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In a stew

I’ve spent the greater part of today in bed. This cold doesn’t seem to be improving. My head hurts. My throat feels like I’ve swallowed sand paper. My throat feels swollen. And the cough has now progressed from a minor little dry hack, hack, to something resembling a dog’s barking. This is the most worrying for me.

I think it’s just another sinus infection. But, I’m supposed to be at NIH in a little over two weeks, and anything respiratory going on could affect my test results. It’s not just a matter of whether my test results are a bit low – but if I’m on the Pirfenidone and not the placebo, a low result could make a ding in the overall data.

If, after 40 people are admitted to the study and they’ve all been followed for 18 months, there’s an improvement in the Pirfendone group over the placebo group, then everyone goes on the drug for the duration of the trial. Thus, I feel like it isn’t just about my health. It’s about the bigger picture.

Still, I’m sitting here contemplating going to the doctor tomorrow. I really don’t have any days left. The remaining days I need for the NIH trip. It’s probably just a cold and there’s probably not too much that anyone can do about it.

Yet, this “virus” seems to be an on again, off again thing since before Thanksgiving. It’s definitely affecting my coughing and breathing now – so unless I feel magically healed in the morning I guess I should go in. I just feel like such a whining baby….waaahh….doc…..I’ve got a cold…..waaaahhh…
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Comments

Anonymous said…
Hi Heather:

I've been wanting to call you, but since you're not feeling well, did not want to bother you. I hope you don't think me out of line, but sometimmes we need someone to push us to see the doctor. I do the same thing, let it go on and on thinking that it will resolve itself soon, meanwhile weeks go by before it all blows over. This knowing that us, having HPS, should not ignore certain things. God forbid you should have pneumonia or bronchitis? Please do go see the doctor tomorrow?

Have a good night and feel better.

Love,
>Ana<
8:37 PM
Heather Kirkwood said…
You're absolutely right Ana - if any other HPS'er called me hacking into the phone, I'd insist they go to the doc. I've just had this thing drilled into me since childhood to just buck it up. I know, I should go.
10:16 PM
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