Okay, so I spoke to Ivy yesterday, my neuro's assistant. I told her all about the study, and the e-mail that Vince had sent to the dr for me, and how awesome it would all be. She put me on hold for a few minutes and then came back and said that unfortunately my doctor can't participate in the study of any other hospital, no matter how great it might me. So, no. The answer is no.
I wrote the lady in Texas about what my options might be now. The ones I could think of are : a) maybe get the protocol without actually participating in the study, just doing it on my own; or b) maybe Vince could be the liaison instead? ; or c) should I try to scare up another dr., like my primary care person? (she has not been treating me for POTS in any way, but still she's an MD and might be up for helping.) So we'll see what the Texas lady suggests at this point.
Heavy sigh.
I feel like everywhere I turn there's another barrier to progress. It's a downer. But even with just the overview they included in the medical article, I think I could roughly piece it together on my own or with a trainer. Much less easy or clear, and reinventing the wheel, but as a last resort I think it would be okay. If I were to go that route, I would not need to stop the Cymbalta anytime soon, and so in that respect it would be easier.
But still. Why are people like this? Apparently it's a Cleveland Clinic policy, but it really seems counter to scientific progress. WHy impede learning? It strikes me as greedy– as if if a Clinic dr helps another one out, then all the glory will go to another institution instead of the Clinic. But honestly, the Clinic is huge and has plenty of glory. Why hoard it?
Oh well.
I have more important things to think about. Isaac's birthday and Halloween are fast approaching. There are parties to plan and cakes to bake and goodie bags to assemble and costumes to design. Elias is home with a nasty cough today. I'm going to make some serious chicken soup, and continue my canning project with applesauce (we picked apples on Saturday). The kids need to be shuttled from school to horseback riding, Taekwondo, and gymnastics. Busy, busy.
The good news is that I am well enough now to do these things almost like a normal person, and so perhaps I should just bask in that for the time being.