Thoughts on NIH Stay

[Guest guest]

Here are some of my random thoughts on what its been like staying at NIH this

past week:

The nursing staff is fantastic. They treat the patients as guests and really go

out of the way to make sure you are comfortable. For me, the most important

part has been their keeping me informed of what is going on each day, and what

to expect.

There is a lot of traffic through your room the first day. I met with three

Doctors, a social worker, the administrator for the study protocol, the BG

expert, dietician, phlebotomist, and multiple nurses.

They gave me a schedule before I arrived. I understood that this was tentative,

at the time and expected changes. Probably 30% of the test were changes or

canceled after I arrived. One was due to mix-up the rest were revision based on

other test results. The mix-up was with a bone density test. It was scheduled

on Wednesday. On Tuesday I had an MRA with a contrast agent, and you are not

supposed to have contrast for several days before the bone density scan.

They really like blood here. I have lost count, but I think they have taken at

least 30 vials of blood this week, including 17 at one time the first day. That

does not include the draws to check BG out of the tube in my arm or finger

sticks.

Four days of 24-hour urine collection can be tedious. When I go out for a walk

I've been a little afraid of getting too far from the room and then having to

" go " .

The first couple weeks of July are not the best time to come for a study. A new

group of fellows arrive the first of July. Like all new jobs it takes anyone a

little time to understand how the system works, and know what your boss expects.

So far my fellow has been double checking everything with Dr. Stratakis. I

understand, but sometimes it is frustrating waiting for responses.

My endocrinologist fellows name is Mikumi Endo. I thought the nurse was joking

when he told me the fellow assigned to me was " Dr. Endo " . She is still learning

the system at NIH, but has been very good so far.

Find an excuse to ask for a massage (my back was bothering me from working on

the computer while sitting on the bed). Its free, they come to your room, and

do a great job.

The " coffee " they serve with meals is horrible. I have a pretty serious coffee

addiction and would probably have died from withdrawal if it wasn't possible to

get Duncan Doughnuts coffee the in the B1 cafeteria.

Mike

Thumbnail:

Caucasian, male, 51 years old, 6'- 3 " tall, 285 lbs.

Adrenal adenoma both sides by CT scan

Diabetic Type II, OSA on cpap

Verapamil CR 360 mg

Hydralazine, 50 mg x3

Janumet 50/1000 (not taking at NIH)

Simcor 1000/40

Novolog 70/30

Dashing with occasional lapses