4th Infusion

January 31 marked my fourth infusion of Myozyme. We’re getting better at going through the routines of going for the infusion. We checked in the hospital the night before. Prior to arriving we already knew which room we’ll be in. We also noticed that a good time to check in would be aroung 7:00 p.m. when the line for admitting is not so long.

I got up at around 6:20 a.m. My aides and I ordered breakfast. We’ve been having McDonalds for the last three visits already. Due to the simple fact that it was the delivery number we memorized. I ordered pancakes and a sausage for breakfast with butter, strawberry preserve and some syrup. A glass of orange juice or orange drink I should say rounded up my breakfast.

The actual infusion started at around 10 a.m. It wasn’t as smooth as the previous one only because it took three tries to get the I.V. line in. Aaarrgghhh… I hate having small veins.

On the flipside, the infusion went without a hitch. We were able to go up to the maximum rate that was allowed by the protocol. We were finished by 2 p.m. 4 hours.. not bad…

The doctor said that if at 5 p.m. I don’t experience anything bad I could go home.

During the course of an infusion I’m not allowed to eat. So I was hungry by the time we finished. Lunch was good. I had Pancit Palabok and some pork barbeque. For those who are unfamiliar, Pancit Palabok is a native noodle dish. Don’t ask me what the ingredients are I don’t know all that’s included. All I really care about is that it tastes good…. and it does…

I finished eating around 2:30. To kill time I listened to the latest audiobook I downloaded. Tom Clancy’s “Executive Order”. This is my first Tom Clancy book and prior to this my only encounter with Tom Clancy is with the movie adaptations of “Hunt For Red October”, “Patriot Games”, “Sum of All Fears” and “Clear and Present Danger”. This is the first book of his I’m actually reading. Suffice to say I liked it. I usually don’t finish a book quickly but by the next day I had.

A funny conversation took place during the time I was waiting in the hospital. Around 3 p.m. two residents walk in to monitor my vital signs.

Now before I continue with my story, just a brief background. The doctors treating me are mostly in Pediatrics… Why? because most the doctors who treat metabollic patients see children. Hence most of them have background in Pediatrics.

Back to my story… So two pediatric residents walk in to take my vital signs. While taking my vital signs some small talk were exchanged… I’ll just include the funny part and dispense with the rest…..

bq. *Me:* So I must be the oldest patient you have.
*Resident:* No, we have a 19 year old patient.
*Me:* I’m 28….

Hahahahah! I’ll take that as a compliment, thank you… Apparently I don’t look as old as I am… Or that they just didn’t read the chart thoroughly enough… Either way, that made my day.. somewhat.

At 5 p.m we were set to go home but one of the doctors stopped by to say hello. Stories were exchanged and she shared her very nice love story…. I’m happy for her.

By 6:20 p.m we happily left PGH to go home… See you in two weeks PGH.