I woke up yesterday with a crusty eye. Crusty to the point where I had to pry my eyelids apart. Totally gross. When I picked my head up off the pillow, the cough started. It was deep and painful and made my head hurt. I put my feet on the floor and the carpeting hurt my toes. I stood up and everything ached. I was sick and had pink eye to boot.
Let’s not forget, I’m across the country from home trying to take care of a relative that is recovering from a stroke. So, now I’m sick, away from home, and worried I’m going to make this relative sick with all of my nasty germs. I’m also worried about the trial. I did an injection in the morning to stay on schedule, but would my injection be affected?
When I started the Nexvax trial, they said I cannot start taking any supplements or medication without approval. I told them I occasionally take acetaminophen and/or ibuprofen for occasional headaches and Claritin as needed for seasonal allergies. All of that was approved.
I was given a card to put in my wallet at the start of the trial too. It is an in case of emergency card. If I end up in the hospital, hopefully, someone will find the card and call the number before doing anything to me that would either screw up the study or could cause me harm. It also means I would be unmasked and we would know whether I was getting medicine or placebo. I guess if I end up in the hospital the last thing I should be worrying about is screwing up this study.
So, when I woke up yesterday with all of these symptoms, I texted Nurse Ratchet. I said I feel like hell, had pink eye, and am going to the doctor. When I got to Urgent Care, I then had to explain to them I was in a clinical trial and had to make sure I had approval to take what they gave me.
I’m not a big fan of getting permission for things. My attitude is usually that I will ask for forgiveness rather than permission, so this is a new thing for me. But I got permission and approval.
I got drops for my pink eye and an antibiotic for my upper respiratory infection. The doctor said to make sure to take a pro-biotic with the antibiotic. I have to ask about that today because I don’t need a C. Diff infection. (As a side note, if I get C. Diff, I could get a fecal transplant and fix my celiac??? Somebody somewhere is studying it.)
Bottom line is today, I’m on the mend. My eye is no longer crusty, but still pink. My cough is a great deal less and I don’t feel like sitting on the couch watching Bravo all day today.
Thank you to everyone that posted yesterday wishing me fast healing. It really helped and I appreciate it. Thank you.