So, my 2nd infusion for ABT-874 (1 of 3 different doses or the possible placebo) was today.  I have to have a short physical by a study doctor.  My doctor is part of the study, so he typically dose this, but he's out of the country this week.  (P.S. What's up with that? I must have a thing with docs going out of the country during times of need - The girls were born when my doc was out of country, I was dx with Crohn's when my surgeon was out of country.  Go figure, eh?)  So, one of the other study docs did my physical.  Super nice guy and he's how the convo went:

C = Caroline, my case researcher/nurse that takes my vitals and weight and reviews my charts and all before we get the infusion.
D = Dr. Corba (I think that was his name), the GI who examined me today.
M = Me (Yeah, taht was a hard one, eh?)

D to C: How are we doing?
C to D: No improvement
C to D: Do you want to do an exam?
D to C: Does she have perianal disease?
C to D: Yes
M to D & C:  Yes, Perianal disease with it found sporadically through my large intestines. They've yet to find it in my small intestines.  I have fistualas, abscesses, fissures, and a skin tag, but the only think currently bothering me is a skin tag.
C to D: Do you want to do an exam?
D to C: Sure, if you need one.
C to D: No, we don't
(Insert my SIGH of relief!)
D to C: Ok, let's let Dr. Stone do it in 2 weeks at her next follow-up
(Insert BIGGER sigh of relief)
(Doctor starts exam - just thyroid, swelling, heart, lungs, etc.)
D to M: How old are you?
M to D: 26
D to M: How long have you been diagnosed?
Me to D: 3 years
D to M: It's not fair, is it?
(Realizing that, yeah, it's not, but I respond): There could be worse things...

Lots of other random conversation and after he pushed on my belly enough to make it feel uncomfortable, he shook my hand and said as he walked out the door... "I hope you are getting the placebo."

Took me a minute to get it.  But, I hope I'm getting the LOW dose of the drug OR the placebo, because I've OBVIOUSLY not seen ANY relief.  It'd suck to know I got the placebo, but quite honestly, I'd PREFER to know I'm not getting the full drug, so that when I DO get the drug, MAYBE< just MAYBE it'll work and I'll get RELIEF!

Onto another day.... We go back in 2 weeks for a quick follow-up and then 2 weeks after that for the 3rd infusion.  I am at week 4 now, starting week 5.  So, in 8 more weeks, I can wean off the steroids (hopefully).  I will start that near the end of January.  As much as I hate these steroids, I wouldn't be functioning without them...