1 Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, 2 Department of Internal Medicine II, 3 Institute of Pathology, University of Ulm, D-89081 Ulm, Germany
Correspondence: Dr Sandra Pauls, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Ulm, Robert-Koch-Str. 8, D-89081 Ulm, Germany. E-mail: sandra.pauls@uniklinik-ulm.de
We report the case of a 55-year-old male patient who presented with non-specific pulmonary symptoms (cough, haemoptysis, fever up to 39°C, night sweats and weight loss). After empirical antibiotic therapy prescribed by his primary care physician, the patient showed no improvement in symptoms.
Laboratory findings were: elevated C-reactive protein and C-ANCA, leukocytosis and thrombocytosis, and anaemia. Chest radiography showed disseminated nodules bilaterally. On multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT), the bronchial walls showed a significant thickening and extensive peribronchiolar consolidations. Bronchoscopy revealed diffuse erythema of the tracheobronchial mucosa with diffusely scattered white plaques. Histopathology described a multifocal ulcerative bronchitis with underlying chronic bronchitis.
These findings in combination with the laboratory data lead to the diagnosis of Wegener's granulomatosis. Consequently, we started with an immunosuppressive therapy. Chest radiography after 10 days showed marked resolution of the infiltrates. Within 1 month, the patient became asymptomatic.
This is NOT a paid for post.
Friday, August 31, 2007
It Rained Today
It has been 85 days since the last rain. We had about five minutes worth of downpower with some thunder thrown in. Such a relief. My outdoor temperature is 75 degrees. I have the doors and windows open to catch a little humidity.
The finches are not happy about this rain. It was not in the travel brochure. They shelter on my balcony, eating seeds.
So huzzah, huzzah, huzzah... maybe our beginning drought has broken.
AND just so you know... THIS IS NOT a paid for post.
The finches are not happy about this rain. It was not in the travel brochure. They shelter on my balcony, eating seeds.
So huzzah, huzzah, huzzah... maybe our beginning drought has broken.
AND just so you know... THIS IS NOT a paid for post.
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Poetry Thursday: The Last Post
Oops, I sent the poetry to my Scrambled Sage on Toast blog. Golly, I have too many blogs or I am losing it.
Here is the poem.
A Yellow Rose
Imagine a garden
your kidney--a yellow rose
Each day you water it
and tell it to grow
Then as you care for it
and tend it
One day it will grow strong
It will clean your blood
like a plant cleans the air
Grow, yellow rose, grow
The idea of this poem came from an old German man in a Nephrology ward. His metaphor was a garden because he was a gardner. I will always remember his words. At the time my kidneys were dying. Now I have 50 percent of my kidneys. It is enough.
BY THE WAY this is NOT a paid for post.
Here is the poem.
A Yellow Rose
Imagine a garden
your kidney--a yellow rose
Each day you water it
and tell it to grow
Then as you care for it
and tend it
One day it will grow strong
It will clean your blood
like a plant cleans the air
Grow, yellow rose, grow
The idea of this poem came from an old German man in a Nephrology ward. His metaphor was a garden because he was a gardner. I will always remember his words. At the time my kidneys were dying. Now I have 50 percent of my kidneys. It is enough.
BY THE WAY this is NOT a paid for post.
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Jobs Americans Won't Do?
In this article from Sierra Sage (I picked my blogname before I knew about this little newspaper in northern Nevada), the writer Len Semas writes about the messy triangle between the government, U.S. workers, and illegal aliens.
His first job was delivering newspapers at 10. My first job was stuffing (stuffed animals) dinosaurs for our family business. I was about 13. Every job I had when I lived at home went into the family coffers for shelter, food, and clothing. There were 9 children and two parents. We needed every penny to survive.
Let's get this straight right now... I am not against immigration. But I am against illegal immigration. I have heard the complaints that illegal alliens (not just Mexicans... but also, asians, russians, you name it) are taking away jobs that we could do.
Here is an exmaple. Just two years ago, I met a Vietnam Veteran on the street asking for money. He realized that I was a Vet too (the sticker on my car), so instead of asking me for money, he asked where he could find daywork. I told him of the street where construction and landscape companies picked up Hispanic men for day work.
The Vet looked at me. "They won't hire me." he said "Because they would have to file a tax report." He walked away from me, his head down.
I wanted to help him badly, but I was paying for expensive medical treatment to keep alive. (I still am).
Now if these illegals would be willing to learn English, become citizens, and pay taxes... I would not be complaining. My great, great grandparents were immigrants from Norway, England, and the Channel Islands. They forged across the West for new homes. Many of my relatives were multi-lingual (they learned English)... English was NOT their original language.
I know... I am beginning to sound like a white (you name it)... BUT, they were willing to learn to live in a harsh environment. They were willing to become a part of a nation that was greater than themselves. They melted.
His first job was delivering newspapers at 10. My first job was stuffing (stuffed animals) dinosaurs for our family business. I was about 13. Every job I had when I lived at home went into the family coffers for shelter, food, and clothing. There were 9 children and two parents. We needed every penny to survive.
Let's get this straight right now... I am not against immigration. But I am against illegal immigration. I have heard the complaints that illegal alliens (not just Mexicans... but also, asians, russians, you name it) are taking away jobs that we could do.
Here is an exmaple. Just two years ago, I met a Vietnam Veteran on the street asking for money. He realized that I was a Vet too (the sticker on my car), so instead of asking me for money, he asked where he could find daywork. I told him of the street where construction and landscape companies picked up Hispanic men for day work.
The Vet looked at me. "They won't hire me." he said "Because they would have to file a tax report." He walked away from me, his head down.
I wanted to help him badly, but I was paying for expensive medical treatment to keep alive. (I still am).
Now if these illegals would be willing to learn English, become citizens, and pay taxes... I would not be complaining. My great, great grandparents were immigrants from Norway, England, and the Channel Islands. They forged across the West for new homes. Many of my relatives were multi-lingual (they learned English)... English was NOT their original language.
I know... I am beginning to sound like a white (you name it)... BUT, they were willing to learn to live in a harsh environment. They were willing to become a part of a nation that was greater than themselves. They melted.
Scrambled Sage On Toast
Since my life has settle down some, I am starting up my writing blog Scrambled Sage on Toast. Anyone (that's you Sideon) who would like to suggest writing topics can contact me at my email address. I would be happy for the suggestions.
Also Poetry Thursday is getting ready to shut down--sadly forever. So I will continue to write poetry on Thursday. But, if anyone would like poetry topics on my writing blog, I will be willing to write on this subject.
Just let me know.
Also Poetry Thursday is getting ready to shut down--sadly forever. So I will continue to write poetry on Thursday. But, if anyone would like poetry topics on my writing blog, I will be willing to write on this subject.
Just let me know.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Seeking a positive balance in the News
Sensationalism has been around as long as there were printing presses. For some reason, we have a fascination for tragedy and drama. Take for instance the "looky-loos" that drive slowly by an accident or fire.
A few years back, I decided that I needed to quit watching the cnn and other hourly services to lower my stress levels. That first few months, I had the urge to turn on the news station. I needed to know!
Read the rest of this article here.
A few years back, I decided that I needed to quit watching the cnn and other hourly services to lower my stress levels. That first few months, I had the urge to turn on the news station. I needed to know!
Read the rest of this article here.
Boot Camp Finale
I promised Success Warrior to finish this Boot camp segment. It has taken me tooooo long. Sorry.
Really, the last part of this boot camp post is more a denoument. We finished our boot camp qualifications, which included fire training. We got to pick up those big hoses and put out a fire. It was fun, heavy work.
We passed our physical training with flying colors. At our graduation (our company commander called us Bad Girls in Blue), we were the given the first company colors. We marched proudly. The command "Eyes Right" allowed us to look at our parents.
And no, my parents didn't come. Too busy. Too poor. Too ...
My CC and I were very careful and polite to each other. When the second "hell session" about three days came along, I was given a choice position as a barracks guard. Since it was our last week, our CC brought in a few movies. I slept more than I had in the last seven weeks.
The day before we left that barracks, we scrubbed it down and then packed our clothes into seabags. (The army would call them duffle bags.)
The morning we left, we carried our seabags to the bus. The CC took me aside. "Seaman Bagley," he said. "Too bad you are going to the CT's. You would have done well on a ship."
We shook hands. I climbed onto the bus. I was happy it was over. I was on my way to go to "A" school at Pensacola Florida.
Would I have become a CTM if I had known the length of the school? I think yes. I keep telling myself that it was worth it.
Methotrexate Toxicity
Methotrexate hepatotoxicity in psoriatics: report of 104 patients from Nova Scotia, with analysis of risks from obesity, diabetes and alcohol consumption during long term follow-up
The abstract can be found at Pubmed.
BACKGROUND AND DESIGN: Methotrexate (MTX) hepatotoxicity in psoriatic patients is well recognized, but there are discrepancies in the reported incidence and associated risk factors. This retrospective study describes 104 Nova Scotian patients with psoriasis seen between 1979 and 1990. Patients received MTX over one to 11 years (mean 3.38), with baseline and annual follow-up liver biopsies. Clinical data were obtained by chart review. Statistical analysis evaluated the risks associated with obesity, diabetes, alcohol consumption and duration of therapy, with the histological grade of liver biopsies.
RESULTS: Of the 104 patients, 35 were obese, 10 were diabetic and 37 occasionally consumed alcohol. At the end of the study, 21 patients had developed severe hepatic fibrosis (grade IIIB), and three developed liver cirrhosis (grade IV). Significant risk of severe hepatotoxicity is related to diabetes (P = 0.02) but not to obesity (P = 0.12) or alcohol consumption (P = 0.12). All patients with cirrhosis took MTX for two years in standard doses of 20 to 25 mg/week.
CONCLUSIONS: In this first Canadian study evaluating MTX hepatotoxicity in psoriatics, the incidence of severe hepatotoxicity is high: 23.1% (24 of 104 patients). This study shows that diabetic patients are particularly at increased risk of MTX hepatotoxicity. Occasional alcohol consumption is not associated with increased risk. Three patients who developed cirrhosis over two years of standard MTX therapy may represent a subset of psoriatics with increased hepatic susceptibility to MTX. Another three patients whose severe hepatic fibrosis had regressed upon discontinuation of MTX, but who developed accelerated recurrence of the severe hepatic fibrosis upon resumption of MTX therapy, also suggest the possibility of unusual sensitivity to the drug. These cases emphasize the need for continuing surveillance, with regular liver biopsies, of psoriatic patients on MTX.
My Analysis: Methotrexate is one of the drugs used to put my disease in chemical remission. According to this study, we would probably be at risk for cirrhosis.
The abstract can be found at Pubmed.
BACKGROUND AND DESIGN: Methotrexate (MTX) hepatotoxicity in psoriatic patients is well recognized, but there are discrepancies in the reported incidence and associated risk factors. This retrospective study describes 104 Nova Scotian patients with psoriasis seen between 1979 and 1990. Patients received MTX over one to 11 years (mean 3.38), with baseline and annual follow-up liver biopsies. Clinical data were obtained by chart review. Statistical analysis evaluated the risks associated with obesity, diabetes, alcohol consumption and duration of therapy, with the histological grade of liver biopsies.
RESULTS: Of the 104 patients, 35 were obese, 10 were diabetic and 37 occasionally consumed alcohol. At the end of the study, 21 patients had developed severe hepatic fibrosis (grade IIIB), and three developed liver cirrhosis (grade IV). Significant risk of severe hepatotoxicity is related to diabetes (P = 0.02) but not to obesity (P = 0.12) or alcohol consumption (P = 0.12). All patients with cirrhosis took MTX for two years in standard doses of 20 to 25 mg/week.
CONCLUSIONS: In this first Canadian study evaluating MTX hepatotoxicity in psoriatics, the incidence of severe hepatotoxicity is high: 23.1% (24 of 104 patients). This study shows that diabetic patients are particularly at increased risk of MTX hepatotoxicity. Occasional alcohol consumption is not associated with increased risk. Three patients who developed cirrhosis over two years of standard MTX therapy may represent a subset of psoriatics with increased hepatic susceptibility to MTX. Another three patients whose severe hepatic fibrosis had regressed upon discontinuation of MTX, but who developed accelerated recurrence of the severe hepatic fibrosis upon resumption of MTX therapy, also suggest the possibility of unusual sensitivity to the drug. These cases emphasize the need for continuing surveillance, with regular liver biopsies, of psoriatic patients on MTX.
My Analysis: Methotrexate is one of the drugs used to put my disease in chemical remission. According to this study, we would probably be at risk for cirrhosis.
Sunday, August 26, 2007
How to Dance With Your Doctor
Speaker 1 -- Mosqueda: Welcome to this workshop. My name is Laura Mosqueda. I'm a family physician and did a fellowship in geriatric medicine. The three of us are delighted to see such a turnout. Just to tell you the game plan -- if you could each introduce yourself briefly and tell us what your goals are for this workshop, so we can try to accommodate you. And then Patti, Bob, and I are each going to talk for a few minutes about some of the issues from our perspective. We have prepared a chart on how to be a good doctor and how to be a good patient (see Table 1).* Then we would like to allow a lot of time for discussion. So without further ado, I wonder if we can just go around quickly and hear each one of you.
Introductions are made.
Well, it's nice to meet all of you; I thank you for coming. We're going to try to avoid getting into too many small anecdotes and will try to keep it a little more focused on issues. So, of course, after I say that I have to tell you one anecdote. I never learned anything about polio in medical school other than nobody really has it any more because we have vaccines. Then when I was a family practice resident, a woman from Vietnam came into the clinic and said, "I have post-polio syndrome." She told me all these symptoms she was having, and the pain and fatigue, and how she was going to take care of it by working harder and swimming more. I told her I didn't know anything about post-polio syndrome, but I'd find out. I ended up sending her over to Rancho, where I saw some of the literature that was coming out from Dr. Perry's work. So, you're right, just to validate what all of you are saying, we [physicians] aren't taught about it, and there are some of us who are now out to change that. I'm very active in medical education and we're working on some of those things.
The rest of this article is here.
My analysis: This information is particularly helpful for those individuals with a chronic illness and if you can be an advocate for yourself. If you can't, then give this to your caregiver.
My husband and I know how hard it is sometimes to get the right information from the doctors--not because the doctor is hiding the information, but because the doctor doesn't realize that he or she is not translating from medical to layman language.
Introductions are made.
Well, it's nice to meet all of you; I thank you for coming. We're going to try to avoid getting into too many small anecdotes and will try to keep it a little more focused on issues. So, of course, after I say that I have to tell you one anecdote. I never learned anything about polio in medical school other than nobody really has it any more because we have vaccines. Then when I was a family practice resident, a woman from Vietnam came into the clinic and said, "I have post-polio syndrome." She told me all these symptoms she was having, and the pain and fatigue, and how she was going to take care of it by working harder and swimming more. I told her I didn't know anything about post-polio syndrome, but I'd find out. I ended up sending her over to Rancho, where I saw some of the literature that was coming out from Dr. Perry's work. So, you're right, just to validate what all of you are saying, we [physicians] aren't taught about it, and there are some of us who are now out to change that. I'm very active in medical education and we're working on some of those things.
The rest of this article is here.
My analysis: This information is particularly helpful for those individuals with a chronic illness and if you can be an advocate for yourself. If you can't, then give this to your caregiver.
My husband and I know how hard it is sometimes to get the right information from the doctors--not because the doctor is hiding the information, but because the doctor doesn't realize that he or she is not translating from medical to layman language.
Saturday, August 25, 2007
A True Dog Hero
There are more ways than dramatic fire or water rescues to save a person. Herky, a Jack Russell Terrier, showed me one. At the time, he was seven years old. I was 41.
I had been diagnosed with a rare disease called Wegener's Granulomatosis. My husband, the doctors, nurses, and most of my caretakers were not sure that I would survive. My kidneys had shut down. Every three to four weeks I would have out-patient chemotherapy. My immune system was so suppressed that it was better that I stayed away from the hospital. My doctors told us to stay away from large groups of people. If anyone sneezed in my direction, I could get extremely ill (or more ill.)
At the time, I was staying with my brother and sister-in-law. Herky was the house dog. As soon as I walked into the house, (I looked like a skeleton) he jumped up next to me and laid his head in my lap. Whenever I rested, he would be right there with his nose resting on my knees. He'd curl behind the back of my legs.
Finish reading this essay here.
I had been diagnosed with a rare disease called Wegener's Granulomatosis. My husband, the doctors, nurses, and most of my caretakers were not sure that I would survive. My kidneys had shut down. Every three to four weeks I would have out-patient chemotherapy. My immune system was so suppressed that it was better that I stayed away from the hospital. My doctors told us to stay away from large groups of people. If anyone sneezed in my direction, I could get extremely ill (or more ill.)
At the time, I was staying with my brother and sister-in-law. Herky was the house dog. As soon as I walked into the house, (I looked like a skeleton) he jumped up next to me and laid his head in my lap. Whenever I rested, he would be right there with his nose resting on my knees. He'd curl behind the back of my legs.
Finish reading this essay here.
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Poetry Thursday
Monument to a Loved One
The westerly sun stains
an ice-bound pond.
You kiss my hard cold
lips, then turn away.
A snowflake settles
on my brass head.
The westerly sun stains
an ice-bound pond.
You kiss my hard cold
lips, then turn away.
A snowflake settles
on my brass head.
Occupational dermal exposure to cyclophosphamide in Dutch hospitals: A pilot study
by Fransman, Wouter; Vermeulen, Roel; Kromhout, Hans 2004
Annals of Occupational Hygiene 48(3): 237-244
Introduction: Several studies have shown that exposure to antineoplastic drugs can cause reproductive toxic effects as well as carcinogenic effects. Presence of these drugs in the urine of hospital personnel has been widely studied and some work has been done on exposure by inhalation.
So far, assessment of dermal exposure to antineoplastic drugs has not been extensively studied. In this pilot study we assessed potential and actual dermal exposure for several common hospital tasks. Results were used to derive an optimal measurement strategy for a currently ongoing exposure survey.
Methods: Dermal exposure to cyclophosphamide was determined in three Dutch hospitals during five tasks (preparation, decanting urine, washing the patient, removing bed sheets and cleaning the toilet) using pad samples on 10 body locations. In addition, protective medical gloves (worn during the performance of these activities) were collected to estimate potential exposure of the hands. Subsequently, hands were washed to measure actual exposure of the hands. Bulk samples (i.e. application and body fluids) were collected and possible contact surfaces were monitored to assess the amount of cyclophosphamide potentially available for exposure.
Results: The results show that hospital personnel (i.e. pharmacy technicians and oncology nurses) are dermally exposed to cyclophosphamide during performance of their daily duties. Exposure occurred predominantly on the hands and sporadically on other body locations (i.e. forehead and forearms).
Gloves used during preparation of cyclophosphamide were more contaminated than gloves used in other tasks, however, actual exposure of the hands (underneath the gloves) was highest during decanting of urine of treated patients. Glove samples correlated significantly with handwash samples (r = 0.57, P = 0.03, n = 15). The level of protection from gloves varied between tasks, being highest for gloves used during preparation (median = 98 %) and lowest for gloves used during decanting urine (median = 19 %).
Conclusion: This pilot study demonstrated that dermal exposure to cyclophosphamide is common among hospital personnel. The results showed that hands, forearms and forehead accounted for 87% of the cyclophosphamide total body exposure. Glove samples together with handwash samples enabled estimation of glove efficiency, which appeared to vary strongly between tasks observed.
My Analysis: It was the day that I had to have my I.V. cytoxan. The nurse walked in completely covered like she was going into surgery. Why? Because the cytoxan was so toxic to others that they could not even touch the stuff. They were putting into my vein.
Also, I had to be careful because my urine was toxic. I had to wipe the toilet seat carefully every time I peed. But, it saved my life.
Annals of Occupational Hygiene 48(3): 237-244
Introduction: Several studies have shown that exposure to antineoplastic drugs can cause reproductive toxic effects as well as carcinogenic effects. Presence of these drugs in the urine of hospital personnel has been widely studied and some work has been done on exposure by inhalation.
So far, assessment of dermal exposure to antineoplastic drugs has not been extensively studied. In this pilot study we assessed potential and actual dermal exposure for several common hospital tasks. Results were used to derive an optimal measurement strategy for a currently ongoing exposure survey.
Methods: Dermal exposure to cyclophosphamide was determined in three Dutch hospitals during five tasks (preparation, decanting urine, washing the patient, removing bed sheets and cleaning the toilet) using pad samples on 10 body locations. In addition, protective medical gloves (worn during the performance of these activities) were collected to estimate potential exposure of the hands. Subsequently, hands were washed to measure actual exposure of the hands. Bulk samples (i.e. application and body fluids) were collected and possible contact surfaces were monitored to assess the amount of cyclophosphamide potentially available for exposure.
Results: The results show that hospital personnel (i.e. pharmacy technicians and oncology nurses) are dermally exposed to cyclophosphamide during performance of their daily duties. Exposure occurred predominantly on the hands and sporadically on other body locations (i.e. forehead and forearms).
Gloves used during preparation of cyclophosphamide were more contaminated than gloves used in other tasks, however, actual exposure of the hands (underneath the gloves) was highest during decanting of urine of treated patients. Glove samples correlated significantly with handwash samples (r = 0.57, P = 0.03, n = 15). The level of protection from gloves varied between tasks, being highest for gloves used during preparation (median = 98 %) and lowest for gloves used during decanting urine (median = 19 %).
Conclusion: This pilot study demonstrated that dermal exposure to cyclophosphamide is common among hospital personnel. The results showed that hands, forearms and forehead accounted for 87% of the cyclophosphamide total body exposure. Glove samples together with handwash samples enabled estimation of glove efficiency, which appeared to vary strongly between tasks observed.
My Analysis: It was the day that I had to have my I.V. cytoxan. The nurse walked in completely covered like she was going into surgery. Why? Because the cytoxan was so toxic to others that they could not even touch the stuff. They were putting into my vein.
Also, I had to be careful because my urine was toxic. I had to wipe the toilet seat carefully every time I peed. But, it saved my life.
All That Glitters
Have I mentioned that I lived in Johannesburg, South Africa in the early 1980's? In my long list of travels, South Africa was my first experience outside North America
Anyway, Johannesburg was built atop several gold mines. The mines had not been mined in many years. Most of the mines had been boarded up. Our big fear was that one day Johannesburg would disappear several miles into the ground. The whole city shook--a lot.
But I have to admit I was excited about gold and particularly about gold history. There was a gold museum outside Johannesburg that we would visit. We would go into the mine, pick up a nugget, give the nugget to the guide. The guide would smelt the nuggets, and then pour the liquid gold into a form. He would let it cool.
Tap. Tap. He would dump the ingot on the table. The sun would shine and we would see the true beauty of gold.
I admit that I had gold fever.
Just today, while I was researching information about Krugerrands and other gold products, I found a company called Monex Precious Metals. I admit I drooled at the pictures of bullion, ingots, and gold coins.
Monex looks like a good company. They have been around for 30 years dealing with gold and precious metals. They also have a good reputation. In a volatile real estate and stock market, gold and other precious metals have become a stable investment.
I still have gold fever.
Anyway, Johannesburg was built atop several gold mines. The mines had not been mined in many years. Most of the mines had been boarded up. Our big fear was that one day Johannesburg would disappear several miles into the ground. The whole city shook--a lot.
But I have to admit I was excited about gold and particularly about gold history. There was a gold museum outside Johannesburg that we would visit. We would go into the mine, pick up a nugget, give the nugget to the guide. The guide would smelt the nuggets, and then pour the liquid gold into a form. He would let it cool.
Tap. Tap. He would dump the ingot on the table. The sun would shine and we would see the true beauty of gold.
I admit that I had gold fever.
Just today, while I was researching information about Krugerrands and other gold products, I found a company called Monex Precious Metals. I admit I drooled at the pictures of bullion, ingots, and gold coins.
Monex looks like a good company. They have been around for 30 years dealing with gold and precious metals. They also have a good reputation. In a volatile real estate and stock market, gold and other precious metals have become a stable investment.
I still have gold fever.
Monday, August 20, 2007
Another WG patient
Another WG patient.
It is very rare for WG to affect African Americans. When I was living in Las Vegas, we had one African American, one Hispanic, and the rest of the group (about 10) were Caucasian.
It is very rare for WG to affect African Americans. When I was living in Las Vegas, we had one African American, one Hispanic, and the rest of the group (about 10) were Caucasian.
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Happy Birthday to Me
We went to the Sierra Safari Zoo. It was a small wildlife park north of Reno. I had a great time. Even the small cats were friendly.
The picture is of Rocky a serval cat. He loves to vocalize and hiss. He spent some time moaning at Otto (the hubby).
Then we spent a few hours in the mall.
It has been a great active day.
Saturday, August 18, 2007
A Story of Another Patient with WG
Eastchester's Panio escapes death, embraces life
WG has been diagnosed in patients as young as 9 and as old as 82. For this young man in the story, the challenge will be learning to live because WG is a lifetime disease.
WG has been diagnosed in patients as young as 9 and as old as 82. For this young man in the story, the challenge will be learning to live because WG is a lifetime disease.
Friday, August 17, 2007
In Her Majesty's Service
Tuxedo T-shirt tucked into a pair of wrinkled Dockers pants. Two socks, one black and one navy, peeked from under this ensemble. Hair, a mixture of gray and brown, spiked around a face with a two-day shadow and hung-over eyes. Glasses completed the picture, hung around his neck and swinging to moans as he reached for a cup of coffee and a red pen.
You can read the rest of this story at this link.
You can read the rest of this story at this link.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
Poetry Thursday
I wrote this poem about two or three months before I ended up in the ICU of the Landstuhl hospital. I don't feel this way today. But then, I was in a lot of pain. At the time, my doctors said I had rheumatism. Today, I have a vasculitis disease.
The reason I am sharing this poem is that maybe I can save someone else who is ill now and doesn't know it. I knew I was ill through my dreams and my pain, but I didn't listen to my body. The body knows.
Dispensation
Contrary to what
you've been told,
he said, tapping
a bony finger
to a white skull,
Pain doesn't clarify—
it shutters the senses,
dulls the mind,
prepares the small life
for termination.
You pray
for the end of pain,
pray for relief--
you dream.
The reason I am sharing this poem is that maybe I can save someone else who is ill now and doesn't know it. I knew I was ill through my dreams and my pain, but I didn't listen to my body. The body knows.
Dispensation
Contrary to what
you've been told,
he said, tapping
a bony finger
to a white skull,
Pain doesn't clarify—
it shutters the senses,
dulls the mind,
prepares the small life
for termination.
You pray
for the end of pain,
pray for relief--
you dream.
Sunday, August 12, 2007
Sunday Scribblings: Goosebumps
There are a lot of things that give me goosebumps-cold winds, scary stories, changes in temperatures. But, nature is sure to get me every time.
When I lived in Farmcreek, Utah above the Ute Tribe reservation, my Mom and I would drive down one of those roads (more like a small lane) that was like a roller coaster. (down, over a bridge and then up again). She would turn off the engine and let the car roll. We would scream.
She would like to do this especially at night.
One night she drove to that road. I felt a little uneasy. I begged her not to turn off the engine... at the very least not to turn off the lights. Of course, she did neither.
We rolled down the hill, going faster and faster. In a moment, we saw huge yellow eyes. Mom turned on the lights. There was a huge male cougar in front of us. In two leaps, he jumped off the road. I swear that his paws had a diameter of 4 inches. I know I screamed.
Mom hit the brakes. She turned on the engine. Even she was breathing hard.
"Let's not do that again," she said. We drove home.
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Elko Nevada Vacation
On Tuesday, my husband and I drove about 4 1/2 hours to Elko Nevada. Elko has a population of about 36,000, which makes it smaller than Carson City (about 50,000). We went through some very rural towns like Lovelock and Battle Mountain. Battle Mountain had a McDonalds, gas station, one or two businesses, and a trailer park. Did I say very very small?
From the physical size of Lovelock, I estimated that it had about 10,000 people living there. Winnemucca was much larger (near the size of Elko). We drove through a few of the cities to see if there was anything that we'd like to photograph. Sorry, nothing too interesting.
I really enjoyed the mountains and hills from Carson City to Elko. They looked like sleeping dragons waiting for someone to wake them up. A good metaphor because Nevada has the third largest amount of earthquakes in the U.S. (continental U.S. Nevada is number two behind California). I have seen a fault map that looks like all sorts of fault lines through the State. And, the seismological laboratory at UNR has said that several fault lines have not been followed--usually because there is only so much money ... and it goes to places that are more populated such as Las Vegas and Reno.
We could see when there was more water (the bushes were bigger and greener.) We also saw evidence of the huge fire from last year. The ground was still black. The remaining bushes were gray and black sticks. For revegetation, someone had raked the land (so that the seeds could catch into the land instead of being washed off in the rains).
We could see that any rain would cause debrish flow and flashfloods (another danger in Nevada).
We had some time to be quiet. We even had some time to watch cable T.V. We don't have it at home so it was a treat.
I was glad to get back to my own bed. And, yes we saw wild horses in the hills around the bend from Elko.
Friday, August 10, 2007
Funding the Vasculitis Foundation
Below this explanation is a shameless plug for the Vasculitis Foundation (VF). Because there are only a few diagnosed cases a year, there is very little funding for research.
Until 1980 or so, this disease was a death sentence. Through the VF's efforts, more people have been diagnosed and more people have been treated. And, more people have lived. It is a good organization. Back to the plugging from Judy:
FOR A DONATION OF JUST $1.00 to the Vasculitis Foundation (VF) you can provide research and awareness money for a family of diseases. Some of which are very hard to diagnose.
My name is Judy and I have one of these diseases, Wegener’s
Granulomatis (WG) which was once considered fatal, is a chronic, disease of the vasculitis family. It is very rare, as there are only 12,000 diagnosed cases in the United States.
When I first became ill, for over 30 days I went to the Drs and hospital, they could not figure out what was wrong with me. It was then they decided to send me to a larger hospital in another city. By this time I was very ill, anemic and needing transfusions, coughing up blood and at times incoherent. My daughter decided to look up the things that the Dr’s were saying plus my symptoms, on the internet, that is when she found the web sight call WG. She took this information to the hospital and was not well received. They then decided to do a open lung biopsy which confirmed I had WG. I lost the middle lobe of my right lung. At the new hospital I found a great Dr and was also sent to Stanford. Through a team approach and Drs with the knowledge of this disease, I am now in remission and doing well.
I am coordinating an email campaign, asking each recipient to donate $1.00 to the (VF) for research, education and patient support. Would you be willing to help? All you have to do is send your donation of $1.00 either by mail to Vasculitis Foundation PO Box 28660 Kansas City, Mo 64188 or go on line and make your donation directly to www.VasculitisFoundation.org Please make sure you put JMC on your check or tell them what fundraiser you are donationg to (JMC) if you do it on line.
My goal is to circulate the email to at least 10,000 people- if they all sent just $1 we could raise $10,000 to help find a cure. Please donate, and then pass it onto all your family and friends. Thank you for helping me with this fun way to help find a cure!
In appreciation,
Judy
Until 1980 or so, this disease was a death sentence. Through the VF's efforts, more people have been diagnosed and more people have been treated. And, more people have lived. It is a good organization. Back to the plugging from Judy:
FOR A DONATION OF JUST $1.00 to the Vasculitis Foundation (VF) you can provide research and awareness money for a family of diseases. Some of which are very hard to diagnose.
My name is Judy and I have one of these diseases, Wegener’s
Granulomatis (WG) which was once considered fatal, is a chronic, disease of the vasculitis family. It is very rare, as there are only 12,000 diagnosed cases in the United States.
When I first became ill, for over 30 days I went to the Drs and hospital, they could not figure out what was wrong with me. It was then they decided to send me to a larger hospital in another city. By this time I was very ill, anemic and needing transfusions, coughing up blood and at times incoherent. My daughter decided to look up the things that the Dr’s were saying plus my symptoms, on the internet, that is when she found the web sight call WG. She took this information to the hospital and was not well received. They then decided to do a open lung biopsy which confirmed I had WG. I lost the middle lobe of my right lung. At the new hospital I found a great Dr and was also sent to Stanford. Through a team approach and Drs with the knowledge of this disease, I am now in remission and doing well.
I am coordinating an email campaign, asking each recipient to donate $1.00 to the (VF) for research, education and patient support. Would you be willing to help? All you have to do is send your donation of $1.00 either by mail to Vasculitis Foundation PO Box 28660 Kansas City, Mo 64188 or go on line and make your donation directly to www.VasculitisFoundation.org Please make sure you put JMC on your check or tell them what fundraiser you are donationg to (JMC) if you do it on line.
My goal is to circulate the email to at least 10,000 people- if they all sent just $1 we could raise $10,000 to help find a cure. Please donate, and then pass it onto all your family and friends. Thank you for helping me with this fun way to help find a cure!
In appreciation,
Judy
Monday, August 06, 2007
Hot August Nights
Hot August Nights are here again in Reno, Sparks, and Carson City Area. This weekend the cars starred at Mills Parks. Here are a few pics:
And at least one Rat Rod:
And at least one Rat Rod:
Sunday, August 05, 2007
Some interesting Fallon Nevada news
Lahontan Valley News has an interesting article about polonium 210 found in several wells in Fallon, Nevada.
According to the U.S.G.S. and UNR research team, they think the polonium is naturally occurring in the area. The full report should be available at the end of the year.
You can't make this stuff up.
According to the U.S.G.S. and UNR research team, they think the polonium is naturally occurring in the area. The full report should be available at the end of the year.
You can't make this stuff up.
Gastrointestinal Manifestations of Rheumatologic Disorders, Review of Articles
Gastrointestinal Manifestations of Rheumatologic Disorders, Review of Articles
E. Aflaki, M.D.Department of Internal Medicine, SUMS
Abstract:
Rheumatologic diseases are multisystem disorders which can involve any part of the gastrointestinal tract, hepatobiliary system and pancreas. Gastrointestinal manifestation may be the initial presentation of these disorders but it may also be the complication of treatment. Gastrointestinal complications are one of the major causes of morbidity and occasionally mortality especially if they are not diagnosed and treated at proper time. The gastrointestinal manifestations of thirteen rheumatologic disorders are presented here in alphabetic order.
My Analysis: I have had real problems with GERD since I was diagnosed. I am on Prevacid two times a day. If you have problems of this nature, please go to the G.I. doctor. GERD when not treated can cause stomach and/or esophagus cancer.
The link to these articles are in the title. It makes some interesting reading.
E. Aflaki, M.D.Department of Internal Medicine, SUMS
Abstract:
Rheumatologic diseases are multisystem disorders which can involve any part of the gastrointestinal tract, hepatobiliary system and pancreas. Gastrointestinal manifestation may be the initial presentation of these disorders but it may also be the complication of treatment. Gastrointestinal complications are one of the major causes of morbidity and occasionally mortality especially if they are not diagnosed and treated at proper time. The gastrointestinal manifestations of thirteen rheumatologic disorders are presented here in alphabetic order.
My Analysis: I have had real problems with GERD since I was diagnosed. I am on Prevacid two times a day. If you have problems of this nature, please go to the G.I. doctor. GERD when not treated can cause stomach and/or esophagus cancer.
The link to these articles are in the title. It makes some interesting reading.
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