LIVING WITH MCL

Right about now you're probably thinking, here we go again, more complaining. You might have been right too, if it weren't for the following post I received the other day. the next time I read a blog, I hope that it doesnt disappoint me as much as this one. I mean, I know it was my choice to read, but I actually thought youd have something interesting to say. All I hear is a bunch of whining about something that you coul... What's interesting about this comment, besides the fact there is some truth to it, it was spam. I know it was spam because it came from someone with a "buy ambien" website, and some other drug links. Spam posts aren't unusual, I get lots of them, but they're usually accompanied by a comment praising my blog, and noting how informative it is. So it was a surprise when I read it, something I don't usually do. It was as if actual [living] person, not a computer, was behind this post, issuing me a wake up call. The only question is, wil

Just received the results of my most recent blood test, and they included results for IGA, IGG, and IGM. I went back and reviewed all my past test results, in order to compare, and couldn't find any indication of that being checked before. My CBC, Beta2 Microglobulin, LDH etc. were basically where they've been for the past few years, and even my IGG was normal - 1458 (694-1618 ref range). The problem is my IGA is low - 68 (81-463 ref range), and my IGM is high - 332 (48-271 ref range). I've been going along just fine without knowing this information, and I don't feel any different than before, so I'd hate to become alarmed by something that isn't so unusual for someone in my situation. It's as if I don't have enough to worry about, now I have another reason to be concerned. I guess it truly can be said, too much information isn't always a good thing. At this point I almost wish I didn't know the results. I think I'd be feeling a lot better ab

I've been told on occasion by a doctor friend of mine, after one of my posts about how poorly or depressed I'm feeling, that I should take an anti-depressant. As most of you [should] know, I have always staunchly refused to do so, but not because I didn't think they worked. It's because I felt it wasn't necessary, could do more harm than good, and I could deal with such feelings better without them. And after watching last nights 60 Minutes , I feel vindicated in my approach. There now appears to be some evidence not only supporting my belief, but also casting doubts on the efficacy of anti-depressant drugs . But why this should come as a surprise to anyone is beyond me. I have constantly been preaching on the ineffectiveness of vitamins and supplements, and how you can't boost your immune system . I've always believed it is simply a scam perpetrated by the vitamin and supplement industry to separate you from your hard earned money. Everything you need to ma

The reason being, everything comes easy to superstars, and they expect everyone to perform at the level they performed. They don't understand the problems and pitfalls of doing what they know best, because they've never experienced any, so they have great difficulty teaching others how to avoid something they know little about. This is true not only in sports. It's true in all walks of life, and in everything we do. [Even politics] I, for one, find it difficult to understand how patients can unquestionably listen to their doctor, and jump into treatment right away, without considering all the consequences, and at least doing some research into all the possible options. I find it hard to believe any diagnosis of cancer is so advanced there isn't even sufficient time to seek a second opinion. And maybe 4 days was enough for the person who posted on Facebook, that her husband was diagnosed with lymphoma last Monday, and started treatment that Friday, to have done all the r

There's always the shot of LA, from the top of Turnbull Canyon (about 40 miles away), that leaves me in awe, but when I saw the sunrise this morning, "awe" just doesn't seem to cut it. What's so amazing is there was a storm a few miles off shore, about to head inland (it's here now), and it was cloudy everywhere. So when I turned that corner, what I saw was totally unexpected. It didn't last very long, but for that brief moment, I was in awe (for lack of a better term). I know I'm going a little overboard here, after all it's only a sunrise, but I can't help myself. You don't get many opportunities to see sunrises like this, so when you do, you just have to enjoy it [and share]. I only wish the camera could have done it better justice.