Another One Down

March 9, 2010 | Filed Under Head and Neck, cancer, examinations, health, mouth, oncologist | No Comments

I had my 6-month follow-up with my oncologist today. It was an afternoon appointment — the last one I’ll have at that location as my doctor’s practice will merge with my radiation oncologist’s practice at the cancer center next month. Considering they are in transition, it was no surprise that the place was a mess. files and boxes everywhere.

Anyway, the good news is that I got another decent report. My doctor had me worried for a bit, however. Apparently, he doesn’t read the lad reports when they arrive, so he hadn’t read the results of the blood work I’d had done in September showing the low platelet count and elevated liver enzymes. So, he decided to have my blood tested in his office. Since he hasn’t done this since I was undergoing chemo, it made me a little nervous since I was expecting him to send me to LabCorp as per the normal routine.

The nurse had trouble locating a suitable vein so she had to draw blood through my hand. I had to wait for the results.

After fifteen minutes or so, the doctor called me into his office. Since doctors rarely call you into the office to report good news, I was scared shitless. As it turned out, he didn’t have the blood report yet and I had to wait even longer. I don’t know what he was expecting or why I had to wait in his office, but I had plenty of time to fret. After another twenty minutes or so, he finally returned with the report. I didn’t see it. All he did was say, "It’s not too bad." Which could mean that it was okay or that it was not so good. Nonetheless, he ushered me out of the room and escorted me back to reception where I was given another 6-month appointment for September.

I suppose I’ll find out what "not bad" means when, a few weeks from now, I go for my annual exam with my PCP because she’ll undoubtedly order more bloodwork. It never ends.

Patient Zero’s Blog Carnival #4

February 21, 2010 | Filed Under alternative therapy, cancer, health, musings, nutrition, treatment | No Comments

Welcome to the February 15, 2010 edition of patient zero’s blog carnival.

Baily Hayden presents 50 Free .Gov Resources for Health, Fitness and Medicine posted at Medical Career Database, saying, “While you may or may not trust government information, the sites that focus on health, fitness and medicine may prove helpful.”

Herbert Aitken presents Top 50 Blogs by Physicians posted at Best masters in healthcare.

Peggy Stoppelmoor presents 25 Ways Nanotechnology is Revolutionizing Medicine posted at mri technician schools.

Maureen Fitzsimmons presents Top 50 Early Childhood Health Blogs posted at ultrasound tech school.

Elisha Knackwood presents 7 Twitter Users Every Health Nut Should Follow posted at Master of Public Health.

Aaliyah Williams presents 10 Tips to Help You Take Control of Your Medical Records posted at MPH Degree, saying, “Your medical records, whether paper or electronic, are important documents that are generated or updated every time you visit a doctor.”

Dave Kauppi presents How Business Buyers Value Your Business – Ten Key Factors posted at Business Broker Chicago, saying, “If you are considering selling your business this article will help you evaluate your company as a strategic acquirer might. From that perspective it pays to focus on ten critical areas of value creation.”

Herbert Aitken presents 50 Nurses on Twitter Worth a Follow posted at Online LPN to RN.

Herbert Anderson presents 50 Free Online Health Web Sites Every Mom Should Bookmark posted at Nurses assistant.

Diane Steward presents Top 50 Healthcare IT Blogs posted at Masters in Health Care.

JohnQ Stakes presents Top 50 Blogs to Learn About Every Medical Career posted at Online LPN to RN.

Shakira Dawn presents Top 25 Cruise Ship Nursing Blogs posted at Online LPN to RN.

John Laugherton presents 25 Ways the Great Recession Is Affecting Our Health posted at online MHA degree.

Heather Sanders presents Top 50 Medical Technology Blogs posted at mri technician schools.

Camille Hensley presents How to: Take Care of a Sick Child Like a Nurse Does posted at Pediatric Nurse Practioner Degrees.

Allison Johanson presents Top 50 Medical Ethics Blogs posted at Best masters in healthcare.

JohnQ Stakes presents Top 50 Nursing Assistant Blogs posted at Nurses assistant, saying, “When you are a nursing assistant, it can help to have the perspective of a number of different people nvolved in the medical world. Nursing can be very rewarding, but also quite difficult.”

Anthony Stewart presents Obese People feel helpless about losing Weight, says Study posted at Breaking News Online, saying, “According to a recent study conducted by the Monash University in Australia, obese people feel uncomfortable when it comes to losing weight. They feel powerless nd helpless to go for that, it is reported.”

cancer stories

Martin Andrews presents Alcohol Related Cancer Alert – Discover How To Help An Alcoholic Today posted at Quit Alcohol Today, saying, “Discover how to treat an alcoholic as revealed in Ed Philips “How To Help An Alcoholic” guide, which offers tried and tested alcoholic addiction support to help an alcoholic quit drinking within 2 hours.”

exercise

Gracyqueen presents 10 Things You Should Know About Your Aging Brain posted at Associate Degree – Facts and Information.

medical news

Eadwine Walter presents 17 Healthcare Trends that Are Actually Bad for Us posted at Masters in Health Care, saying, “Computerization, recession issues, the digital divide and even the price of gas all affect people and their health care. This list of seventeen healthcare trends and why they might be bad for us shows that some issues might be debatable.”

Canika Jackson presents 11 Ways You Can Get Medical Care for Free posted at Radiologic Technician Schools, saying, “Medical care is an expensive proposition and any price discounts or freebies are hard to come by. However, if you donate the time and energy, you can find some surprising savings.”

Jasmine Smith presents The 20 Best Hospitals in America—and What Makes Them the Best posted at Master Of Health Administration, saying, “The healthcare field in America is constantly changing. With new technologies, medical advances, and financial challenges it is very difficult for organizations to stay ahead of the curve. This holds especially true when it comes to hospitals in America.”

Emily Moser presents Top 10 Medical Movies of all Time posted at Nurse Practitioner Schools.

mrs laughton presents 10 Tips to Help You Stay Healthy During a Hospital Trip posted at X-ray Technologist Schools, saying, “Nobody looks forward to a trip to a hospital; nobody likes to fall sick. Haven’t met anyone that has really relished hospital food and if your luck is really bad then you land a matronly nurse or worse, a male nurse.”

Karen Eisenbraun presents Acupuncture May Help Hot Flashes During Breast Cancer Treatment | Healthy Theory posted at Healthy Theory.

Frederick Yarmy presents Top 50 Nursing Assistant Blogs posted at Nurses assistant, saying, “hen you are a nursing assistant, it can help to have the perspective of a number of different people involved in the medical world. Nursing can be very rewarding, but also quite difficult.”

nutrition

bob williams presents A Balanced Diabeteic Diet Is Just One Part Of A Natural Diabetes Treatment Plan posted at Controlling Diabetes For LIfe, saying, “”In order to achieve normal metabolism in diabetic patients, some form of dietary measures are always recommended. A well balanced diabetic diet is just one part of a balanced natural diabetes treatment plan. The main aims of diet control are 1. Avoid hyperglycemia 2. Minimize fluctuations in blood glucose levels and reduce overall blood glucose 3. Achieve weight reduction in obese patients to reduce insulin resistance, hyperglycemia, and dyslipidemia 4. Avoid hypoglycemia and weight gains that are commonly associated with drugs such as insulin 5. Avoid diets that may aggravate diabetic symptoms. For example, diabetic nephropathy may become acute in case of a high protein diet. These diets are known as atherogenic diets in medical parlance.”"

Diane Steward presents Top 50 Blogs to Help You Live Healthy posted at BSN Program, saying, “ore and more people are seeking a healthier lifestyle. Indeed, recent events in the economy have served as a wake up call for more than finances; for some, it is clear that fundamental changes need to be made in the way they live.”

wellness

Kristie Lewis presents Germ Facts for Flu Season (Infographic) posted at NursingDegree.net.

Martin Andrews presents 7 Easy Tips That Show How To Help An Alcoholic posted at Stop Drinking Advice, saying, “Discover how to deal with an alcoholic as revealed in Ed Philips “How To Help An Alcoholic” guide, which offers tried and tested alcoholic addiction support to help an alcoholic quit drinking within 21 days.”

Gracyqueen presents 10 Hotel Health Traps You Should Really Beware Of posted at RN Central.

Martin Andrews presents How To Help An Alcoholic By Identifying Their Drinking Problem posted at Stop Drinking Advice, saying, “Discover how to treat an alcoholic as revealed in Ed Philips “How To Help An Alcoholic” guide, which offers tried and tested alcoholic addiction support to help an alcoholic quit drinking within 2 hours.”

Dr. Armughan presents Menopause and High blood pressure posted at High Blood Pressure Symptoms Treatment Diet.

Patient Zero Blog Carnival #3

January 17, 2010 | Filed Under alternative therapy, cancer, health, musings, nutrition | No Comments

Welcome to the January 18, 2010 edition of patient zero’s blog carnival.

Leslie Brown presents 25 Most Bizarre (But Real) X-Rays posted at ultrasound tech school.

Anne Valens presents 25 Online Tests to Check Up on Your Health posted at Diagnostic Medical Sonography Degree.

Robert Damone presents Top 50 Blogs to Learn About Health Administration posted at online MHA degree.

mrs laughton presents Top 50 Hospital Administration & Business Blogs posted at Masters In Health Care Online.

bigred hagans presents 25 Google Tips and Tricks for Healthcare Professionals posted at Online BSN.

Bluehippo Avalonne presents Top 50 Surgery Blogs posted at Online Surgical Technician Courses.

Anthony Stewart presents 10 Most Famous Surgeries of All Time posted at Online Surgical Technician Courses.

Anne Valens presents 25 Amazing Infographics and Studies Showing the Cost of Obesity posted at masters in health science.

Jimmy Hagans presents 50 Must-Bookmark Nursing Care Plan Libraries posted at Online LPN to RN.

Maureen Fitzsimmons presents Top 50 Medical Technology Blogs posted at Become An X-ray Technician.

Camille Hensley presents 50 Open Courseware Classes to Learn About the Healthcare Debate posted at Best masters in healthcare.

Allison Johanson presents 50 Open Courseware Classes on Diseases & Pandemics posted at BSN Program.

Diane Steward presents Top 50 Blogs for Job Seekers in the Healthcare Field posted at Online CNA Degree Programs.

mrs laughton presents Top 50 Nanotech & Biomaterial Blogs posted at Masters in Health Informatics.

bigred hagans presents 25 Intriguing Online Quizzes and Calculators to Test Your Life Expectancy posted at Best masters in healthcare.

Frederick Yarmy presents Top 50 Public Health Blogs posted at masters in health science.

cancer stories

sagarika satapathy presents Lung Cancer, Its symptoms and treatment posted at Social Work for Mankind.

Tracy Kudrna presents Can you say Soy? posted at Breast Cancer and me-My breast cancer blog, saying, "I have been maintaining a breast cancer blog for almost 2 years now, chronicling my journey with breast cancer."

exercise

Divinelysmile presents 100 Weird Phobias That Really Exist posted at Nursing Degree Guide.

Gracie Turner presents 100 Easy and Awesome Exercises You Can Do In Your Dorm posted at Online Classes.org.

medical news

Heather Sanders presents Top 50 Blogs by Medical Professionals posted at BSN to MSN.

Emily Moser presents Top 10 Myths About Swine Flu That Just Won’t Die posted at Pharmacy Technician Certification.

nutrition

NHE presents The health benefits of garlic (helping prevent weight gain?) posted at Natural Health Ezine, saying, "Research has been conducted for years regarding the effect of garlic and the prevention of cancer…"

Anthony Stewart presents Top 50 Hospice Care Blogs posted at Nurses assistant, saying, "Hospice care, whether it takes place in the home or in a facility, is often marked with the idea of comfort, and being surrounded by loved ones."

wellness

Stas Voras presents Amazing Fish Oil (Omega 3) posted at Vitamins and Supplements, saying, "In spite of the fact that Omega-3 fatty acids (the outstanding part of Fish Oil) have been studied as essential to normal growth and health since the 1930s, consciousness of their health benefits has dramatically increased in the past few years. Analyses about fish oil are produced practically every day as the scientific public detects more and more of the many unique omega 3 fish oil advantages. If you haven’t already been passed up in the net yet, here are some substantiated omega 3 benefits you should know about."

Ally Peterson presents 25 Amazing Infographics and Studies Showing the Cost of Sickness posted at Nurses assistant, saying, "According to these studies, it can be very costly to be sick!"

Gracyqueen presents 100 Inspirational Health Posts to Make Good On Your New Year’s Resolution posted at RN Central.

Amy Joines presents Top 20 Sites For Dealing With Heart Disease posted at MRI Technician Training.

Rose King presents Today’s Nursing Shortage By The Numbers (Infographics) posted at NursingDegree.net.

Martin Andrews presents The AA Alcoholism Treatment posted at Stop Drinking Advice, saying, "Discover how to quit drinking as revealed in Ed Philips "Alcoholism Treatment Guide", which offers tried and tested alcoholic addiction support to quit drinking within 21 days."

That concludes this edition. Submit your blog article to the next edition of patient zero’s blog carnival using our carnival submission form. Past posts and future hosts can be found on our blog carnival index page.

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