Archive: October 2007

Now here is a wonderful way to calculate the day of the week for any date in any (well...) century. See this page for all the gory details.

The Basic Steps

The basic steps for a date in the years 2000-2099 are as follows:

Example date is July 13th, 2004

1. Take the last 2 digits of the year and add a quarter onto itself. (04 + 1 = 5)
2. Get the corresponding code for the month. (January = 6, February = 2, March = 2, etc. See month codes for details). July = 5
3. Take the day. (=13)
4. Add the numbers together (5 + 5 + 13 = 23)
5. Take away 7 (or multiples of 7) until a number from 1-7 is left. (23 - 21 =2)
6. This number corresponds to the day of the week. (1 = Monday, 2 = Tuesday, etc.) In this case 2 = Tuesday

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Sure, I can do this mentally, but I have to memorize codes and a bunch of rules. I'd be going mental!

My friend Phil found this and passed it on to me. I am going to try to make a digest version of the article, as I believe this could indeed be a breakthrough.

A Sydney scientist has created a world-first test which could save or extend the lives of cancer patients by drastically reducing the trauma of chemotherapy.

The test uses a dye to determine whether cancer cells are being destroyed, allowing for rapid changes in treatment.

Professor Philip Hogg has developed a family of molecules which attach themselves to dying or dead cancer cells, allowing doctors to determine if a particular course of treatment is working within 24 hours of the first dose.

Patients receiving chemotherapy or radiotherapy now have to undergo a full cycle of treatment before doctors can determine whether the tumour has been reduced or has grown.

"Chemotherapy has three outcomes - the tumour is reduced, stays the same, or it grows and spreads - but we have no way of knowing which way things are going until the end of a cycle of treatment, or several cycles," professor Hogg said. "If, at the end of a cycle, we find out the tumour has not been reduced, the oncologist must prescribe a new combination of drugs, or a different treatment, and the patient starts again. This means patients go through a lot of trauma and many don't have the time to waste on ineffective therapies."

Patients would be injected with the dye within 24 to 48 hours after the first dose of chemotherapy or radiotherapy. A CT scan would then show any dead or dying cancer cells. If there were none, or less than expected, an oncologist could immediately change the treatment.

It is believed the dye could also be used for people suffering strokes and heart attacks.

This story was found at: www.smh.com.au

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving in Canada, time to reflect, time to be thankful for blessings received.

I don't want to be philosophical about this, but realistic. I cannot begin to try to be all inclusive, so I'll just highlight a few items that I am thankful for.

CHEMO - my last chemo treatment was almost 3 years ago. My family doctor considers the result of my quarterly CEA tests good. I am thankful for the availability of treatment and the medical staff to apply it.

FAMILY - sure, one is always thankful for family, but let me single out the love of my life, my wife of 37 years, Cecile. We have not always agreed on everything, and I'm sure that we never will be in 100% agreement. Yet, if I'm honest, I would not have it any other way. We are two unique individuals, bound in marriage but bound in a good way. I am thankful that Cecile has always stood beside me during medical challenges and otherwise.

FAMILY - my sons, their wives, and grandchildren are just perfect. I hope to see all tomorrow at Duncan's for Thanksgiving dinner.

FRIENDS - too many to mention.  I count more friends in the last few years that have supported me during my challenges than I counted before. It seems that during difficult times, friends "just show up." This includes friends I have never met, other than via email. Some of those friends are still battling cancer and I am especially thankful for them.

Finally, my HEALTH is something to be thankful for. I have been able to finish painting the fence in my backyard (today), and the trim around the back window and door. I am able to climb ladders and stairs to get on the AgriCom roof to take photos. Sure there are some "issues" but overall, I like the view of the grass from the top much better than from the bottom, if you know what I mean.

Happy Thanksgiving to all my Canadian friends. My US buddies will just have to wait.

Interesting article in the October Ostomy Newsletter about this rather intimate topic. Skip if it does not apply...

Via: Greater Cincinnati, Metro MD & Vancouver Ostomy High Life
Way back before surgery, did you go to the bathroom after a hot cup of coffee, milk, cold juice, whiskey or beer? Well, whatever made you feel that need then can make you feel the need now. Check it out. See if your irrigation can be helped by some of the things you used to do. Of course, if you have had your colostomy for a number of years, your previous habits may not be the same now. Your body can, however, be trained as it was before, and you can adapt yourself to certain habits which can help you to be in control. A glass of hot water or juice, or a cup of coffee before a morning irrigation may initiate gut reaction. Also, a glass or two of water, after the water return starts, is usually helpful. If you irrigate before going to bed, a glass of ice water or a cup of hot coffee should get you started. If you have not drunk much water during the day, it would be wise to drink an extra glass or two to make sure your tissues will not absorb so much, or you may be left with little or no return. But what if you don’t irrigate? Part of the difficulty in elimination of waste matter experienced by colostomates is due to lack of bulk in the diet. Consumption of white bread, pastry and highly refined foods does not provide the roughage and bulk necessary for proper evacuation of the colon. The deficiency can be overcome in part by the simple addition of bran to the diet. Bran can be made into muffins adding raisins and molasses to taste. Diet. There is no such thing as a colostomy diet. A colostomy is not an illness, so try to eat the same foods you have eaten and enjoyed in the past. If you are on a diet for a condition such as diabetes or high blood pressure, of course you should stay on that diet. Foods can be acidic or alkaline, bland or spicy, laxative-like or constipating. Individuals react differently to food. Try to return to your former, normal diet. Those foods which disagreed with you in the past may still do so. Chew well and see the effect of each food on your colostomy output. To maintain good health, the body requires carbohydrates, proteins, fat, minerals and vitamins. Water is not nutritious but is absolutely necessary. Having a balanced diet is a fitting way to maintain good nutrition and keep bowel activity normal. Every day your body needs meats or fish, dairy foods, vegetables and fruits, cereals and bread, and liquids. Talk to your physician or ET nurse if you have problems. 

My son is wiring the basement of his new house. Asks me for advise. I look up the Alberta Electrical Code.

What gives? I can buy the code online, I can buy books about the code online, but I can't find out the content online?

Would we not prevent fires due to wrong wiring by making the code available to everyone, and not just those who can afford to buy the darn thing? No, somebody has to make a buck, and they don't give a damn if some amateur who WANTS to do it right, dies...

I mean, we're talking about ganging electrical outlets from a single circuit. We don't need the whole code for that...

The last couple of week I've been having problems with my hip. The doctor thinks it's burcitis but I'm not sure. Today it's not too painful, but I'll keep bugging the doc till I get some real answers.

Happy week, y'all...