Graybeard
Distinguished member
- Joined
- Sep 24, 2014
- Messages
- 440
- Reason
- PALS
- Diagnosis
- 12/2013
- Country
- US
- State
- Ca
- City
- Surf City
My initial visit to Beverly Hills Cedar-Sinai hospital to be screened for the DPS clinical trial was today. Wifey had already left for her new ceramics class at zero dark thirty, so I was on my own.
Greybeard the Pirate Parrot picked this morning to take vengeance on me. He's bonded to wifey, and I am his rival. First thing I know, he is biting at my heel while I'm trimming my beard. I step over him, and the chase begins. Good thing his flight feathers are trimmed...
His pursuit was relentless, while I'm trying to use the cough assist, get dressed, etc. Finally, I lured him into the spare bathroom where they sleep, and I got the door shut on him, and then threw Chewbaca in with him. Maybe no food or water all day will cool him...
Younger son and I allotted an hour and a half to go the 40 miles to Bev Hills, or wherever that is. Freeways were constricted, so it took the full hour and a half +.
Once there, we were visited by one person after another, including repeating the breathing test with a newer machine. I had been agonizing whether to join this trial since June, when my lungs were stronger. My numbers now put me right in their criteria for 45-50% FVC.
The EMG doc and his sub were MIA today, so we'll have to go back for testing of the frenetic nerves next week. I jokingly asked, "Who does this test, a phrenologist?" Nobody in the room had heard of phrenology, so I was the teacher.
If my phrenology is ok, they will put my name in the pool. I have 2/3 chance to get the DPS, and not the control group.
They claim an average extra 30 months lifespan with the DPS. Sure looks better than a vent.
Meanwhile, as I typed this, Greybeard came out of the bathroom much subdued, and is now eating. Having a Congo African Grey parrot is like having a two year old child - for a lifetime.
Greybeard the Pirate Parrot picked this morning to take vengeance on me. He's bonded to wifey, and I am his rival. First thing I know, he is biting at my heel while I'm trimming my beard. I step over him, and the chase begins. Good thing his flight feathers are trimmed...
His pursuit was relentless, while I'm trying to use the cough assist, get dressed, etc. Finally, I lured him into the spare bathroom where they sleep, and I got the door shut on him, and then threw Chewbaca in with him. Maybe no food or water all day will cool him...
Younger son and I allotted an hour and a half to go the 40 miles to Bev Hills, or wherever that is. Freeways were constricted, so it took the full hour and a half +.
Once there, we were visited by one person after another, including repeating the breathing test with a newer machine. I had been agonizing whether to join this trial since June, when my lungs were stronger. My numbers now put me right in their criteria for 45-50% FVC.
The EMG doc and his sub were MIA today, so we'll have to go back for testing of the frenetic nerves next week. I jokingly asked, "Who does this test, a phrenologist?" Nobody in the room had heard of phrenology, so I was the teacher.
If my phrenology is ok, they will put my name in the pool. I have 2/3 chance to get the DPS, and not the control group.
They claim an average extra 30 months lifespan with the DPS. Sure looks better than a vent.
Meanwhile, as I typed this, Greybeard came out of the bathroom much subdued, and is now eating. Having a Congo African Grey parrot is like having a two year old child - for a lifetime.