There’s tragedy, and then there’s worse (UPDATED)

Print This Post

OK, for the handful of you who actually read this blog, I’ll bet you’ll do everything you can to save someone’s life.  And who knows, you might even go to truly dangerous lengths in your attempt to do so.

Cancer and procrastinators

Print This Post

I was at the auto dealership yesterday to check on my friend Floyd and to schedule another oil change and inspection.  Floyd is a service writer there, my service guy.  He’s a truly wonderful person and is good at his job — a nice pairing in any environment.

Ultra-Portable X-Ray machine in the offing?

Print This Post

Oh, I can just see Ambulance Driver in the back of the rig with a giant roll of tape hanging inside. 

Source: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,443470,00.html

Peeling Scotch Tape Emits X-Rays, Startling Study Finds

Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Associated Press

The cost of medical care

Print This Post

This post is especially for the younger folks who don’t think much about being hospitalized because they think they are indestructible, or because they think it won’t happen to them, or they are just too busy to think about it at all, in spite of the reality that they are one slip on the ice, one red light runner, one trip on the stairs, away from exactly what I just went through.  My situation is caused by disease and aging and this was my fourth surgery.  Medical expenditures are not always the result of something that is under your control.

No thanks, I’ll pass… (gas)

Print This Post

ujnews.com

May 2008
Baked Bean Diet Works Nicely For Nell

WHEN DOCTORS told Neil King tbat he risked bowel cancer be decided to change his diet and lose weight.

Laminectomies, discectomies, fusions, and such

Print This Post

I’m considering blogging my overall experience with four spine surgeries, two cervical and two lumbar, all with fusion, in order to possibly make the experience easier for others.  I do believe I have some helpful suggestions to make surgical recovery easier for those facing such operations in the future.

Sausages, laws, and surgery

Print This Post
The less people know about how sausages and laws are made, the better they will sleep at night.
and the slight variation,

I have about made up my mind that laws are like sausages — the less you know about how they are made the more respect you have for them.

Sometimes it just sucks

Print This Post

So a few weeks ago I bought a bicycle — no gears, reverse pedal for brake, your basic no-frills cheapo.  Just like the Schwinn I grew up on but a lot cheaper, and lighter. 

The Wonderful (?) World of Medicine (4)

Print This Post

ADVERSE DRUG REACTIONS

Having had one fairly severe adverse reaction to a medication during my childhood and only a few light ones in my adult life, I supppose I am fortunate, considering how many different prescribed and over the counter chemicals I have ingested. 

The Wonderful (?) World of Medicine (3)

Print This Post

It just doesn’t appeal to me.  The thought of it just doesn’t make my day.  I’m too busy.  I have no symptoms.  They just want to pad their corporate income.  I just don’t want to.  I don’t need to.

The Wonderful (?) World of Medicine (2)

Print This Post

Rest, never mind relaxation, just plain old rest.

The medical profession/industry has come full circle when it comes to assessing the value of rest, and I suspect the change has been spurred by the insurance industry, though I have not heard anyone in the medical profession admit it may be so.

The Wonderful (?) World of Medicine

Print This Post

I suppose I have enough experience with the world of medicine to have a credible opinion on the general subject, having had four surgeries and several “procedures” in two different hospitals in the last two years.

Confidence and trust

Print This Post

OK, that was good.  Now touch the bottom of your foot to the inside of your other leg.  Good.  Now the other one.

Now put your feet on the floor and tap your toes up and down.  Good.

Now touch your thumb to each of your fingertips.  Good, now the other hand.

Sometimes surprises, sometimes not

Print This Post

In the way of surprises, I got one today, and it relates to one of my pet peeves. Actually, it is probably my number one peeve by along shot. When I think of it I can’t even remember what number two is.