Morning Rounds and Evening Musings

In college, some friends and I made semi-frequent trips to give plasma in exchange for cash. That lasted until I nearly passed out after seeing a big blob of my own blood in a bubble on my arm after the nurse took out the needle. Eck!

Last year, I participated in a study to test a new HIV vaccine/contraceptive for women (imagine if women in Africa had means to protect themselves against cheating husbands and the stds and diseases they so often bring home with them!) . The procedures involved were quite unpleasant--I won't illuminate the details, but let's just say routine gynecological visits now qualify as 'no big deal.'

Today, I enrolled in a study testing a new vaccine against the Vietnamese strain of Avian flu. I was thrilled when the doctor announced that I was in group 9--the most complicated study group therefore requiring the most number of visits. Between now and Thanksgiving, I'll make 9 visits to the Hope Clinic. At $50 a pop, that's $450!!

For a blood draw, a needle stick, some vital signs, and some of my time, I'd say the price is right. An extra bonus was that I found out I'm not pregnant, and my blood pressure and pulse have gone significantly down since my last physical in January 08. Guess those trips to the gym are paying off!