LIVING WITH MCL

Mark Twain said: Truth is stranger than fiction, but it is because Fiction is obliged to stick to possibilities; Truth isn't. While many may label this as fiction, and I will admit it may be somewhat exaggerated, it's certainly not far off the mark, and definitely the direction health care is heading in the US. (I think Monty Python might just have been a little ahead of their time.) [note]And yes I know I said I was taking a break from blogging, but I did say I would post things I thought were worth sharing. I was just of the thought this Monty Python skit (as well as the Albert Schweitzer quote) was definitely worth sharing.[/note]

Albert Schweitzer said: A man is ethical only when life, as such, is sacred to him, that of plants and animals as that of his fellow men, and when he devotes himself helpfully to all life that is in need of help. I actually think he [Albert Schweitzer] meant to use the word compassion when he made that quote, but either way, it's a shame more of our elected representatives, and business leaders, don't better understand either of those two concepts.

I've decided it's time to make some changes in my life, now that I'm no longer working. The first thing, obviously was to change the theme of my blog. I kept the previous one way too long. And secondly, I've decided to take a well earned break from blogging. (There are other changes as well, I'm just not going to bore everyone with them.) I started this blog over 5 years ago, and kept it going longer than most, but now this seems like the opportune time to take a break. It's just too hard coming up with something perceptive [or even imperceptive] to write about, on a regular basis. Plus I just don't have the motivation to continue any longer. (And my advertising revenues are down, which means hardly anyone is reading my blog anyways.) I may still post occasionally if it suits my fancy, or if I come across some valuable information I feel is worth sharing. Just don't count on much. But before I go, I thought I would leave everyone with a few pearls of wis...

As a result of several comments I received regarding my recent post referencing Steve Kirsch , I feel compelled to offer some clarification. My intention was not to cast dispersions on Steve in particular. Steve has donated and been active in many philanthropic endeavors. The post was meant to cast a wide berth, and include everyone who has reached a particular stature in life, i.e. Steve Case (AOL), Sergey Brin (Google), Larry Ellison (Oracle) etc. and the vast majority of our elected representatives, who have the resources to make a REAL difference in the world, but IMO, choose to act only selfishly, without considering the plight of others, or don't act at all. I was referring to everyone who waits to put their resources to valuable use only for things that benefit themselves directly. Everyone who waits for a catastrophic event to spring into action. Everyone who needs to be embarrassed [chided] into acting before they are willing to help. We have become....[snip] Like I said i...

It's now been just over 9 years since I was diagnosed with MCL, but unlike the fact I no longer have to go into work, this is something I don't think I'll ever get used to. I've even gotten to the point now where I think I may never need treatment, which wouldn't be a bad thing, but what's scary is, that mindset has become so engrained, I'm at the point where I'm afraid of treatment, and may be hesitant to take it, or even realize I need treatment, when the time comes. I may even benefit from beginning treatment now, with single agent Rituxan, which would likely make me feel better by reducing the size of my spleen, and my feelings of fatigue, but when I think of all the known [and potentially more severe] unknown side effects, I'm hesitant. After all, I'm not at the point where I am totally debilitated. I can still function somewhat normal (and not having to make that 80 mile drive to work any more has helped), so I maintain the status quo, hopi...