Part 2 of the EMPOWER Study by DxTerity
I’m sorry if I mislead you my friends. I didn’t realize it until it was too late. I got my DxTerity EMPOWER Study kit and it didn’t come with the cup of coffee that was shown in the picture posted on my first blog about this project. I actually had to make my own!!
I cry foul. Imagine my shock when I opened the box and there was no liquid caffeine to kick start the process. The kit did come with lots of other fun goodies-two finger stick things, alcohol swab, bandages to soak up all that blood, etc.
It also came with instructions and it turns out that caffeine before doing the finger stick is not ideal. But still, I made a cup (tea actually, I’m not much of a coffee drinker and thus, don’t need to whine,) and looked at instructions to make sure I got everything right.
At first, all the items in the box were confusing. But that was only because my brain was fatigued- I’d only had about 11 hours of sleep. Once I woke up and read the instructions, it turns out, donating my blood to this important study was easy to do! And the kit made me feel very clinical and super smart.
And here I thought I would be a lousy nurse.
Once I was ready to do the test and felt that the caffeine was somewhat out of my system, I did the first step they recommended. I opened each item and laid out everything in the box on a clean towel, so it would be ready as needed and would stay sterile. Of course, instructions or no, I march to the beat of my own drummer. And so, I insisted on using a Boston Bruins towel. There was a game that night and, so it was all related- Go B’s!
(And they won! Talk about empowerment!)
I did the finger stick and it was way easier then my last Solumedrol infusion. I collected the sample as directed, packed it up and shipped it off. I took the online survey and that’s it, I’m done. Now I just need to sit back and wait for a complementary gift card and the development of a from home blood test for multiple sclerosis, about 6-8 weeks.
Ok, there I go misleading you again. The gift card will take about 6-8 weeks, the from home blood test who knows. No promises can be made. BUT, I think back to my own diagnosis seven years ago and of all the progress that has been made since then. In December of 2009 the only treatment choices were 3-4 dreaded shots. In this short time the treatment options have increased to many more options including oral medications, more home injections and infusions.
On social media I’m constantly hearing about new experiments, testing and potential progress. There’s no MS cure yet but I’m regularly in touch with people diagnosed 20, 30 years ago and back then there wasn’t much treatment hope at all.
Progress has been made and thus it’s possible, VERY possible, that a cure will be found in the future- maybe even in the near future. While it’s not likely that it will be in 6-8 weeks I, for one, I’m thrilled that I could participate in this little home research study and perhaps help (even if only a little help, about 14 drops of blood help) science to develop a from home blood test to help manage this nasty, weird, horrible, overwhelming beast. And so I’m glad I took part in this study.
Even if they didn’t send me any coffee….
If you’re interested my friends there’s still time to participate. Click on this link to sign up-
Ya, I hope they find an answer 2 at least something that could/would help 1 of us with in any way with this silly disease. Thank You for sharing this !!!!!!! Have you or do you know we can’t donate blood & organs only if their family so choses because we have MS ? I’ve always haad on my Drivers Lis. ORGAN DONATE but I learned that & it makes me sad. I always thought that was my way 2 help somebody but we can’t. You article was good. Sorry it didn’t come wiith tea or coffee !!!!! They sure are helpful & kind when they come 2 our homes.
Thank you so much Diane- I really appreciate that. And no, I didn’t know that. I have the organ donor sticker on my license too. Before my diagnosis I was a regular blood donor. They used to call me and tell me, very seriously, “we really need your blood Yvonne.” It seems that my blood used to be the type of blood that got along with everyone else’s blood and so it was in demand, more popular than me. Since MS though I’ve been told I shouldn’t donate anymore. Oh well, perhaps Dr. Frankenstein can use our body parts for one of his experiments!
I regret that I cannot donate blood anymore. We used to have family outings to donate blood. We laughed at the differences I am O-, so I can give to anyone. My hubby is AB+ so he only gives to a few. I do not understand how the MS isn’t blood borne and they restrict us to donate.
On the bright side, my son and niece will donate blood as birthday and Christmas presents for me.
O- Yes, that’s it. I always forget that. I have O- too. I always tell people it’s the blood that gets along with everybody else’s blood. So coll that your son and niece donate on your behalf. My donations started in college when one of my friend’s younger sister needed blood. Our whole dorm suite went in together and I started donating from there. It wasn’t just to do a good thing. I kind of favored that donation sites that gave out free stuff. Or the ones who had good cookies.
Thank you for blogging about this study. I signed up an am looking forward to my wonderful box of stick me stuff soon.
You are too funny Darla! So glad you have been hanging out here. Good luck with the study and I hope you use the gift card to get yourself something cool!
I am happy that they sent two lanclets for the study. The first time we tried, we did not get enough blood. The second night I provided a lot more exercise to my hand (and much less caffeine during the day) and over filled the collector.
Thanks again for publicizing this study.
Thank you Darla! (PS What a cool name!)