Tuesday, February 27, 2007

The infusion

I just got back from the hospital, where I received an intravenous infusion of Zometa. The process took about 20 minutes and went smoothly, despite my extreme aversion to needles. You would think I was Moby Dick about to be harpooned.

But it's over. My doctor said the drug would begin to lower my serum calcium almost immediately, though results that I can feel -- improved appetite, less nausea, less lethargy -- could take two to three days to occur.

Side effects are rare, she said. The most common is a feeling of coming down with the flu, though she has never seen this in any of her patients. The big question, though, is whether it will work on me. My doctor seems certain that it will help, and that's the hope I cling to.

Now, it's time for a nap before I head off to work.

4 comments:

east village idiot said...

Lets keep our fingers crossed. Try to avoid anything with calcium in it - just to avoid giving your body any ideas. Instead of a chocolate shake - have a hot dog at Katz's.

I really pray this treatment works for you and I'm sorry you had to go "under the needle". Have a good nap.

Michael said...

Thanks for your prayers, EVI. It's now just before midnight Tuesday, and I feel a slight improvement in my overall well-being. Is it the medication, a placebo effect or a combination of the two? Don't know. But I'll gladly take the respite.

Don said...

Good luck, and good health.

Michael said...

Thank you.