The wait...

Finally, I have my next appointment scheduled. It has been a little over a month since my last visit. I didn't shave for most of that time, I was brave through the insecurity! Go me! However, last week I did shave because I was going to be in a large group of people and I was feeling very insecure. Since then I have let my facial hair grow. I have noticed a few stares here and there from people I am not normally around, but for the most part I haven't noticed any reactions, and I think that has helped me stay brave.

My appointment is scheduled for Monday at 8:30 am. It is going to be a very long appointment, I was told 4+ hours. I have to fast for 8 hours prior and the appointment will consist of a 4 hour blood draw. When I received the email I was thinking to myself "WTH!!". Also, I had no clue what a 4 hour blood draw was, so I emailed the clinical trial coordinator to get more information. I asked some coworkers while I waited for a response but they seemed to be just as confused as I was. Well, for anyone interested, a 4 hour blood draw consists of them putting an IV in and then taking the intial blood draw from fasting and they continue to take blood every 30 min for the entire 4 hours. I am allowed to bring snacks and drinks to consume during the process, so that is a plus. I will be bringing my head phones as well so I don't die of boredom.

I also learned that this is a test I will be doing 4 times throughout the trial. The first one next week, then another in a week after that, and 2 more spaced through the next year. I am sure one of those will be at the end to see if the drug improved my hormone levels. We can only hope I guess, but I find myself wondering what happens after? If it does work and my hormones become balanced, I have to then wait for it to be approved as a drug before I have the option of taking in on a regular basis and that kind of sucks. After my appointment next week I will share how it went and what to expect after I am officially accepted into the trial.