens, Jamail is constantly hungry and is conviced that he's lost like 10 pounds. So when the one employee left to get someone for their snack Jamail runs over to the other side of the room where the food is kept. Now this room is big, its like maybe 30 yards from one side to the other. Also he tried this once before and I was looking out for him, so I called him off when she started coming back. Before she left the next time I walked away so that he knew I wasn't look out, because I didn't want to be apart of it. This was unfortunate for Jamail because the next time he wasn't so lucky. I don't know what his plan was once he got the food, but he ended up getting caught with a bag of pares as he made his way back across the room.
Afterwards I was talking to Art and he told me that the last group before us got caught stealing food, so they increased the food for us. The thing is they give the same amount of food to everyone which doesn't work. Most of the people including me don't eat their entire meal, so why increase it for a couple of people who are still hungry when the rest will go to waste. Anyway, a little while later when we all go back to our room to watch The Town, which none of them had seen, one chill employee slips us a bag of chips and we share it. For a little while it felt like we were friends just hanging out, eating and watching a movie, it was really cool.
Oh I should also mention that I don't think Jamail will be kicked out and we might get an increase in food based off what the night supervisor said. Well it has been an interesting night but I'll be signing off now so, "good night and good luck."
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Day 8
They increased the dose today, but I feel the same.
My roommate named Jesus has been making a lot of money selling sports merchandise out of his suitcase. He used about half of his suitcase to bring jerseys to sell and he must have done this before because there is quite a market here. Word has gotten around that our room is where you go for jerseys, so we have staff and volunteers come in all the time to buy. Anyway I find it commical.
Jamail who I mentioned before, keeps talking about how he is going to leave the study because he's not feeling good and loosing weight. Although I think he might leave for other reasons. I keep on hearing him talk with his wife about how the kids aren't behaving and she can't handle it. Every time he gets off the phone he's all stressed which is making him feel worse, so I don't know how long he is going to last. That's whats going on with the people around me.
But as for me, I'm still cruising through the days feeling good. What made me feel even better is that good ol Anyong called me up today and asked me to crew in the next project he's in. Needless to say I'm really excited to be in another project. I should probably explain, his name isn't really Anyong its Justin, but he played the character Anyong in Arrested Development and people call him that.
Its Saturday tomorrow so with that I'll say have a nice weekend. Pour one out for me
My roommate named Jesus has been making a lot of money selling sports merchandise out of his suitcase. He used about half of his suitcase to bring jerseys to sell and he must have done this before because there is quite a market here. Word has gotten around that our room is where you go for jerseys, so we have staff and volunteers come in all the time to buy. Anyway I find it commical.
Jamail who I mentioned before, keeps talking about how he is going to leave the study because he's not feeling good and loosing weight. Although I think he might leave for other reasons. I keep on hearing him talk with his wife about how the kids aren't behaving and she can't handle it. Every time he gets off the phone he's all stressed which is making him feel worse, so I don't know how long he is going to last. That's whats going on with the people around me.
But as for me, I'm still cruising through the days feeling good. What made me feel even better is that good ol Anyong called me up today and asked me to crew in the next project he's in. Needless to say I'm really excited to be in another project. I should probably explain, his name isn't really Anyong its Justin, but he played the character Anyong in Arrested Development and people call him that.
Its Saturday tomorrow so with that I'll say have a nice weekend. Pour one out for me
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Day 7
Today was another uneventful day.
One thing that was kind of interesting was that everyone was called to a meeting where they addressed some concerns people had. Then they told us that we were doing a really good job following rules and being on time for procedures. They also dispelled the rumor that one guy left because his website was blocked and implied that the real reason was personal.
Today's activities consisted of doing laundry, walking around the building, writing, watching Restrepo and not much else.
P.S. Restrepo is a really good documentary about the Afghan war and I highly recommend it if your into that kind of movie.
One thing that was kind of interesting was that everyone was called to a meeting where they addressed some concerns people had. Then they told us that we were doing a really good job following rules and being on time for procedures. They also dispelled the rumor that one guy left because his website was blocked and implied that the real reason was personal.
Today's activities consisted of doing laundry, walking around the building, writing, watching Restrepo and not much else.
P.S. Restrepo is a really good documentary about the Afghan war and I highly recommend it if your into that kind of movie.
Day 6
Today was fairly uneventful, so this one might be short.
I saw a guy leave today because he felt like it was prison. I don't know if he has been to prison before so I'll trust the guys who have and say that its not. I also heard that another guy left because his website that he did his work on was blocked. They supposedly only block sites related to porn, but they also block Myspace so I don't know. I know that they accepted more people into the trial than they're supposed to anticipating this, so I guess this is normal.
I was able to get Final Draft 8 authorized so it wont go away in a few days and I got some writing done. Other than that I played some video games and did a walk around the building, but not much else.
Nothings changed as far side effects go so I guess that's it. I think unless something happens these next few posts will be like this.
I saw a guy leave today because he felt like it was prison. I don't know if he has been to prison before so I'll trust the guys who have and say that its not. I also heard that another guy left because his website that he did his work on was blocked. They supposedly only block sites related to porn, but they also block Myspace so I don't know. I know that they accepted more people into the trial than they're supposed to anticipating this, so I guess this is normal.
I was able to get Final Draft 8 authorized so it wont go away in a few days and I got some writing done. Other than that I played some video games and did a walk around the building, but not much else.
Nothings changed as far side effects go so I guess that's it. I think unless something happens these next few posts will be like this.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Day 5
As of tonight I have been here a week. So I have three more to go. This week went by fairly quick, but I don't think its going to continue that way, I think it will start to slow down.
I don't think I have gone over my schedule for the last two days and what will continue to be my schedule for the next week, so I will. Everyday I am woken up a little before 8am and start eating breakfast at exactly 8:05am. Everything happens exactly on schedule everyday. So we litteraly have to sit there with the food infront of us and watch the clock before we can eat.
Next thing on the schedule is dosing and its at 9:35am, followed by lunch at 1:40pm, then followed by dinner at 7:40pm and lastly there is a snack at 10:35pm. That is my schedule and the rest of the time is up to me to fill.
As I mentioned in the last post the dose was increased today. With that increase I have noticed a difference in the way I feel and the way I don't feel. I feel like the sensation of touch is diminished slightly, almost negligible. For example, I can usually brush my hand over the hairs on the back of my neck and get a slight tickle, but now nothing. Also I haven't used the toilet today and I have eaten plenty. Its hard to say exactly how its affecting my mood, but I'm thinking that I am in a generally better mood and more content than I would normally be considering my current situation. I may have a better understanding on whether or not I am on the drug when they do an ECG and see if there is an expected difference. I wonder how much these effects will increase in the next dose increase. I guess we'll find out.
I just watched this short film that Art, my old roommate acted in and it was awful. There were some stunts that were well done, but besides that it was really bad. He's cool so I don't know what to tell him tomorrow when he asks about it.
I don't think I have gone over my schedule for the last two days and what will continue to be my schedule for the next week, so I will. Everyday I am woken up a little before 8am and start eating breakfast at exactly 8:05am. Everything happens exactly on schedule everyday. So we litteraly have to sit there with the food infront of us and watch the clock before we can eat.
Next thing on the schedule is dosing and its at 9:35am, followed by lunch at 1:40pm, then followed by dinner at 7:40pm and lastly there is a snack at 10:35pm. That is my schedule and the rest of the time is up to me to fill.
As I mentioned in the last post the dose was increased today. With that increase I have noticed a difference in the way I feel and the way I don't feel. I feel like the sensation of touch is diminished slightly, almost negligible. For example, I can usually brush my hand over the hairs on the back of my neck and get a slight tickle, but now nothing. Also I haven't used the toilet today and I have eaten plenty. Its hard to say exactly how its affecting my mood, but I'm thinking that I am in a generally better mood and more content than I would normally be considering my current situation. I may have a better understanding on whether or not I am on the drug when they do an ECG and see if there is an expected difference. I wonder how much these effects will increase in the next dose increase. I guess we'll find out.
I just watched this short film that Art, my old roommate acted in and it was awful. There were some stunts that were well done, but besides that it was really bad. He's cool so I don't know what to tell him tomorrow when he asks about it.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Day 4
This is Mondays and its a day late.
Today I learned that a couple of guys have dropped out. I don't know for sure if its true but it kinda makes sense since our dosage increases tomorrow and one of the guys I know was already experiancing side effects like light tachycardia. I want to point out that if side effects ever become close to dangerous to a volunteers health than they are expelled from the study. So there is a chance, but I doubt it, that he was kicked out.
Today was fairly uneventful except that Josh and James came by to drop off a 36in flat screen for me, so that was cool. Although I didn't use it much because I had a paper to work on.
Something I noticed about today is that there has been some rising tension in my roommates concerning the staff. The staff aren't always the nicest and most accomodating people but I don't think its in range of getting upset about it. Although I am pretty easy going and or I could be on the antidepressant. Anyway they talked about some of the wrongs that happened to them and in every circumstance the staff were just trying to follow the rules. That's not saying the rules are the best, for example, visiting time only last 20min and they got after my roommate becuase he was going over even though nobody was scheduled after him. Although I wouldn't get mad at the staff, they didn't come up with the rules they're just trying to do their job.
I am a little nervous about tomorrow since dosing increases for the first time and I could start feeling side effects. Although there is a guy bigger than me who is already experiancing side effects but obviously weight isn't the only factor in determing when side effects present.
Also it was nice talking to a few people today via text, so feel free to text I have nothing but time on my hands.
Today I learned that a couple of guys have dropped out. I don't know for sure if its true but it kinda makes sense since our dosage increases tomorrow and one of the guys I know was already experiancing side effects like light tachycardia. I want to point out that if side effects ever become close to dangerous to a volunteers health than they are expelled from the study. So there is a chance, but I doubt it, that he was kicked out.
Today was fairly uneventful except that Josh and James came by to drop off a 36in flat screen for me, so that was cool. Although I didn't use it much because I had a paper to work on.
Something I noticed about today is that there has been some rising tension in my roommates concerning the staff. The staff aren't always the nicest and most accomodating people but I don't think its in range of getting upset about it. Although I am pretty easy going and or I could be on the antidepressant. Anyway they talked about some of the wrongs that happened to them and in every circumstance the staff were just trying to follow the rules. That's not saying the rules are the best, for example, visiting time only last 20min and they got after my roommate becuase he was going over even though nobody was scheduled after him. Although I wouldn't get mad at the staff, they didn't come up with the rules they're just trying to do their job.
I am a little nervous about tomorrow since dosing increases for the first time and I could start feeling side effects. Although there is a guy bigger than me who is already experiancing side effects but obviously weight isn't the only factor in determing when side effects present.
Also it was nice talking to a few people today via text, so feel free to text I have nothing but time on my hands.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Day 3
Yesterday I left off with the question of what will happen after my next doseing. The answer is nothing, nothing happened after I was dosed today, which means I'm staying in the study. Last night just before I fell asleep, after watching Limitless because my roommates put it on, I started feeling a fever. So like I said before a virus seems to make the most sense. If I wasn't in the study I would have known right away that it was Gastroentinitas because I have had it several times before, except for the vomiting which through me off, but still that's a common symptom for most people. By the way if your not familiar with Gastroentinitas its what people mistakenly call the flu or the stomach flu. Although the two are very different viruses and affect two different bodily systems. Anyway this isn't what I want to talk about today.
I want to talk about the people around me today. One thing that seems to be just expected by the people in here is that you have a criminal record. I think they can tell that I don't, but they still respect me becauase I respect them and we get along pretty well. Essentially if someone were going to play that song, one of these things is not like the other things, I would be the thing. I want to make clear that I am not reffering to race but reffering to background I guess. The kind of background that you can see in someone. But I want to get more specific. I over hear a lot my roommates telephone conversations because its a small room and their lives are such a mystery to me. I often hear them talking to there kids and they'll say that they are working, when their kids ask them where they are. I guess its easier than trying to explain what they are actually doing and even though I don't consider it work maybe they do.
There is this commradery and general thoughtfullness by most of the volunteers here that was a little surprising to me at first. Although it makes sense, since everyone I have talked to has done studies before. Therefore if you weren't easy going and incapable of getting along with strangers in tight quarters, then you wouldn't last very long in a study that goes for a month. Its possible I might be talking to soon and eat these words later. But it seems the length of the study has distilled the general population to a group of considerate and easy going people. Of course there are exceptions to that theory. For example, one of my roommates took a shower for the first time today since the beginning of the trial. He stank so bad that we actually complained to the study cordinator who then talked to him and got him to take a shower. Besides the stank he is also kind of a loner and sits by himself most of the time. He is the only roommate that I have yet to learn the name of, in fact I don't think anyone knows his name. He's just refferd to as the guy who stinks. There was one verbal altercation today between one of my roommates and another guy who is a former Hells Angel. If there was one guy who I wouldn't want to do that to here, that would be the guy, but my roommate is the youngest here and is a little immature. Hopefully this won't be the beginning to something worse further down the line.
There is also another study going on here that is made up of strictly Asian males. There is a group of twenty something Koreans who sit around a table all day with their laptops playing Starcraft and they get really into it.
I spent most of my time watching Dexter in my bunk because I wasn't feeling a 100% yet. I finished almost the entire second season, watched The Graduate so I could write a paper on it and just watched The Exorcism of Emily Rose because my roommates put it on. I read a lot about that story a while ago and knew as I was watching it how much of the film wasn't true. On top of the scarcity of fact in the film it was also just awful and with that I will end my post.
I want to talk about the people around me today. One thing that seems to be just expected by the people in here is that you have a criminal record. I think they can tell that I don't, but they still respect me becauase I respect them and we get along pretty well. Essentially if someone were going to play that song, one of these things is not like the other things, I would be the thing. I want to make clear that I am not reffering to race but reffering to background I guess. The kind of background that you can see in someone. But I want to get more specific. I over hear a lot my roommates telephone conversations because its a small room and their lives are such a mystery to me. I often hear them talking to there kids and they'll say that they are working, when their kids ask them where they are. I guess its easier than trying to explain what they are actually doing and even though I don't consider it work maybe they do.
There is this commradery and general thoughtfullness by most of the volunteers here that was a little surprising to me at first. Although it makes sense, since everyone I have talked to has done studies before. Therefore if you weren't easy going and incapable of getting along with strangers in tight quarters, then you wouldn't last very long in a study that goes for a month. Its possible I might be talking to soon and eat these words later. But it seems the length of the study has distilled the general population to a group of considerate and easy going people. Of course there are exceptions to that theory. For example, one of my roommates took a shower for the first time today since the beginning of the trial. He stank so bad that we actually complained to the study cordinator who then talked to him and got him to take a shower. Besides the stank he is also kind of a loner and sits by himself most of the time. He is the only roommate that I have yet to learn the name of, in fact I don't think anyone knows his name. He's just refferd to as the guy who stinks. There was one verbal altercation today between one of my roommates and another guy who is a former Hells Angel. If there was one guy who I wouldn't want to do that to here, that would be the guy, but my roommate is the youngest here and is a little immature. Hopefully this won't be the beginning to something worse further down the line.
There is also another study going on here that is made up of strictly Asian males. There is a group of twenty something Koreans who sit around a table all day with their laptops playing Starcraft and they get really into it.
I spent most of my time watching Dexter in my bunk because I wasn't feeling a 100% yet. I finished almost the entire second season, watched The Graduate so I could write a paper on it and just watched The Exorcism of Emily Rose because my roommates put it on. I read a lot about that story a while ago and knew as I was watching it how much of the film wasn't true. On top of the scarcity of fact in the film it was also just awful and with that I will end my post.
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Day 2
Alright, so today was one of the worst day's I have ever experianced, but it didn't start off that way. I woke up feeling good and looking forward to another mostly free day. I started noticing some stomach disscomfort while I was eating breakfast and the omlett didn't taste that well. I think the omlett was fine, I just think it was my tongue. Which by the way is a side effect of Moxifloxacin but more on that latter. The following is kinda gross so don't think don't think I didn't warn you . But soon after breakfast I took a dump for the first time since the day before. Because yesterday was so full of procedures that I just didn't feel like there was enough time. Anyway after the bowel movement I started feeling sick. What I mean by sick is stomach cramps and bouts of nausea. The nausea was followed by chills since I would start sweating during the nausea. Also, all day I was having very frequent bowel movements if you know what I mean. Both these continued throughout the day and would increase and subside significatnly in a somewhat regular pattern. But even then the parts that weren't as bad were pretty bad. I couldn't do anything but lay in my bunk hoping to fall asleep when it wasn't that bad.
During the day I learned that several people got sick last night and they weren't ejected from the study as was said during the orientation. That was comforting to hear considering my situation but I still focused as hard as I could during the nausea. At around 6pm came a the bout like no other, I tried my best but at certain point I knew what was going to happen. I yelled for a trash can because I knew that I wouldn't make it to one then a guy in my room got up and to bring back a trash can He was fast but not fast enough. I cupped my mouth and proceeded to empty my stomach. Luckly it got mostly on myself and my bed. It wasn't going to happen just once but he came back time with trash can for the next one and the next three. It was the defenition of projectile and I have never experainced anything like that. It was quite the commotion but I didn't care because I felt so much better afterwards. They changed my sheets, I took a shower and got some new clothes on. After that was the first time I was able to fall asleep. When I woke up I actually felt hungry and didn't feel any cramps for the first time that day. I forgot to mention that I hardly ate any of my lunch which I was greatful for later. Anyway I was able to eat some of my dinner and I still feel good almost 2 hours later.
Here are my therioes on what is happening. What I hope most is that I am in the placebo who got Moxifloxacin yesterday and it just took a little while to hit especially with my digestive traffic jam. That would mean tomorrow after my dose I wont feel a thing because it would be sugar .
It could also be a virus going around and not related to the study because the previous study of this drug had nobody vomit, but in this one so many people are. Therefore if it is that and the people who experainced it earlier are already over it then I should be completely better soon.
The worst possibilty and the one that will defenatly result in me being expelled is if I am having a bad reaction to the test drug. If it is that and I get dosed tomorrow but somehow don't throw up tomorrow. It doesn't matter because the dosage will increase and I will eventually do it again.
There are a few things that don't make sense if I am reacting to either one of the drugs. Number one is why didn't I react this way yesterday because that is when dosing started and the miligrams have not increased yet. Also why would throughing up at 6pm get ride of symptoms when I was dosed at 8am. At that point it seems the drug would be long gone out of my stomach escpecially since I had no digestinal traffic today. The only one that seems to make sense is the virus one because even after I threw up I still felt a little off and it wasn't until I slept for a few hours that I actually felt good.
All of this is just speculation and wont be know until tomorrow. Its been a while since I ate dinner and still feeling pretty good, not 100% but close. I am sure I will wake up feeling good tomorrow but I just hope that it doesn't repeat because even if I am not kicked out I don't know how I could handle that again.
11:22 and still feeling good and I'll finish my post.
During the day I learned that several people got sick last night and they weren't ejected from the study as was said during the orientation. That was comforting to hear considering my situation but I still focused as hard as I could during the nausea. At around 6pm came a the bout like no other, I tried my best but at certain point I knew what was going to happen. I yelled for a trash can because I knew that I wouldn't make it to one then a guy in my room got up and to bring back a trash can He was fast but not fast enough. I cupped my mouth and proceeded to empty my stomach. Luckly it got mostly on myself and my bed. It wasn't going to happen just once but he came back time with trash can for the next one and the next three. It was the defenition of projectile and I have never experainced anything like that. It was quite the commotion but I didn't care because I felt so much better afterwards. They changed my sheets, I took a shower and got some new clothes on. After that was the first time I was able to fall asleep. When I woke up I actually felt hungry and didn't feel any cramps for the first time that day. I forgot to mention that I hardly ate any of my lunch which I was greatful for later. Anyway I was able to eat some of my dinner and I still feel good almost 2 hours later.
Here are my therioes on what is happening. What I hope most is that I am in the placebo who got Moxifloxacin yesterday and it just took a little while to hit especially with my digestive traffic jam. That would mean tomorrow after my dose I wont feel a thing because it would be sugar .
It could also be a virus going around and not related to the study because the previous study of this drug had nobody vomit, but in this one so many people are. Therefore if it is that and the people who experainced it earlier are already over it then I should be completely better soon.
The worst possibilty and the one that will defenatly result in me being expelled is if I am having a bad reaction to the test drug. If it is that and I get dosed tomorrow but somehow don't throw up tomorrow. It doesn't matter because the dosage will increase and I will eventually do it again.
There are a few things that don't make sense if I am reacting to either one of the drugs. Number one is why didn't I react this way yesterday because that is when dosing started and the miligrams have not increased yet. Also why would throughing up at 6pm get ride of symptoms when I was dosed at 8am. At that point it seems the drug would be long gone out of my stomach escpecially since I had no digestinal traffic today. The only one that seems to make sense is the virus one because even after I threw up I still felt a little off and it wasn't until I slept for a few hours that I actually felt good.
All of this is just speculation and wont be know until tomorrow. Its been a while since I ate dinner and still feeling pretty good, not 100% but close. I am sure I will wake up feeling good tomorrow but I just hope that it doesn't repeat because even if I am not kicked out I don't know how I could handle that again.
11:22 and still feeling good and I'll finish my post.
Day 1
So I'll take off from where I stopped Yesterday before doing today. We had to do a stress test which was just walking on a treadmill until our heart rate reached 120 and stayed there for a minute. This was a little funny in that the doctor underestimated how much exertion it would take to get my heart to 120. But anyway afterwards everyone had to lie in their assigned beds and have their blood pressure taken every 10 minutes for two hours. Well I noticed that almost every time the research assistant did my vitals she would put a little sticky note next to what she wrote down. Over the course of two hours there ended up being several sticky notes on my chart. I didn't really think anything of it until I noticed that no other chart had them. I should also mention that just before the stress test we were given our first dosing. I also find out that the sticky notes are called flags and that a doctor has to come to check the cause of each one. Naturally at this point I'm a little nervous that possibly I am already showing side effects which can be high blood pressure. Not until after the two hours do I get to look at the chart and see for myself. Even then I had to go online to see what range blood pressure should fall into. It is then that I see that my blood pressure is falling somewhat significantly below average. Which I could only figure was caused by the exercise because I also found out that for the first dosing everyone had a placebo. No one knows why but that is what the drug company wanted so that's what they did, they even wanted us informed of it being a placebo. Also adding to my theory that it was the exercise is that every time since then my blood pressure has been low but in a normal healthy range.
That should finish yesterday. Today is the first day where people will actually be recieving the study drug and already it seems some are showing expected symptoms. One guy in my room that I mentioned before who's name is Jamail. I wasn't clear about his name before but what I meant was I don't know if that's how he's spells it but that's how it sounds. Anyway he was feeling really bad after dosing and so far he is the only one I know of experiancing side effects. The women are kept mostly seperate in the main room and I have not seen any doctors checking on them but they could be. What I don't understand is there should be more than one person in a group of 40 with the test drug. So why is he the only one experiancing anything. This is why I don't think I am out of the clear just yet, because he could just be more sensetive than most. Also he is a little scrawny so it could just be that it'll take a higher dosage for other people to experaince what he is experiencing. It's also a little unnerving that he said if it is from the drug and feels the same tomorrow he is going to drop out. So I really hope I am not getting the drug because I do not want to feel what he is feeling.
As I mentioned before today was full of procedures. I have had little free time and it was taken up by watching Dexter. I was also able talk to a couple more of the staff today who were, Ann and Yoko. Ann asked me what I was doing during my free time and I said watching Dexter. To which Yoko replied that she too loves Dexter, in fairly broken English. Which was pretty funny, but I was able to contain myself. After this small talk to fill in the time before the precise minute of taking the pills, I took the pills and they then searched me to make sure I took the pills. It's not really that thorough, it just consist of checking my hands and under my tongue. I don't really understand the search of my hands since both of them saw through the clear vial that the pill fell from the vial into my mouth. If I were some how sneaky enough to do a slight of hand right there, then surely I would be capable of at least putting in my pocket.
They also stuck a catheter in everyone's arm so they could take from us "our precious bodily fluids". No but really they just take blood every few hours or so. Even though I have another extraction in an hour and another at 5am I think today's post is done.
That should finish yesterday. Today is the first day where people will actually be recieving the study drug and already it seems some are showing expected symptoms. One guy in my room that I mentioned before who's name is Jamail. I wasn't clear about his name before but what I meant was I don't know if that's how he's spells it but that's how it sounds. Anyway he was feeling really bad after dosing and so far he is the only one I know of experiancing side effects. The women are kept mostly seperate in the main room and I have not seen any doctors checking on them but they could be. What I don't understand is there should be more than one person in a group of 40 with the test drug. So why is he the only one experiancing anything. This is why I don't think I am out of the clear just yet, because he could just be more sensetive than most. Also he is a little scrawny so it could just be that it'll take a higher dosage for other people to experaince what he is experiencing. It's also a little unnerving that he said if it is from the drug and feels the same tomorrow he is going to drop out. So I really hope I am not getting the drug because I do not want to feel what he is feeling.
As I mentioned before today was full of procedures. I have had little free time and it was taken up by watching Dexter. I was also able talk to a couple more of the staff today who were, Ann and Yoko. Ann asked me what I was doing during my free time and I said watching Dexter. To which Yoko replied that she too loves Dexter, in fairly broken English. Which was pretty funny, but I was able to contain myself. After this small talk to fill in the time before the precise minute of taking the pills, I took the pills and they then searched me to make sure I took the pills. It's not really that thorough, it just consist of checking my hands and under my tongue. I don't really understand the search of my hands since both of them saw through the clear vial that the pill fell from the vial into my mouth. If I were some how sneaky enough to do a slight of hand right there, then surely I would be capable of at least putting in my pocket.
They also stuck a catheter in everyone's arm so they could take from us "our precious bodily fluids". No but really they just take blood every few hours or so. Even though I have another extraction in an hour and another at 5am I think today's post is done.
Friday, April 1, 2011
Day -1
Starting today the blog will be up to date. The other post were just what I typed in my word processor. I didn't include this in the last post because it technically happened on Thursday, but I stayed up until three to finish an essay and email it to a class mate only to forget to put in the right format so she couldn't print it. Luckly I can turn it in late I just cant do a rewrite.
Today was fairly easy besides going to bed really late and being woken up at 5 in the morning to do another extraction, other than that procedures ended at around 1pm for me so I had a lot of free time. Part of which was taken up by being reasigned to a different room but I'll get to that later. During my free time I was able to shower, go for a walk around the building, get caught up on HIMYM, caught up on Mr. Sunshine, caught up on Fringe and watch a little Dexter.
As for the room reasignment, I think they did it just out of convieniance for them. Where I was before was in the back of the building so they moved me and everyone else back there to rooms closer to the front. Almost everyone from my original room is in my current room except for Art who was replaced by Jamail. At least that's how it sounds. Anyway at first I was frustrated by the move, but once I realized what the new place was like I stopped complaining. First of all one wall in my room is mostly window to the outside. Which is a big deal because there are only two rooms that have windows and the rest of the building has almost no windows. I really like having the window and having some sun light come into the room. We are also closer to the Wi-Fi broadcaster so the internet works much better which in short means I will be able to play some video games soon. I took a look at the schedule for tomorrow and its going to be the longest day so far. There are procedures going throughout the entire day.
There is some stuff I just remembered but I'll talk about it tomorrow since everyone in my room went to bed and suddenly I realize how loud my typing is.
Today was fairly easy besides going to bed really late and being woken up at 5 in the morning to do another extraction, other than that procedures ended at around 1pm for me so I had a lot of free time. Part of which was taken up by being reasigned to a different room but I'll get to that later. During my free time I was able to shower, go for a walk around the building, get caught up on HIMYM, caught up on Mr. Sunshine, caught up on Fringe and watch a little Dexter.
As for the room reasignment, I think they did it just out of convieniance for them. Where I was before was in the back of the building so they moved me and everyone else back there to rooms closer to the front. Almost everyone from my original room is in my current room except for Art who was replaced by Jamail. At least that's how it sounds. Anyway at first I was frustrated by the move, but once I realized what the new place was like I stopped complaining. First of all one wall in my room is mostly window to the outside. Which is a big deal because there are only two rooms that have windows and the rest of the building has almost no windows. I really like having the window and having some sun light come into the room. We are also closer to the Wi-Fi broadcaster so the internet works much better which in short means I will be able to play some video games soon. I took a look at the schedule for tomorrow and its going to be the longest day so far. There are procedures going throughout the entire day.
There is some stuff I just remembered but I'll talk about it tomorrow since everyone in my room went to bed and suddenly I realize how loud my typing is.
Day -2
second day
Today I got a better handle one what its going to be like here on a daily basis. One of the procedures is called extraction. Which so much cooler sounding than what it actually is. Extraction is just where the monitor that is attached to us uploads to some database periodically throughout the day. Basically we have to stay absolutly still for 5 minutes and that's it. Then the rest of time we just had to lay in a bed with nothing to do until the next extraction for almost the entire day. We had a couple breaks to go to the bathroom and what not but didn't have much time to do anything so this post is going to be brief. The reason we cant do anything is because we have these ECG monitors and the slightest thing can influence them so we just have to lay there. I took that time to go over some ideas for a couple scripts. I even started working out a shot list for one of the shorts I think I have figured out.
Well that's it for today.
Today I got a better handle one what its going to be like here on a daily basis. One of the procedures is called extraction. Which so much cooler sounding than what it actually is. Extraction is just where the monitor that is attached to us uploads to some database periodically throughout the day. Basically we have to stay absolutly still for 5 minutes and that's it. Then the rest of time we just had to lay in a bed with nothing to do until the next extraction for almost the entire day. We had a couple breaks to go to the bathroom and what not but didn't have much time to do anything so this post is going to be brief. The reason we cant do anything is because we have these ECG monitors and the slightest thing can influence them so we just have to lay there. I took that time to go over some ideas for a couple scripts. I even started working out a shot list for one of the shorts I think I have figured out.
Well that's it for today.
Day -3
first day which in the trial is called day -3
arrived at around 6pm
it is currently midnight
There are about 40 people in this study which is a lot compared to the study I was in before. I share a room with four other people. Our beds were assigned and I was assigned a top bunk. Its good in that it keeps my stuff away from people but its bad in that its kinda of annoying getting in and out of bed. Also just remembered I don't have to worry about someone tossing and turning above me. The guy below is about my age and his name is Art. He brought an XBOX 360 and monitor. He has done this at least once before but seems like more. He's cool and laid-back so I don't anticipate any problems with him nor anyone else in my room for that matter. The only other name I’ve learned is Michael. He is the youngest in my room and possibly in the study at least he looks like it. What I know of him is he's quite and likes to sleep. I don't know the two other guys names yet but I'm sure I will.
We had orientation today, which is where they laid out the general schedule for the study. We were also given the menu for the entire study and it looks fairly good. I recognize some of the staff from before and at least two of them have recognized me and one of them remembered my name or should I say initials. Which was cool because I actually remembered her name, which is Grace. She is really cool and she was the nurse who handled my procedures through most of the allergy study. A brief description of Grace is, she is a short Asian woman in her mid to late 30's. I know she is married but I don't think she has kids.
We were also given a snack which was the most like eating nothing I that I have ever experienced. I don't know how pastries could be so tasteless.
I feel confident that I will make it through the study. I'm a little worried about getting the actual drug and not the placebo because they talked about some unpleasant side effects which was mostly nausea.
Mostly what I have done so far is watch some HIMYM and some Mr. Sunshine both of which I needed to get caught up on.
I also found out that I am getting out the 25th of April which is a Tuesday. I thought I was getting out on the 29th so that was cool to learn. Alright I'm done going to sleep now.
arrived at around 6pm
it is currently midnight
There are about 40 people in this study which is a lot compared to the study I was in before. I share a room with four other people. Our beds were assigned and I was assigned a top bunk. Its good in that it keeps my stuff away from people but its bad in that its kinda of annoying getting in and out of bed. Also just remembered I don't have to worry about someone tossing and turning above me. The guy below is about my age and his name is Art. He brought an XBOX 360 and monitor. He has done this at least once before but seems like more. He's cool and laid-back so I don't anticipate any problems with him nor anyone else in my room for that matter. The only other name I’ve learned is Michael. He is the youngest in my room and possibly in the study at least he looks like it. What I know of him is he's quite and likes to sleep. I don't know the two other guys names yet but I'm sure I will.
We had orientation today, which is where they laid out the general schedule for the study. We were also given the menu for the entire study and it looks fairly good. I recognize some of the staff from before and at least two of them have recognized me and one of them remembered my name or should I say initials. Which was cool because I actually remembered her name, which is Grace. She is really cool and she was the nurse who handled my procedures through most of the allergy study. A brief description of Grace is, she is a short Asian woman in her mid to late 30's. I know she is married but I don't think she has kids.
We were also given a snack which was the most like eating nothing I that I have ever experienced. I don't know how pastries could be so tasteless.
I feel confident that I will make it through the study. I'm a little worried about getting the actual drug and not the placebo because they talked about some unpleasant side effects which was mostly nausea.
Mostly what I have done so far is watch some HIMYM and some Mr. Sunshine both of which I needed to get caught up on.
I also found out that I am getting out the 25th of April which is a Tuesday. I thought I was getting out on the 29th so that was cool to learn. Alright I'm done going to sleep now.
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