Medical Stuff

Well, I finally got my blood transfusion - 2 units.
People often ask me what they can do to help. I would suggest you donate a pint of blood to either the Transylvania Foundation or in my name at the Fresno-Madera Blood Bank.

Also, the urine in my urine bag (I have a catheter in) started to look cloudy, so I checked it with a chem stik indicating an infection in the bladder. I have started on some antibiotics and feel OK. Time will tell.

BTW - if you women readers are inclined to get urinary tract infections, - I would suggest buying come chem-stix. this is a strip of paper that you did in your uirne and will tell you 10 different things, In the case of bladder infections, it will tell you if you have WBCells and nitrates in the urine. Bacteria in the bladder break down the normal urea into nitrates. A singel striip costs 40 cents. If the strip is positive, you can call your doctor and get come antibiotics or further tests.

Well, Fresno State lost another one against Texas A and M. Although it was as close a game as you can get (23 overtimes), it is still a loss. Next time I see coach Hill I want to ask him why he did not go for 2 points at the end of regulation - one shot for it all. I do not disagree with his decision but I have had coaches say that if they are the underdog on the road and one play can win it all, they will play all in and go for the victory. Good luck to the dogs - I hope they get it into their heads that they are a very good football team and can can with anybody.

JOKE

What does an evagelical preacher at an outdoor rally have in common with Fresno State running a 4th quarter trick play.

ANSWER: Both have 35 000 people say Oh Jesus at the same time.

Stay tuned.

Bill

Stop Messin' With Me Uncle Sam!

Procrit - an injectable drug used to stimulate the Red Cell count in an anemic person.

Hemoglobin (HBG) - the amount of 'red' in the red clood cells - useful measurement of degree of anemia ... normalk = 12 - 15

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My HBG has been running around 8.5 secondary to the ablation of some of my bone marrow from the radiation I have received recently to knock out the spinal cord tumors. When I was receiving Procrit in the hospital, the HBG would run 8 - 11. I have not had a blood count recently until yesterday and have not had any Procrit since leaving the hospital two weeks ago.

Yesterday i went to visit my oncologist and it was 8.5. Look how gray my skin looks in the following picture taken several days ago.




Well it turns out that Medicare will only pay for Procrit if the patient either has (renal failure), (recent chemotherapy), or (myleodysplasia)....so I am not eligible for Procrit -- so instead I have to get blood transfusions with double the cost and 10 times the risk. Seems the US Government knows more about treating me than my Oncologist!

The Kennedy girls were up this weekend and brought along their parents as well as Peter and Nichole.



It was a wonderful time as usual.

Go Steelers!