Pet Scan: 2月 2012

2012年2月29日星期三

Ever Stutter?

It is a fact - up to one-out-of-three people stuttered for a time during

childhood; after a month or less, and it self-extinguished.

Remember how it made you feel? Embarrassed to open your mouth,

you kept your head down in school and prayed you were not call on.

It made you the butt of the joke at home and in the schoolyard.

Modern scientific research in the cause and cure of stuttering is a century old,

and it remains a mystery, and to adults a terror.

Facts:

a) In the U.S. 3-million folks are chronic stutterers - 1% of the population.

b) Four-times as many males are afflicted than females.

c) A new drug - Pagoclone - is showing major success is reducing stuttering.

d) It appears to be genetic in 60% of the cases - a close relative stutters.

e) There is a structural and functional brain difference in the areas of speech

and language. PET scans show decided brain differences after speech

therapy and between those who stutter and non-stutterers.

Define it

Three elements occur in this speech disorder:

a) abnormal stoppages

b) repetition of syllables

c) elongation of sounds

Famous People

Winston Churchill, Carly Simon, James Earl Jones, Moses, and Yankee star -

Johnny Damon. It made them half-crazy, but they overcame the fears and

embarrassment of appearing and speaking in public.

Research

In 2006, Luc De Nil, chairman of the department of speech and language pathology

at the University of Toronto used PET scans to discover stutters are Right-Brained.

Non-stutterers are Left-Brained, with less emotional involvement in speech.

Further, there is an excess of the neurotransmitter, Dopamine, in those who

stutter chronically. It is now accepted by scientists that stuttering is a neurological

condition.

People who suffer from chronic stress are prone to stuttering. Recent PET and fMRI scans show that those who stutter do not have standard activity in their Auditory Cortex.

We are talking about the only disorder the general population finds it acceptable to imitate and poke fun at the sufferer.

Two Personal Solutions

Stuttering dreads diaphragmatic breathing exercises, and MI - mental visualizations of relaxing scenes.

The new drugs attempt to control the flow of the brain neurotransmitter -

Dopamine, and that is effective. Slow breathing, deep from the solar-plexus causes

a reduction of stress.

Producing acetylcholine from the Parasympathetic nervous system through deep

relaxation, instead of adrenaline-epinephrine from the Sympathetic nervous system

causing stress, reduces stuttering up to 66%. Diaphragmatic breathing practice for 30 minutes daily, over 21 days, produces measurable results.

Daily meditation for 20 minutes, twice-a-day, uses the movie-screen of your mind

to produce relaxing scenes. Imagine a day at the beach sunning yourself near the

booming waves of the ocean. Create a picnic with friends or family as a mental-image to relax your vocal cords and produce non-stuttering speech.

Doing both breathing exercises and mental visualization work best because they

cause conscious change of focus from the problem.

One graduate used chanting during his daily 20 minute meditation, and reported he

all but eliminated his life-long chronic stuttering in about four-weeks.

His chant was two syllables - BUT-MOM, repetitiously for five-minutes, and later - SA-TA-NA-MA for an additional five-minutes. We found them in Kundalini Yoga (it means coiled up - like a snake), and they are recommended in ancient texts for

mental and physical healing. It works for much more than stuttering relief.

Endwords

Did you know that our 3 pound coconut (brain), requires 24% of all the oxygen

we inhale? Wait, when we are learning, thinking or under stress, our brain needs

an additional 10% dose of oxygen.

If you choose to do two-minutes of diaphragmatic breathing as a daily ritual -

you are oxygenating your brain for enhanced concentration and memory. A single two-minute session positively affects the mind and body for up to two-hours.

Did you know that speed readers slice their Learning-Curve up to 50%?

They read 3x fast, remember 2x better, and learn up to 50% smarter.

Ask me how.

See ya,

http://www.speedlearning.org

hbw@speedlearning.org

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Author of Speed Reading For Professionals, published by Barron's; former business partner of Evelyn Wood, creator of speed reading, graduating 2 million, including the White House staffs of four U.S. Presidents.

Quoted by Fortune Magazine and the Wall Street Journal.

http://www.speedlearning.org
hbw@speedlearning.org

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Prostate Cancer - Overall

Device external radiation treatment

Example of an ultrasound affected by prostate cancer (ultrasound can be used to guide a biopsy). Cancer develops from the tissues of the prostate, a gland in the male reproductive system when cells will mutate to spread so uncontrollably.

These can spread (metastasize is) in migrating from the prostate to other parts of the body (especially bones and lymph nodes).

Prostate cancer occurs regardless of benign prostatic hypertrophy (or prostate adenoma). It is in the vast majority of cases adenocarcinoma.

Prostate cancer can cause pain, difficulty urinating, erectile dysfunction and other symptoms. Treatment is by surgery, radiotherapy, hormone therapy and sometimes chemotherapy, or combination of these methods.

Frequency

The rate of breast cancer varies widely throughout the world. It is less widespread in South Asia and Far East, more common in Europe and even the United States. According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is rare among Asians and more prevalent among blacks (high rates may also be influenced by the increased effort detection).

Prostate cancer develops most often in men over fifty years. This is the type of cancer most common in men, where he is responsible for more deaths than any other cancer (except lung cancer). However, many men who develop prostate cancer symptoms do not, do not undergo any therapy and die for other reasons. Many factors of genetic origin, toxicological and diet-related seem involved in the development of this cancer.

We find outbreaks of cancer cells in 30 to 70% of cases in studies performed in autopsies of men 70 to 80 years; prostate cancer remains the most often asymptomatic: the probability of a man 50 years know a diagnosis of prostate cancer is only 10%. In 3% of cases, this cancer will be fatal.

Geography of Prostate Cancer

There are significant differences in the expression of this cancer, which seems more common among the black man, or where the family has a history pathological with this condition. From 1983-2002, while deaths from cancer were generally higher in the Caribbean city, deaths from prostate cancer and stomach were twice as common in the Caribbean in the mainland (while colorectal cancer and lung cancer were three times less frequent). This could be explained by both genetic reasons and food (green tea and / or soybeans or other foods rich in selenium) which appear to protect most Japanese living in Japan (while living in the United States is not).

Causes

They are not known with precision.

There is a genetic predisposition and the presence of certain genes seems slightly correlated with the onset of the disease. In particular, a mutation on chromosome 8 might explain the higher incidence of this cancer in black American.

Nutritional causes were discussed with a potentially protective role of lycopene. Similarly, exercise may have a slightly protective effect and tobacco a deleterious effect.

Symptomatology and detection

In most cases, prostate cancer is asymptomatic, ie it is discovered when it does not own event to it. It is most often found:

During blood tests, including investigation of the PSA (specific antigen for prostate, whose predictive value and use, without proven benefit to public health, has recently been called into question). The PSA is a protein normally secreted by prostate cells, but cancer cells secrete 10 times more than a normal cell. This property has raised many hopes in terms of screening. The blood level of PSA can be increased by many other factors (the prostate volume, infections and / or inflammation, the mechanical (digital rectal other)...) or decreased by certain treatments for benign hypertrophy (ministered). The thresholds of significance are therefore difficult to establish. It is recognized, however, rates of PSA between 4 and 10 ng / ml are doubtful, but it is clearly significant beyond. Some authors have proposed to bring the rate to its actual weight of the prostate, or assess the free PSA / total PSA, or the kinetic growth rate over 2 years. Scorer still uncertain for screening, the PSA level is, however, a key indicator for monitoring and treatment of cancers reported.

During a rectal examination, conducted as systematic or because of symptoms related to another illness (especially benign prostatic hypertrophy) incidentally, on parts of resection of the prostate during surgical treatment of prostate adenoma.

When it is symptomatic prostate cancer is most often at an advanced stage. It can lead to: acute retention of urine, hematuria, sexual impotence, impaired general condition pain and / or malfunction or failure of other organs associated with the presence of metastases

Diagnosis

The diagnostic orientation based on two key elements: the digital rectal examination and determination of PSA blood. The abnormality of one or both leaves suspect prostate cancer. It will be confirmed or not, by taking a sample of the prostate (biopsy) for examination under a microscope. Only the positivity of these biopsies permits to plan and begin treatment of this cancer. Once confirmed the diagnosis of prostate cancer, we conduct a bone scan in search of bone metastases and abdomino-pelvic CT or MRI abdomino-pelvic to clarify the extension of the tumor in the prostate and houses of possible pelvic lymph node metastases, retroperitoneal or liver.

Clinique

Clinical examination is the fundamental digital rectal exam.

The most specific induration of the gland. This induration may be nodular, it may also involve an entire lobe or the entire gland palpable. A heterogeneous consistency or asymmetry are much less specific signs, which can also translate a simple adenoma, particularly when the prostate is larger.

Ultrasound trans-rectal biopsies

There is currently no consideration imaging practice that could only detect an outbreak of prostate adenocarcinoma with a sensitivity and specificity satisfactory.

Contrary to popular belief still widespread, and although this review and is still often prescribed endorectal ultrasound alone has no relevance to the positive diagnosis of prostate cancer, under the inconvenience it is likely to cause. It shall, however, when its interest is used to guide prostate biopsies. Other imaging modalities (scan, MRI) have an interest in the balance sheet expansion.

Technique

An endorectal ultrasound probe equipped with a guide needle is inserted into the rectum. Biopsies were performed with needles fitted with a notched mandrel. The mandrel penetrates the first. The needle just cover, and decide to imprison and the fragment of prostate located in the notch. The movement of chuck and the needle are automated by a system of springs and the taking is a few hundredths of a second. The screen of the ultrasound, with a landmark representing the path of the needle, permits, thus firing biopsy very precise.

The number of biopsies, and where they should be, are not well codified and many protocols have been proposed: the aim is to obtain a sample as representative as possible. Currently, it is frequently performed 5 to 6 samples per lobe, or 10 to 12 in total. These numbers may be reduced or increased depending on the size of the prostate, tolerance of the patient, or if a second set of biopsies.

Preparation and conduct

This is a frequently performed as an outpatient, ie without hospitalization, or during hospitalization "for days". A rectal preparation (enemas) is often advocated. Many centers now offer systematic antibiotic (short antibiotic treatment to reduce infectious complications). The concomitant anticoagulation is in principle against inappropriate and that any treatment can be subject to arrest or a temporary modification.

Tolerance

Acceptance of the review is particularly variable from one patient to another. Each biopsy is shooting itself very painful. However, their repetition, and especially the presence and movement of the probe are the main factors of discomfort. The inconvenience of this review may justify the use of local or general anesthesia. Local anesthesia with a gel anesthetic (lidocaine gel) has never demonstrated its effectiveness. Local anesthesia by injection of lidocaine on each side of the prostate (nerves pudendaux) has shown in many studies improved tolerance of the examination, however incomplete, because of its low efficiency discomfort associated with the presence of the probe. Anesthesia "general" Mild equimolar mixture of oxygen and nitrous oxide ( "MEOPA") has recently been evaluated and appears very effective in this indication. It is even more interesting that easy to implement because does not require an anesthetist and seems almost devoid of side effects. General anesthesia "classic" is rarely used, reserved for patients who have suffered greatly during the first of a series of prostate biopsies.

Suites

Any pain disappear in a few tens of minutes. Can occur fairly frequent small bleeding through the anus and in urine for 24 to 72 hours without gravity. Small nets blood may also interfere with sperm for several days, again without any consequences.

Anatomopathologie

Cancer begins peripheral portion of the gland, unlike benign prostatic hypertrophy of interest to the central area, périurétrale.

The diagnosis is focused on the examination of the biopsy or surgical specimen.

The seriousness of evolution is correlated with the microscopic appearance (Gleason score), the level of PSA and the spread of the disease.

Bilan extension

The spread of the disease when the disease must be determined in order to better tailor therapy. Therefore the presence of bone metastases, lung and liver, knowing that bone metastases are most frequent. We must look for lymph node metastases in the pelvis and the retrograde (around the abdominal aorta). it must finally try to clarify the extension of the tumor in the prostate, particularly whether the latter exceeds the prostate capsule or not.

The means of imaging used in routine generally low ability to show (ultrasound scan, MRI) or to precisely locate (scan) the original prostate lesions, owing to the low blood of breast cancer. MRI is the least bad review to determine the local extension.

MRI scanners or new generation (volume) are used to search the achievement of lymph nodes, but only nodes whose size is increased are detected. New products in contrast MRI, so-called "super-para-magnetic" could improve the detection of lymph nodes affected.

The positron emission tomography (PET camera, PET-scan) did not indicate however, because of very little or no hypermetabolism prostate cancer.

a blood test can check the status of kidney and liver functions.

Treatment

The age, overall health of humans as well as the extent of spread, appearance under the microscope and the response of cancer to initial treatment are important to predict the outcome of the disease.

As prostate cancer is a disease of elderly men, many will die for other reasons before the prostate cancer could spread or cause symptoms. This makes the difficult choice of treatment. Decide whether or not we treat localized cancer of the prostate (a tumor confined within the prostate) with intent to heal is that arbitration must be made between the positive and negative expected to point of view of patient survival and quality of life.

The treatment should be discussed on a case by case basis following the extension of cancer, the patient's general condition and related diseases. A simple monitoring may be recommended in the elderly or among holders of a very localized.

Medical treatment

Hormone

There is a correlation between the production of testosterone (male hormone) and the multiplication of cancer cells. A blocking or greatly reducing the production of this hormone can effectively curb the disease. Some drugs are administered as a subcutaneous injection every 3 months. Others are administered orally. Side effects are, however numerous, but rarely serious. The hormone, which was the treatment of advanced forms, or metastatic, saw its indications extended to the treatment of tumors rejected for surgery (because of the size of the tumor, the risk of surgery not complete ,...) and why the rate of relapse after radiotherapy remained important. The overall control of the disease, adding radiotherapy and hormone therapy for 3 years, can improve significantly the number of patients for whom the disease remains undetectable. The pulpectomy (testicular tissue ablation) is no longer used since the 90s.

Chemotherapy

Until the early 2000s, the use of cytotoxic chemotherapy in metastatic prostate cancer, and whose usual treatment hormonotherapy by becoming ineffective (tried in particular on increasing PSA despite repeated androgen suppression) 's has proved a failure. The advent of docetaxel (Taxotere °) amended the therapeutic possibilities, Entr'ouvert by mitoxantrone (Novantrone °) some years earlier. For the first time, a drug used in advanced stages of the disease, managed to improve survival and quality of life of patients. Three controlled studies confirm these results. Others are underway to integrate chemotherapy early in the history of the disease for locally advanced tumors, where organic growth but before the onset of metastases, and why not, immediately after surgery to treat possible micro-metastases.

Surgery

It is based on the prostatectomy, known as radical or total. It involves the removal of the prostate and seminal vesicles and may be preceded by a levy of lymph drainage of the prostate. The surgery can be done through open (surgical incision in the abdomen or at the perineum) or by abdominal Coelioscopy; surgery is reserved for cancer localized to the prostate and offers great chance of cure if the cancer is actually located and slightly or moderately aggressive (aggressiveness estimated by the Gleason score), and may lead to urinary incontinence, most often temporary and erectile dysfunction. Currently, there is no superiority of one technique over another with regard to cancer outcomes and results urinary and sexual function.

Coelioscopy

Coelioscopy prostatectomy was used by an American team which published it abandoned in 1997 after 8 cases as the intervention was difficult. It is the French teams that end 1997 and early 1998 took the torch and showed that this technique was feasible. Gaston de Bordeaux, and VALLANCIEN Guillonneau Paris and developed the technical standardization. VALLANCIEN and his team published the technique by transpéritonéale then through peritoneal under which seems simpler. It is now recognized worldwide. With an experience of almost 3,000 transactions, the surgical team Montsouris Institute in Paris has shown the benefits of prostatectomy Coelioscopy: we must retain the shorter hospital stay (5 days against 8 in average according to statistics PMSI 2004, the post operative pain near zero even lower, the rate of transfusion of about 2 to 3% against an average of 15% for open surgery. The strictures of the suture between the bladder and urethra canal are more rare (1.5%). The resumption of activity is fast after about a week.

Cryoablation

The prostate cancer tissue may be destroyed by local application of a very cold gas. The cryoprobe (most often cooled with liquid nitrogen) is introduced in endourétral until the prostate, the correct position of cryode can be verified by various techniques including endoscopy conducted by a pubic trocard addition, transvésical. A cycle of freezing and thawing will be implemented for a few minutes and repeated if necessary, a probe is placed urétrovésicale end technology and allow the evacuation progressive tissue nécrosés by applying the cold, some practicing Transurethral resection of tissue mortified by cryotherapy to accelerate the process. Another technique involves placing special needles through perineal ultrasound and under control.

More about Prostate Cancer: http://treatmentnews.blogspot.com.

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Why Carcinoma Lung Cancer Is the Leading Cause of Death in Lung Cancer Patients

Small Cell Carcinoma Lung Cancer

Small cell carcinoma is an aggressive disease starting in the patient's lungs which rapidly metastasizes if not diagnosed and treated. Along with combined small cell carcinoma, they are the leading causes of death in lung cancer patients. When symptoms are recognized and treated aggressively, the patient's chance of survival may improve.

Carcinoma Symptoms

Smokers and people exposed to secondhand smoke are advised by the 'National Cancer Institute' to watch for possible symptoms. These include persistent or bloody cough, constant shortness of breath, wheezing episodes and persistent chest pain. In addition to cigarette smoke, asbestos and radon also represent significant health threats. According to the Environmental Protection Agency's website, radon gas is the number two cause of this cancer. The greatest risk of exposure is in the home.

Having symptoms does not mean cancer is present. Symptoms are warning signs to at-risk and non-risk groups indicating the need for a doctor's visit. A growing carcinoma in the lungs also causes indirect symptoms such as general tiredness and weight loss due to loss of appetite.

Diagnostic Tests

A battery of tests will determine the presence of cancer in the lungs. Chest x-rays are one such method. The x-rays make a picture of the inside of the body which allows doctors to find any unusual growths. When x-rays are insufficient, a CT or PET scan makes pictures with greater detail. The CT scan show the chest, midsection, and the brain.

A PET scan follows injected glucose throughout the body. The scan highlights the glucose hungry cancer cells, pinpointing their location in the body. Other detection methods involve lung biopsies, biological analysis of lung sputum and viewing the lungs with bronchoscopy.

Current Treatments

The high mortality rate from carcinoma lung cancer is the target of current research. The disease is treated with chemotherapy, laser therapy and 'internal radiation therapy.' Cures are rare, and the 'National Cancer Institute' advises patients to participate in clinical trials to improve their chances of survival.

NCI advises that prevention of this disease requires changes in lifestyle and regular check-ups. Avoid smoking and exposure to other carcinogens, and if appropriate take medication to prevent the start of cancer.

I for one know there's a ton of lung cancer information scattered all around the web, and I know it can be somewhat depressing to go through much of it. I have compiled all that researched so it might benefit others. I put many months of research into a useful guide. There's no charge of course and I think you'll appreciate the simplicity of it. Its at MyLungCancerGuide.com. While you are there, you'll find this article about Carcinoma Lung Cancer and many other very straight forward, helpful articles.

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2012年2月28日星期二

Radiation Sickness

You really do not want to get sick from radiation exposure and that is why the supreme rule in dealing with radiation is to avoid exposure. You want to move as far away from the danger as possible and you surely do not want to eat radioactively-contaminated foods.

There is great individual variation in how people respond to radiation and the process is not fully understood.

If you are feeling sick from radiation exposures, be assured this is not a figment of your imagination. Radiation syndrome, radiation toxicity, radiation illness and/or radiation damage will make you and your children very ill possibly to the point of causing death in one of a number of different ways.

The New York Times says, "Experts hesitate to predict where the radiation will go. Once harmful radioactive elements are released into the outdoors, their travel patterns are as mercurial as the weather and as complicated as the food chains and biochemical pathways along which they move. When and where radioactive contamination becomes a problem depends on a vast array of factors: the specific element released, which way the wind is blowing, whether rain will bring suspended radioactivity to earth, and what types of crops and animals are in an exposed area. Research related to the 1986 Chernobyl accident makes clear that for decades, scientists will be able to detect the presence of radioactive particles released by the crippled Japanese reactors thousands of miles away."

The CDC tells us: The first symptoms of ARS are typically nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. These symptoms will start within minutes to days after the exposure, will last from minutes to up to several days, and may come and go. Then the person usually looks and feels healthy for a short time, after which he or she will become sick again with loss of appetite, fatigue, fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and possibly even seizures and coma. This stage of serious illness may last from a few hours to several months.

People with ARS typically also have some skin damage. This damage can start to show within a few hours after exposure and can include swelling, itching, and redness of the skin (like a bad sunburn). There can also be hair loss. As with the other symptoms, the skin may heal for a short time, followed by the return of swelling, itching, and redness days or weeks later. Complete healing of the skin may take from several weeks up to a few years depending on the radiation dose the person's skin received.

The chance of survival for people with ARS decreases with increasing radiation dose. Most people who do not recover from ARS will die within several months of exposure. The cause of death in most cases is the destruction of the person's bone marrow, which results in infections and internal bleeding. For the survivors, the recovery process may last from several weeks up to two years.

There are many types of radiation exposures we can be confronted with, such as X-ray exams that are seemingly harmless or cancer radiation therapy that may result in nausea, anemia, hemorrhaging and fibrosis. Getting CAT scans and PET scans involving the injection of radioactive dyes and other substances for medical diagnostic purposes results in exposure to very high levels of radiation. Even living at high altitudes or taking frequent airplane flights results in higher exposure to ionizing radiation.

Living near a nuclear power plant, a coal-burning plant or an old government radiation testing ground (such as in Nevada or New Mexico) exposes you higher than normal levels of radiation. If you've worked in uranium mining, uranium or plutonium processing or in weapons manufacturing, your contaminant exposure is definitely above normal and ill effects are not far behind. Plenty of Gulf War veterans have been exposed to "depleted uranium" military sources and believe strongly that their health problems are due to this exposure.

Working at a nuclear power plant, in a submarine, or with certain types of diagnostic medical equipment are all ways to become sick from radiation exposure even if there is not an accident.

"If you don't heal yourself of the effects of radiation exposure and if you don't bind radioactive particles and flush them out of your body if you've ingested them, then they'll just stay there and slowly work at destroying your health. Eventually you will succumb to unexplained symptoms of fatigue, lethargy, a weakened immune system, tumors, unexplained illnesses, anemia, excessive bleeding, genetic damage, cancer, leukemia, cataracts, or possibly having children with severe birth defects. You can develop all sorts of conditions that just don't seem to respond to medicine... and for which there doesn't seem to be any explanation," writes William Bodri.

If you have been exposed to radiation fallout you will know it through a change in your health status. If the levels are extraordinarily high then people all around you will be feeling and sharing similar changes and discomforts including:

Nausea and vomiting
Diarrhea
Skin burns (skin reddening)
Weakness
Lethargy and fatigue
Loss of appetite (anorexia)
Fainting
Dehydration
Inflammation of tissues (swelling, redness or tenderness)
Hemorrhages under the skin
Bleeding from your nose, gums or mouth
Anemia (low red blood cell count)
Hair loss (usually from just the scalp)
Decrease in platelets

Nausea and vomiting are typically the earliest symptoms of radiation sickness. The higher the dose of radiation, the sooner these symptoms appear-and the worse the prognosis. Someone who starts to vomit within one hour of exposure is likely to die.

Sometimes people with radiation sickness feel bad at first and then start to feel better. But often new and more serious symptoms appear within hours, days, or even a few weeks of this "latent" stage.

What you need to get out of this book right away is the basic items you will need to stockpile in your dispensary, along with the protocol for use of these items. This book covers a lot of ground, yet few people will, for a number of reasons, not even bother to acquire all the essentials for an almost perfect protocol that is very effective, safe and devoid of dangerous pharmaceutical substances. You will find an old chapter of mine in this book, "The Science of the Pure," that explains the importance of the purity of substances we take into our bodies. When dealing with things as impure as plutonium and all the radioactive particles, we need pure substances like clay, magnesium chloride and sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) to help us confront an adversary of nuclear proportion. Now is the time to take out your best, purest water because it too will make a big difference as to how your body will navigate its way through toxicity.

You are going to want to learn the secrets of what I call "Natural Allopathic Medicine" in order to protect yourself and your loved ones from unexpected exposure to radiation. The heart of the protocol employs the use of heavyweight medicines used in emergency rooms.

Radiation sickness can cause bleeding from the nose, mouth, gums, and rectum. It can cause people to bruise easily and to bleed internally as well-and even to vomit blood. The problems occur because radiation depletes the body of platelets, the cellular fragments in the blood that are form clots to control bleeding.

So behind the mighty mallet of Arm & Hammer baking soda we bring in some other superhero emergency room medicines like magnesium chloride, iodine and vitamin C. We quickly assemble a nutritional arsenal of superfoods and super-concentrated naturally made medicinals like an omega-3s, spirulina- and chlorella-based nutritional food formulas, get some heavy metal natural chelator products, and pump in glutathione through a number of different avenues.

Dealing with radiation or heavy metal poisoning is tricky to say the least. Some people can manage massive amounts of it with no ill effects, others can't. The severity of symptoms and illness (acute radiation sickness) depends on the type and amount of radiation, how long you were exposed, and which part of the body was exposed. Symptoms of radiation sickness may occur immediately after exposure, or over the next few days, weeks, or months. Not everyone is going to die or even get sick from a given level of exposure.

Because it is difficult to determine the amount of radiation exposure from nuclear accidents, the best measure of the severity of the exposure are: the length of time between the exposure and the onset of symptoms, the severity of symptoms, and severity of changes in white blood cells. If a person vomits less than an hour after being exposed, that usually means the radiation dose received is very high and death may be expected.

Radiation "targets" cells in the body that reproduce rapidly-and that includes cells that line the intestinal tract. Radiation sickness causes major irritation of the intestinal lining, resulting in severe and sometimes bloody diarrhea.

Radiation can travel quickly in air currents. Students from the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, NY measured radiation fallout in New York during atomic bomb testing over Nevada desert (2,300 miles away). Just a few hours after the explosion the students reported that the average radiation readings in nearby towns were 20-100 times higher. Radiation fallout travels quickly and is therefore dangerous.

A spokesman for the Geneva-based U.N. health agency said contaminated food poses a greater long-term risk to residents' health than radioactive particles in the air, which disperse within days. It was the strongest statement yet from the world body on radiation risks to ordinary people rather than nuclear workers. "They're going to have to make some decisions quickly in Japan to shut down and completely stop food from being used from zones they feel might be affected," Gregory Hartl told the Associated Press. "Repeated consumption of certain products is going to intensify risks, as opposed to radiation in the air that happens once and then the first time it rains there's no longer radiation in the air. A week ago we were more concerned about the radiation leakages and possible explosion of the nuclear facility itself, but now other issues are getting more attention including the food safety issue."

The initial symptoms reported by the Japanese and (later by American) observers were the loss of hair from the scalp, bleeding into the skin, inflammation of the mouth and throat, vomiting, diarrhea and fever.

Nausea and vomiting that appeared within a few hours after the explosion were frequently noted and while the vomiting usually subsided by the following morning, occasionally it continued for 2-3 more days. Diarrhea of varying degrees of severity was also observed and in severe cases, it was frequently bloody.

Radiation sickness can cause people to feel weak and out of sorts-almost like having a bad version of the flu. It can dramatically reduce the number of red blood cells, causing anemia and increased risk of fainting.

There were also observations of lesions of the gums, the oral mucous membrane, and the throat-these areas usually became deep red in color and in many instances began ulcerating and dying (necrosis) as the tissues began to break down. Leucopenia (low-white-blood-cell counts) were found on blood testing with extreme cases falling below 1,000 (normal levels are around 7,000).

The syndromes of acute radiation illness can be divided into three categories based on the amount of radiation dosage in total. The gray (symbol: Gy) is the SI unit of absorbed radiation dose of ionizing radiation and is defined as the absorption of one joule of ionizing radiation by one kilogram of matter (usually human tissue).

It is interesting to note that in radiation therapy, the amount of radiation varies depending on the type and stage of cancer being treated. For curative cases, the typical dose for a solid epithelial tumor ranges from 60 to 80 Gy, while lymphomas are treated with 20-40 Gy. Preventive (adjuvant) doses are typically around 45-60 Gy in 1.8-2 Gy fractions (for breast, head, and neck cancers).

Along with red cells, radiation sickness can reduce the risk of infection-fighting white cells in the body. As a result, the risk of bacterial, viral, and fungal infections is heightened.

The average radiation dose from an abdominal X-ray is 1.4 mGy, that from an abdominal CT scan is 8.0 mGy, that from a pelvic CT scan is 25 mGy, and that from a selective CT scan of the abdomen and the pelvis is 30 mGy.

It is again interesting to note that an abdominal and pelvic CT scan can cause symptoms similar to the category of cerebrovascular syndrome, even though this radiation exposure is supposed to be therapeutic.

The three categories are as follows:

* The cerebrovascular (brain) syndrome - This is when the total dose of radiation is extremely high, exceeding 20-30 Gy. A person with cerebrovascular (brain) syndrome rapidly develops confusion, nausea, vomiting, bloody diarrhea, and shock. Within hours their blood pressure falls due to heart and circulatory damage, accompanied by the inability to coordinate gait, seizures and coma. Patients often die within hours (usually within the first two days) after severe radiation exposure. In particular, the cerebrovascular syndrome has 3 phases: the first period of nausea and vomiting; then listlessness, drowsiness, apathy and confusion; and finally, tremors, convulsions, seizures, coma, with death usually within a few hours. Since the cerebrovascular syndrome is always fatal, treatment is geared toward providing comfort by relieving pain, anxiety, and breathing difficulties.

* The gastrointestinal syndrome occurs when the radiation dose is smaller but still high, and is due to the effects of radiation on the cells lining the digestive tract. Doses in the 10-20 Gy range affect the intestines, stripping their lining and leading to death within three months due to causes of vomiting, diarrhea, starvation, and infection.

Victims receiving 6-10 Gy all at once usually escape an intestinal death, but instead face bone marrow failure and death within two months from loss of blood coagulation factors and the protection against infection provided by white blood cells. The symptoms of people suffering from gastrointestinal syndrome include nausea, vomiting and diarrhea that can lead to severe dehydration, diminished blood plasma volume and vascular collapse that can result in death within 3-10 days. Severe nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea begin 2-12 hours after exposure to 4 Gy or more of radiation and the symptoms may lead to severe dehydration, but they usually resolve themselves after two days. After this period of feeling well, severe diarrhea (often bloody) returns, once more producing a state of dehydration.

As the intestines deteriorate, the bacteria inhabiting the digestive tract start to invade the rest of the body producing severe infections.People with the gastrointestinal syndrome require intravenous fluids and sedatives. They need to be kept isolated so that they do not contact infectious microorganisms. Oral antibiotics, such as neomycin, are given to kill intestinal bacteria that may invade the body and antifungal and antiviral drugs are also given intravenously when necessary. Radiation sickness can cause visible ulcers in or on the mouth. In addition, ulcers often form in the esophagus, stomach, and intestines.

* The hematopoietic syndromeis caused by the effects of radiation on the bone marrow, spleen, and lymph nodes, which are the primary sites of blood cell production (hematopoiesis). The hematopoietic syndrome is characterized by loss of appetite, apathy, lethargy, nausea and vomiting that usually begin 2-12 hours after exposure to 2 Gy or more of radiation and may be maximal within 6-12 hours from this yet smaller radiation exposure. The symptoms typically subside completely within 24-36 hours after the exposure, and the person typically feels well for a week or more.

However, during this symptom-free period the lymph nodes, spleen and bone marrow begin to waste away leading to a severe shortage of white blood cells, which are the body's main defense against infection, followed by a shortage of platelets and then red blood cells. This is the critical point where the person needs to be supported nutritionally to build blood cells and increase immunity, otherwise many hematopoietic patients die within 30-60 days after exposure.

Once again, the early symptoms of ARS typically involve nausea, vomiting, headache and diarrhea which will start within minutes to days after the exposure, last for minutes up to several days, and may come and go. The person will usually look and feel healthy for a short time-mistakenly thinking they are all well-after which they will become sick again with loss of appetite, fatigue, fever, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and possibly even seizures and coma. This seriously ill stage may last from a few hours up to several months.

Areas of skin exposed to radiation may turn blister and turn red-almost like severe sunburn. In some cases open sores form. The skin may even slough off.

For all the references, sources and more articles on radiation and chemical toxicity please visit Dr. Mark Sircus blog.

About the author:
Mark A. Sircus, Ac., OMD, DM (P), is director of the International Medical Veritas Association (IMVA) http://www.imva.info/.

Dr. Sircus was trained in acupuncture and oriental medicine at the Institute of Traditional Medicine in Sante Fe, N.M., and at the School of Traditional Medicine of New England in Boston. He served at the Central Public Hospital of Pochutla in Mexico, and was awarded the title of doctor of oriental medicine for his work. He was one of the first nationally certified acupuncturists in the United States. Dr. Sircus's IMVA is dedicated to unifying the various disciplines in medicine with the goal of creating a new dawn in healthcare.

He is particularly concerned about the effect vaccinations have on vulnerable infants and is identifying the common thread of many toxic agents that are dramatically threatening present and future generations of children. His book, The Terror of Pediatric Medicine, is a free e-book offered on his web site. Humane Pediatrics will be an e-book available early in 2011 and then quickly as possible put into print.

Dr. Sircus is a most prolific and courageous writer and one can read through hundreds of pages on his various web sites.

He has recently released a number of e-books including Winning the War Against Cancer, Survival Medicine for the 21st Century, Sodium Bicarbonate, Rich Man's Poor Man's Cancer Treatment, New Paradigms in Diabetic Care and Bringing Back the Universal Medicine: IODINE.

Dr. Sircus is a pioneer in the area of natural detoxification and chelation of toxic chemicals and heavy metals. He is also a champion of the medicinal value of minerals and seawater.

Transdermal Magnesium Therapy, his first published work.

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Increase Your Chances to Be a Survivor

I am a Prostate Cancer survivor and I'd like to guide you through some steps in dealing with this disease in a positive intelligent way.

I'll start with the items most important to becoming a cancer survivor.

1. DO NOT rush to make a treatment decision. Take your time & get a second or even third opinion. Johns Hopkins indeciates that Prostate Cancer is slow growing and affords you the time to make the best decision for YOU.

2.Maintain a positive attitude without which your body will not maintain peak performance in helping you to resist or eliminate the cancer growth.

3.Find an oncologist that will listen (really listen) to you and your concerns and respond to those concerns. One that does not hurry you out of his/her office and one that you really feel comfortable with.You are going to be close to that Doctor for a long time.

4. Make sure your Doctor is part of a qualified group so there is always coverage when you need it-even on weekends at at night.

5.Find a friendly, supportive office where Doctors,Nurses, Technicians and Administrators make you feel welcome and it ceases to be a frightening experience to go for a follow up examination or for treatment.

6.Make sure your Doctors and office are qualified-check with other Doctors and patients for recommendations.

7.If you are concerned or disagree with the direction your Doctor is taking with you treatment-GET A SECOND OPINION.

8.You are,under law,entitled to all of your test results, and you should from day one maintain your own file of all reports (PSA, CAT Scans, PET Scans, Blood tests,Body Scans, Surgery, etc) Maitain the file in chronological order. It is important for you to understand your disease and have a complete record of data for the following reasons:

A.Changing Doctors

B.Adding a new Doctor to the team from another specialty.

C.Need information upon entering a hospital

D.Keeping track of your own disease.

9.Very early in your efforts to make a decision about how to fight your disease you MUST get your significant other (Wife, Girl friend,etc) involved.Surgery, Radiation, Hormone treatment, etc will affect your sex life and you should, together, make a treatment decision that can and will affect both of you.

I will share my story so that you can see that I've made many mistakes which I would like to help you avoid. I'm not a Doctor, but I am a Prostate Cancer Survivor.

When I was told that my PSA numbers, as a result of my annual physical, were elevated I was not really concerned. However after the mandated biopsy of my prostate indicated Cancer, I became very concerned.

My internist recommended that I see a Urologist who described what Prostate Cancer was all about and the treatment methods that were available at that time (1990). He described Radical Prostatectomy, seed radiation, external radiation, hormone treatment, etc.

The two preferred and tested methods of treatment were the radical prostatectomy and external radiation. After checking with the American Cancer Society I got their assurance that if at all possible, the gold standard was the radical prostatectomy.

To say I was frightened would be an understatement. I still remember the night that I dreamt that I was in a coffin and my family and friends were seeing me off.

I spent a great deal of time looking into surgery verses radiation. the side effects on both were not pleasant. Both offered the major problems of incontnence and inability to get or maintain an erection. In addition radiation could burn the rectum and bowel. This was prior to the fitted casts used today to precisely direct the radiation beams to exactly the right area.

After extensive consideration I chose the Radical prostatectomy to be done at NYU Medical Center in New York City, because it was a teaching hospital and they followed Johns Hopkin's Patrick Walsh's nerve sparing surgical techniques.The head of Surgery said I made the right choise, because he could guarantee success.

I had surgery and for 2 years my PSA was at zero. At the beginning of the 3rd year my PSA rose to.019. I asked the surgeon what that meant- He said your cancer is back. He suggested I go for radiation.

It appears that my Cancer had been on the border of the prostate and had moved outside the prostate envelope.Had I known then, that all reports were available to me, I might have chosen a different treatment option.

I went to 3 local radiation centers to discuss the surgeon's advise-it appeared to me that the risks (discussed above) could be greated than the rewards.

I chose instead to go to a Naturalist Doctor who used vitamins, vitamin C drips and supplements to fight cancer. I chose a highly recommended Doctor, in Westchester,NY.

I went to this Doctor for 3 years. My PSA was slowly rising but not dramatically. I was on some 60 pills daily and a vitamin C drip once a week.While the Doctor (he was a licensed physician) added more & more pills to my program, my costs were rising and mostly not covered by my health insurance. I spent an average of $500 per month for vitamins and supplements.

In the late 1990's I had twisted intestine surgery. The surgeon casually discussed my situation and he strongly suggested that I combine my Eastern Medcine concepts with Western Medicine. He recommended an Oncologist that would welcome discussing the best of both approaches.

The Doctor I chose is a reasonable, intelligent and knowledgeable Oncologist. We discuss treatment options and jointly agree on the right approach for me. As an example,when I first joined him, he suggested hormone treatments to bring down my PSA numbers. After discussing the benefits/drawbacks we agreed to avoid hormone treatment as long as possible.

I go every six weeks for a PSA test and CAT or PET scan every six months. My Doctor feels, although

my PSA number has been rising (now at 23) he is not going to treat the number, since all the scans are clean

I feel well and can function fully. Essentially I have a chronic but not life threating disease that requires no more attention than High Blood Pressure or Diabetes.

I am a Prostate Cancer survivor and I've learned each of my lesson's by trial and error.If my information is helpful to someone to suffer less and have success in battling Prostate Cancer it would truly be satisfying.
My advise, beyond having an upbeat positive attitude, is to learn as much as you can about your disease through use of the internet and organizations dedicated to fighting Cancer.

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Tests Used to Diagnose Lung Cancer

Evidence of lung cancer (LC) is often detected during a routine examination or while the doctor is taking x-rays to assess another condition. At that point, the disease is merely a suspicion. It must be diagnosed before a treatment path can be designed.

There are several methods used to diagnose lung cancer and determine whether it poses an immediate danger (i.e. whether it is malignant). In this article, we'll provide a brief overview of the most common tests used by pulmonologists and other doctors.

Lab Tests

Blood and urine tests are ordered to check for the presence of tumor markers. These are compounds released by cancerous tissue that can be found in blood and bodily fluids. The markers can only be used to form a tentative diagnosis of LC since they occasionally show up on test results when cancerous cells do not exist.

X-Rays Of The Chest

Chest x-rays display the lungs and other structures, and can show abnormal masses. They are useful in providing a quick and reasonably accurate view of the patient's lungs. However, like tumor markers in blood and urine, x-rays are fallible. They can display masses that are due to factors other than tumors.

Ultrasound

Ultrasonography uses sound waves that bounce among the patient's organs, veins, and tissues. These sound waves produce an echo that is used by a computer to construct an image of the chest and lungs. This image can display abnormal masses that are likely to be tumors.

Computerized Tomography (CT) Scan

If chest x-rays, lab tests, and ultrasound produce a tentative diagnosis, the next test is a CT scan. This is usually done with a helical scanner that rotates around the body and generates a 3D image of the chest. While it is more accurate than the preceding tests, it is rarely conclusive.

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Scan

During a PET scan, a doctor will inject a radioactive substance into the patient's body. This material can be tracked with a special camera that produces 3D images. The images display chemical activity taking place within the body. Areas with substantial activity suggest the presence of cancerous tumors.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)

This is a test that uses radio waves and a magnet connected to a computer to construct accurate images of the target site (in this case, the lungs). Doctors can use these images to distinguish between tissue that is healthy and tissue that is diseased.

An MRI produces images that are more accurate than those produced by a CT scan. However, it is generally more expensive and requires more time.

Bronchoscopy

During a bronchoscopy, the doctor will insert a bronchoscope - a thin, flexible tube - down the patient's main airways. This may be done through the mouth or nose. A small camera is fitted on the instrument to allow the doctor to inspect the airways and surrounding area. The purpose of this procedure is to retrieve a portion of an identified tumor for further examination.

Biopsy

A biopsy is usually necessary to form a firm diagnosis. This procedure is done to retrieve a tissue sample using a needle, an endoscope, or surgery. When using a needle, the doctor will insert it directly into the patient's chest. The extracted tissue sample is then sent to a pathologist for further testing. If the affected tissue cannot be reached with a needle, minor surgery is performed to access the lungs through small chest incisions.

Unless a physician is relatively certain that lung cancer exists, testing rarely begins with a biopsy or bronchoscopy. Instead, a preliminary diagnosis is formed before more accurate - and expensive - tests are ordered. There is an urgency to the testing, however, since the earlier a conclusive diagnosis can be made, the better the chances it can be treated successfully.

Find the right doctor for lung cancer surgery or Check out Health Facts. Early diagnosis can lead to successful results.

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2012年2月27日星期一

Stages and Procedures Regarding AIDS-related Lymphoma

AIDS-related lymphoma can be diagnosed by performing a serie of tests known as staging too. Much more, by doing these tests the patient can find out if cancer cells have spread within the body, affecting other organs as well. It is important to know that the tests may easily confirm the stage of the disease and in this way the physician can prescriebe the appropriate treatment. Moreover, AIDS-related lymphoma is usually diagnosed when the illness is already advanced.

To begin with, a first common procedure to find malignant tumor cells in the body is called PET scan (positron emission tomography scan). Firstly, this procedure involves the injection of radionuclide glucose into the vein in order to show in a picture made by the PET scanner where the glucose is being used in the body. So, by scanning the body, the malign tumor cells become brighter because they are more active and take up more sugar than other healthy cells.

Secondly, another well known procedure is CT scan also called computed tomography or computerisez axial tomography. CT scan is a procedure that makes a serie of pictures of the areas inside the body, showing a clear image of the organs and tissues. Moreover, a common procedure is Bone marrow biopsy which includes the removing of a small piece of bone marrow and bone from the hipbone or breatsbone in order to be examined under a microscope.

Furthermore, stages of AIDS-related lymphoma may include E which means that the cancer is found in an area or organ other than the lymph nodes or has spread to tissues beyond and S stands for spleen and means the cancer affected the spleen. In addition to this there are 4 stages which are used for AIDS-related that indicate the place where the cancer can be found, lymph nodes, organs other than the lymph nodes, near the diaphragm or spleen.

It is considered that people who suffer from Epstein-Barr virus or whose AIDS-related lymphona usually affects the bone marrow and in some cases may lead to complications, such as the spreading of cancer to the central nervous system.(CNS). Much more, CNS lymphoma which starts in other parts of the body is not considered primary as the CNS lymphoma that starts in the brain and spinal cord.

So, if you want to find out more about symptoms of lymphoma or even about lymphoma cancer please visit this link http://www.lymphoma-center.com/

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Dogs - Faithful To The End

The love of dogs comes naturally for many people; it is seldom acquired. As man's best friend, dogs should and do hold a very high place in the affections of dog-lovers. The companionship between dog and man dates from the very earliest ages, so it can be assumed that it was one of nature's intentions. It has been said that not all humans understand dogs, but it is rare to find a dog that does not understand humans.

It is beyond comprehension how anyone can mistreat an animal, or even how anyone can dislike them. Just looking into a dog's face, we can see its emotions. Many years ago, it was quoted in an article about dogs, "no one can study dogs without seeing our own aboriginal emotions clearly written in their faces. Love, hate, rage, jealousy, irritability, sulkiness, shyness, shame, guilt, are all there, just as with humans."

There is little doubt that dogs are endowed with something more than instinct. Dogs have intuitive ideas of right and wrong. They can become perfectly miserable when they have done something to offend their owner. They stay in a state of anxiety until forgiven, and then they are happy again... wagging their tails, which have been motionless during their disgrace.

Dogs inherently have great respect for power, and take full advantage of love. If the dog owner doesn't have the heart for discipline and training, the dog can become willful and disobedient. Training is a necessity. Well-trained dogs tend to be more companionable than those who are only petted and never educated.

Dogs can become very spoiled. If allowed, they will always take the most comfortable place on a sofa or chair, and if permitted to sleep on the bed, they prefer the very middle. However, their good qualities always outshine their bad, for where can anyone find more trusting and sympathizing companions? They are faithful to their owners until death.

How they fret and pine in their loved one's absence, and in illness, often they cannot be persuaded to leave the room. They will even go without food to remain near, and will lie very quietly. They seem to understand a great deal of everything that goes on, and at times, they even seem to know what is being said. They have a way of communicating to one another what they have heard.

Dogs are incredible creatures, and they more than repay all love and attention bestowed upon them.

With eye upraised his master's looks to scan, the joy, the solace, and the aid of man. The rich man's guardian and the poor man's friend, the only creature faithful to the end. --George Crabbe.

Ruth Lanham, Author and Blogger

Ruth Lanham authors three blogs and writes on various topics related to Christianity, nostalgia and dogs. For more information or to contact Ruth please visit her blog.

http://www.about-the-dog.blogspot.com
http://www.retro-reflections.blogspot.com

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2012年2月26日星期日

Position of Nuclear Medicine Modalities in the Diagnostic Workup of Cancer Patients: Lung Cancer - 2

DIFFERENTIATION OF LUNG MASSES WITH 99MTC DEPREOTIDE

The majority of malignant lung tumor cells Express receptors for somatostatin. Therefore, somatostatin receptor scintigraphy has been used for the detection and staging of lung cancer.99mTc depreotide, which binds to the somatostatin receptor subtypes 2, 3 and 5, has been used for the differentiation of indeterminate lung nodules. Blum et al. reported the results of a multicenter trial in 114 patients,revealing a sensitivity of 97% (85/88 malignant lesions found) and a specificity of 73% (19/26 benign lesions correctly classified), respectively. The radiopharmaceutical is approved for the use in lung nodules with high probability of malignancy in Europe and the United States. To our knowledge, comparative studies between 99mTc depreotide and FDG-PET have not been published in peer reviewed journals. The use of 99mTc depreotide can be recommended for institutions without access to FDG-PET and in cases with increased risk at surgery. With a negative predictive value of 86% (19/22), the probability of missing a potentially curable lung cancer is 14%. This risk must be compared to the individual chance of a fatal complication during surgery.

SKELETAL SCINTIGRAPHY

The detection of metastatic bone disease by skeletal scintigraphy is a classical application of nuclear medicine in cancer patients. Osteoblastic activity isinduced by the majority of bone metastases and it can be visualized by osteotropic tracers with a higher sensitivity than conventional radiographic imaging which requires a minimum size of 1 cm and a focal increase of 30% or a loss of at least 50% of the bone mineral to detect sclerotic or lytic lesions, respectively. 99mTc-labeled phosphonates are the preferred tracers for bone scintigraphy which is indicated in patients with bone pain, elevated serum calcium or elevated alkaline phosphatase levels.2, 3 The sensitivity for the detection of bone metastases is at least 90%, but the specificity ranges only between 40% and 90%.8 If the bone scan is positive, frequently further examinations are necessary. The high negative predictive value of 90% is sufficient, however, to exclude bone metastases. Skeletal scintigraphy has the potential to detect an osseous infiltration as well as bone metastases.

ESTIMATION OF POSTOPERATIVE LUNG FUNCTION

Quantitative lung perfusion scintigraphy is a Standard procedure for the estimation of the loss in function after lung resection (functional resectability) or irradiation.The residual lung volume is predicted as a relative value from the percentage loss of the relative radioactivity in the lung segments (or lobes) intended for resection or irradiation.

PREDICTION OF RESPONSE TO CHEMOTHERAPY

Chemotherapy plays an important role in advanced or unresectable lung cancer.In multidrug resistance of lung cancer, the P-glycoprotein (Pgp), encoded by the multidrug resistance gene MDR1, is a keyfactor.Pgp, an energy-dependent efflux pump, prevents the accumulation of some chemotherapeutic agents such as doxorubicine, paclitaxel, and the vinca-alkaloids and therefore reduces the response rate. Certain cationic lipophilic radiopharmaceuticals, such as 99mTc-ethoxyisobutylisonitrile (99mTc-MIBI), are also a substrate of Pgp so that the scintigraphic retention of 99mTc-MIBI can be used as a non-invasive imaging test for Pgp assessment. The ability of quantitative 99mTc MIBI scintigraphy to predict chemosensitivity has been under investigation in the last years. Ceriani et al.reported a sensitivity of 83% and a specificity of 84% in predicting the response to chemotherapy of lung cancer. Similar results were reproduced by other groups.For defining the final role of 99mTc MIBI SPECT in the management of lung cancer patients, further studies are needed; however, it is difficult to design such studies since there are no definite recommendations of cytostatic substances to be used in advanced lung cancer.

Positron emission tomography

The increased importance of FDG-PET in the workup of lung cancer patients is related to several propitious factors which justify its use in oncology, even if it is an expensive imaging modality.Today, the instrumentation is quite sophisticated resulting in high resolution images (6 mm or less in clinical applications). The imaging principle employs attenuation correction and compensation for scatter allowing quantitative measurements. The metabolic tracer, 2-F-18-fluoro-2- deoxy-D-glucose (F-18 FDG), a glucose analogue, is most frequently used because of the high glucose consumption of most lung tumors. However, increased glucose metabolism is not completely specific for a malignant lesion but is also detectable in acute inflammatory reactions and other benign conditions. Nevertheless, by metabolic characterization of tissues, FDG-PET has the ability to overcome several limitations of morphological imaging modalities like CT and MRI. FDG has been approved in Europe for the differential diagnosis of pulmonary nodules and masses, for the staging of non-small cell lung cancer, for the detection of metastases of lung cancer, and for the detection of recurrent lung cancer. This corresponds to the broad spectrum of indications for FDG-PET in lung cancer.

PET SCANNING TECHNIQUE

Performing whole-body PET with high diligence is very important for achieving a high diagnostic sensitivity (and specificity). Optimal patient preparation must be strictly followed (Table VII), as should be a sufficient waiting period 25, 26 before image acquisition due to FDG blood clearance, especially in the mediastinum and lung. Attenuation correction is necessary for the detection of small mediastinal lymph node metastases, as is iterative reconstruction when there is intense uptake in primary tumors or the myocardium, to avoid reconstruction artefacts and to detect lymph node metastases near the primary tumor. Semiquantitative measurement of the FDG uptake as standard uptake value (SUV) should be performed routinely in all or in the most relevant tumor lesions. Because PET images contain limited anatomical information, a chest CT should always be available for accurate localization. Optimal information is obtained by anatometabolic image fusion of PET (metabolism) and CT (anatomy). It can be foreseen that anatometabolic image fusion (obtained by software within a PACS ?or using PET/CT) will be incorporated as a routine method in lung cancer staging in the future. Whether gamma camera coincidence imaging will be able to achieve the high sensitivity obtained by dedicated PET scanners remains an open question. Early results show a markedly lower sensitivity for coincidence cameras (55% of that of "dedicated" PET).

Pulmonary tumor lesions were detected most successfully (13 out of 14, i.e. 93%), but only 65% of mediastinal lymph node metastases were diagnosed. Technological advancements such as attenuation correction will surely improve this technique in the future.28 Other PET radiopharmaceuticals such as positronlabeled proliferation markers like L-thymidine (FLTPET), antibodies (Immuno-PET), receptor ligands (Receptor-PET), amino acids (e.g., C-11 methionine or 2-O-fluoro-ethyl-tyrosine [FET-PET]) and other tracers have only been used in a small number of patients and do not play a role in routine clinical practice up to now.

Cevdet LIMAN
Lung cancer practice guidelines-EANM oncology committee
Position of Nuclear Medicine techniques in the diagnostic work-up

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Dog Hot Spots and Skin Rashes

Your pet can not tell you that an area is irritated and itchy. A hot spot is a skin rash. It can be a small red irritated sore or an open oozing wound. Most dog owners do not realize their pet is struggling with a skin problem till it becomes a major issue. Don't wait for excessive licking, itching or a sore spot to begin. You can stop skin issues in their tracks if you simply check your dog over once a week looking for anything different. Learn how to do the once a week pet scan and how to prevent problems.

Is your dog casually scratching an area or is your dog aggressively scratching a certain spot like something is biting them? Is it to the point your canine can't stop licking or itching a specific area? If your dog is going after the same spot in a similar fashion that you would try to swat biting mosquitoes, then that spot could become a hot spot. A hot spot is an irritated area that bacteria, fleas or mites have set up camp. It is an itchy patch that makes your canine uncomfortable. It can become an open sore.

A skin irritation can start from a collar or harness rubbing. Look for burrs and other debris that became trapped or entangled that caused the skin irritation. Dog jackets can trap dirt and help bacteria grow, wash them as needed.

If your dog's hair becomes matted it becomes a perfect place to hold moisture and harbor bacteria. Keep your pet free of mats by keeping the coat short or keep up with the required grooming for your pet's breed.

Over bathing with harsh shampoos dries out the natural oils and can cause skin issues. Have you ever had itchy skin due to hard water? Most dog shampoos are to be used only once a month. Use dove or ivory bar soap followed by any conditioner if you want or need to bath your dog more than once a month. Why use bar soap instead of liquid soap? Dove and Ivory bar soaps do not have sodium lauryl sulfate (garage floor degreaser) in the ingredients list.

The healthier your dog is the less likely it is to have issues. Hot spots can be a sign of a diet that is high in sugar, foods with fillers (corn or soy), preservatives (msg) and foods that cause allergies (wheat). Hot spots can be a reaction to a vaccine. It can also be a reaction to parasites, fleas and mites. What a hot spot is telling you is that there is a problem that needs to be addressed. You need to investigate to solve the real issue. Find the source to correct the problem.

First learn to read the ingredients of all the products you use and to identify the good from the bad. If you don't know what an ingredient is you can put it in the search bar of your browser and the internet will tell you what it is. Try not to overwhelm your dog's immune system by giving many different types of drugs/vaccines all at once. Give vaccines, topical flea and tick repellants, and heartworm in stages not all the same day. Let your dog's body recover from one type of chemical for at least 3 days before adding another drug.

If you discover a hot spot, cut the hair away from the area. You want to expose the sore to air. Gently clean the spot with weak solution of hydrogen peroxide mixed with water. To make a 3% H2O2, mix 1 oz. of hydrogen peroxide to 11 oz. distilled water (preferably) or filtered water and store it in refrigerator after each use. Most vets would recommend using a medicated shampoo. Apply a few drops of tea tree oil to relieve itching and to heal. The tea tree oil is not poisonous. Your dog can not lick the medication if it's wearing a cone. There are many other natural products available to use. You may treat with a topical analgesic if the case is mild.

Topical pain-relieving drugs are applied to the affected area as a cream, ointment, gel, or spray. They help reduce inflammation below the skin surface and alleviate nerve pain that makes your canine want to itch. They can be purchased as over-the-counter while other stronger forms are available with a vet's prescription. Treat the area with prednisone if the hot spot is severe.

If the source of the hot spot is fleas or mites you will need to use a dip, wash all the bedding, toys or flea bomb your home and repeat the process in 2 weeks to stop the cycle.

Ask yourself the following questions to discover the under lying causes that created the hot spot. When did the problem start? How long has it been going on? Was the problem after receiving vaccinations? Did it occur after surgery? Did it show up after going to the groomers, vet office or boarding kennel? Does your pet have fleas, mites or other parasites? If you can't find the source it is usually mites. Is it a weak immune system due to a poor grade diet or too many low quality treats? Has the licking and scratching gone on for a great length of time and now become a habit?

Learn more about how to heal with Eastern Medicine, it shows you how to correct your dog's body naturally. Choose drugs to get the problem under control if the natural remedies do not show sign of improvement in a day or two. Then give your dog's body what it needs to stay healthy.

DISCLAIMER

The author offers information and opinions, not as a substitute for professional medical prevention, diagnosis, or treatment. It is advised to consult with your vet before taking any home remedies or supplements or following any treatment suggested by anyone. Your vet can provide you with advice on what is considered safe and effective for your animal's unique needs or diagnose your animal's particular medical history.

Ardy Livermore is a Minnesota breeder of bichons, shih tzus and poodles (toy, tiny and teacup). She uses the healthier method of the grate/crate kenneling instead of the traditional kenneling. With the grate there is no need to use puppy pads or newspapers. View video on the advantages of using grate/crate method at http://www.ardyweb.com. Ardy teaches the alpha method of dog training and shows you how to have a well behaved dog. Ardy shows you how to keep your pet healthy as naturally as possible. Ardy's website has videos to show you easy methods to care for you pooch. Ardy has written several articles to help you know what to look for when purchasing a dog and they are posted on her website. Ardy is the author of Ardy's Professional Tips for Companion Dogs. The eBook shows you how to detect and avoid health issues. Her eBook is full of great information and designed to save time, effort and money. You can sign up for FREE TIPS to learn more about the secrets of training and health care for your canine. The eBook can be brought at her website. To view more articles written by Ardy Livermore http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Ardy_Livermore.

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The Benefits of Hired Air Con at Critical Purpose Medical Rooms

Critical purpose medical rooms in UK hospitals, in addition to other health, diagnostic and treatment centres can house highly sensitive apparatus. Equipment such as CT, MRI and PET scanners need to be kept at specific temperatures.

Conditions must be precisely controlled to enable technology to operate reliably and to maximise 'up time' (i.e. to treat as many patients as possible). In such environments, time really is of the essence; hospitals today are beholden to their waiting lists, so any delay to diagnoses and treatments is to be avoided as far as possible.

Any Fixed Air Con System Can Suddenly Fail

The extra heat load the aforementioned equipment creates can be considerable, particularly as most medical rooms are not open environments and so would not have windows or traditional ventilation. At the vast majority of hospitals the fixed air con system is specifically designed to deal with the extra heat emitted by equipment. That said, any built-in air con system can develop a fault or completely breakdown. This is where the option to quickly hire air con units is essential.

More About the Scanners

CT Scanners

Computer tomography machines are used to generate CT scans (also known as CAT scans and computerised tomography scans). The machines are large and ring-shaped, with a hole in the middle to accommodate the patient. Within each scanner there is an X-ray machine that rotates as the patient passes through, whilst they are lying horizontal on a bed. The scanner generates images that are sent to a computer for analysis.

Medical professionals use CT scanners daily to help with the diagnosis and treatment of a range of different ailments and conditions.

MRI Scanners

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a type of scan that is often used to diagnose health conditions that affect organs, tissue and bone. MRI scans use strong magnetic fields and radio waves to produce a detailed image of the inside of the body.

The device that carries out MRI scans is known as an MRI scanner. The scanner consists of a large tube that contains a series of powerful magnets. The patient lies inside the tube during the scan.

PET Scanners

A positive emission tomography (PET) scan is used to produce a detailed, three-dimensional picture of the inside of the body. The images clearly show the part of the body that is being investigated and can also highlight how effectively certain functions of the body are working.

PET scans are most commonly used to help diagnose a range of different cancers, as well as heart and neurological conditions.

Patients will need to lie on a flat bed that will move them through the large circular PET scanner, which highlights any areas of the body affected by disease.

The magnets and X-ray tubes/capsules can heat up very quickly. If they are not cooled, this can interfere with their performance (and the diagnostic results they produce), and also cause damage to the units themselves. Unfortunately, scanners are often manufactured abroad, meaning that diagnosing the problem and then having necessary replacement parts shipped to the UK can be a protracted process (sometimes taking months).

The key to avoiding overheating, breakdowns and damage is to strictly control and maintain required temperatures within critical purpose medical rooms. This can be achieved by contacting an established air conditioning hire specialist who will be experienced in supplying equipment to this environment and understand the need to fit around hospital schedules.

Typically an air conditioning hire company will specify a split type portable air conditioner that can be connected via a flexible hose (which reaches up to 30m). This means that there are two parts to the system, the room unit and the external condenser unit, allowing for versatility of location and access to more remote sites within a hospital setting.

No in built air conditioning system is completely fail-safe, no matter how regularly it is serviced and maintained. Having a robust contingency plan in place with an air conditioning hire company will ensure that both down time and waiting times are minimised.

Article submitted by Steve Reeve, Sales Director at Andrews Sykes. With over 25 years experience, Andrews Sykes provides portable air conditioning unit hire for hospitals and the healthcare industry, using machinery sourced from the world's top manufacturers.

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2012年2月25日星期六

The New View on Brown Adipose Calorie-Burning

Last week the New England Journal of Medicine published three groundbreaking reports on brown adipose tissue, a type of fat tissue that burns calories and disposes of them as heat - a helpful way tool for anyone seeking to lose weight. For years Western medicine has believed brown adipose tissue was not active in adults - no longer - brown fat is now a new target for drug design. Of course, no drug will be better than you simply getting your own brown fat working better.

The first study involved 24 men, 10 normal weight and 14 overweight or obese. Researchers used positron-emission tomography and computed tomography (PET-CT) scans to view metabolic activation of brown adipose tissue. At normal temperature there was no activation. Upon exposure to cold brown fat tissues lit up, proving that these types of tissues are metabolically active in adults. Unfortunately, those with the most extra white fat (meaning the most overweight) were the ones with the smallest amount of brown fat.

The second study analyzed 3640 patients with PET-CT scans performed for various diagnostic reasons. This study did not intentionally try to activate brown adipose tissue, but did find it present in adults. There was less of it in older people and it directly declined in response to body mass index (obesity).

The third study used PET scans in 5 healthy people to show that cold exposure increased metabolic activity in brown adipose tissue 15 fold over baseline inactivation. This is a major compensating effort to make heat - and burn calories to make 100% heat (not making any energy). Biopsy specimens from the activated tissue proved that uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) was activated, which enabled the heat producing metabolic response.

Collectively, these studies prove that brown adipose tissue is activated by cold exposure - which should be no problem for anyone running outside in the winter time. Getting chilled every now and then is a good way to perk up this type of fat.

Brown adipose tissue is brown because it has a lot of nerves going to it and a lot of blood, as different from white adipose tissue. Any stimulant, whether nutritional or a drug, tends to help weight loss, at least temporarily, by activating brown adipose tissue. The problem with this strategy is it stresses your kidneys, tends to raise your blood pressure, and can depress leptin into starvation mode - meaning once the stimulation is over then weight is gained back. This is why I don't use any stimulants in Wellness Resources weight management supplements.

You can also safely activate brown adipose tissue by doing short bursts of intense activity. Jumping jacks, deep knee bends/squats, a quick trip up and down the stairs, etc, will boost your sympathetic nerve activation and stimulate brown adipose tissue.

However, those who are overweight have less active brown fat because it has become marbleized with white fat (just like their muscles, heart, liver, and circulatory system). There is still hope, because such individuals can activate a cousin of uncoupling protein 1 called uncoupling protein 3 (UCP3). UPC3 is activated in your muscles when you exercise and is also a great way to "throw away excess calories" as heat - however it does not stress your heart and kidneys or depress leptin, like stimulants do.

I explain the details of how to activate UCP3 in my article on Q10 and my tips on running. DHA also helps activate UCP3. Thus, a person can use a combination of nutrition and exercise to safely burn extra calories to assist weight loss, and then regain their natural supply of brown fat (by unclogging the white fat out of it through weight loss), at which point metabolism will run much better on its own.

Byron J. Richards, Founder/Director of Wellness Resources, Inc, is a Board-Certified Clinical Nutritionist and a world renowned natural health expert. Richards is the first to explain the relevance of leptin and its link to solving obesity.

For Byron's Free E-Health News Letter

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The Victims of Lung Cancer Related to Asbestos

Asbestos is a mineral fiber. It can be definitely identified simply with a special kind of microscope. There are many types of asbestos fibers. Formerly, asbestos was added to a range of products to reinforce them and to give heat insulation and fire resistance.

Asbestos-related lung disease happened at very high rates to the middle of the 20th century, when patients who were uncovered decades earlier to asbestos finally developed disease. British asbestos workers were among the first who were detected to suffer lung cancer related to asbestos.

Like mesothelioma, the latency phase between asbestos exposure and the growth of asbestos related lung cancer may be two, three, four, or even more decades. Very frequently, asbestos-related cancer sufferers also suffer from asbestosis, a scarring of the lung tissue caused by asbestos exposure. Approximately one in seven people with asbestosis will ultimately expand cancer of lung.

The danger of lung cancer and mesothelioma raises with the number of fibers inhaled. The risk from inhaling asbestos fibers is greater too if you smoke. While the majority asbestos-associated cancers are related to the intensity and extent of exposure, reports in medical journals have related some mesotheliomas to short exposure phases, on the order of months.

Many studies have attempted to decide whether asbestosis is present in all cases of asbestos-related lung cancer. While this would make simpler the pathology determination once the diagnosis was completed-and potentially help in treatment decisions-this has not showed to be a reliable pattern in these cases.

Once the existence of any of these lung abnormalities is recognized, any tests may be necessary to establish if cancer of lung is present, how far it has progressed, and what medications are indicated. Frequently, some are used in conjunction to give a complete picture.

While imaging tests like A Computed Tomography Scan (CT scan or CAT scan), Positron emission tomography (PET) scans and ultrasound give helpful information, lung cancer, asbestos-related or otherwise, cannot be diagnosed without examination of the abnormal tissue or tumor. This necessitates a biopsy, or physical removal of tissue for examination. Physicians typically prefer to use the least invasive methods first, resorting to more invasive if a diagnosis cannot be attained.

If you want to get some excellent resources on ASBESTOS, please visit my site on All about Asbestos [http://www.1st-in-asbestos.blogspot.com/] or Asbestos and Lung Cancer [http://1st-in-asbestos.blogspot.com/2009/08/victims-of-lung-cancer-related-to.html].

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Understanding My Sudden Depression

I never really understood depression, I guess because I never experienced it - until I was fifty-seven. It happened this way:

Two days after my "visit" to the emergency ward I met with a urologist. He told me several things besides bladder cancer can cause blood in the urine, including a bladder infection. He gave me a prescription for antibiotics and scheduled an appointment with me so he could look into my bladder-something I dreaded.

I asked, "Can't we do the appointment sooner? I don't like having to wait almost a week."

"I'm sorry, but I just can't."

The next day I had a body scan with contrast. A few days later Dr. Sherman called. He said the results were encouraging, but he wanted me to take a PET scan.

I asked, "If the results are so encouraging why should I take a PET scan?"

"Just so we're sure about the spots on your lung."

Dr. Sherman, it seemed, wasn't being honest with me. I understood he didn't want to scare me, but my having cancer was a real possibility and, well, I just didn't like the idea of doctors thinking they could fool me into believing I had nothing to worry about.

Did they think I hadn't heard of WebMD.com?

I got a phone call from an old co-worker, Dan. Dan and I had never been close friends. To be honest, I had trouble with his radical politics, and with his bitterness. Dan was a failed artist, and I guess I was scared of becoming one too. Still, there was a bond between us: the Twelve Steps. Dan was a recovering alcoholic, though I suspected he occasionally fell off the wagon. (He often called in sick.)

"Randy, I ran into one of the guys you worked with. He told me you left Frank."

"Yeah, I had a run-in with his alcoholic son about a year ago. When Frank got back from California he took my side of the argument. This infuriated Frank Jr. For the next year he was always on my case, always putting me down. Then last week he told me his father was semi-retired, and that, since he was now in charge, it was my job to drive cars with one headlight out. I told him I couldn't do that, so he told me to leave. Dan, at this point in my life I just can't work for an active alcoholic. Sometimes I just hate them, though I know I shouldn't."

"I hear you."

"I have more news." I filled Dan in on my medical condition.

"I'm really sorry to hear that. It sounds like you're doing all the right things to take care of yourself. I hope everything turns out okay. I knew someone who was diagnosed with advanced bladder cancer fifteen years ago. They built him a new bladder. He's doing fine."

"That's the one thing I'm grateful for: Bladder cancer, as long as it hasn't spread, is treatable."

I remembered that, for an alcoholic, Dan was an exception: He listened.

"I have medical news too," Dan said. "Ever since my hernia operation I've been having some trouble, so I have to go back and have a second procedure. It's nothing major. I won't even have to say overnight in the hospital."

"When are you going in?"

"In a week."

Though I was concerned for Dan, I was envious. I wished I had his medical condition rather than mine.

We agreed to stay in touch. I hung up feeling glad that, in spite of our political differences, Dan and I had found a way to be friendly.

Finally: the morning of my bladder exam. I didn't feel very scared, probably because I was still in denial, the way I had been in denial about so many things: my fear, my vulnerability, and my lack of self-worth.

To fast forward ahead: my bladder exam was negative. I didn't have bladder cancer. One more scan to go.

Also negative. I didn't have lung or any other type of cancer. Relieved, I was sure I'd feel great and finally leave my resentments and regrets behind

I didn't. In fact, I felt a little worse. I wasn't sure why. At first I assumed it was because I again felt like a victim, this time because I had to start all over again at a new limo company, just because the boss's son was a drunk.

Again the world seemed so unfair!

But I did start again and found myself surrounded with unfamiliar faces. I felt lonely, like an outsider who didn't belong.

Baron, a guy I used to work with, called me. "I have bad news," he said. "Dan didn't make it."

"Didn't make it?"

"Yeah, he died of a heart attack on the table."

"What? He was only sixty-two."

"I know."

"How'd you find out?"

"Dan gave the hospital my name and number. I guess he had no one else."

Still not believing that Dan had died, I thought of how strange it was that just a week ago I possibly had cancer while Dan had a minor medical condition, and yet Dan passed away, and I was fine.

I thanked Baron for calling. I thought of how Dan died a lonely, failed, bitter artist. More than anything I wished I could rewrite his story, but I knew I couldn't.

Within a few hours I sank into a quicksand of grief. Surprised at how deep and thick the quicksand was, I wondered, is all my grief over Dan?

Soon I realized much of it was over my cancer-ridden parents' horrible deaths. Again I wanted to go back in time and make peace with them before they fell sick; and again I didn't want to face grief, so I wished I could deny it, the way I had denied the grief of my childhood, but then I told myself that feeling grief was a good thing-a sign of my now being strong enough to come to terms with it.

I assumed, therefore, my grief would run its course and retreat, but like a river fed by tributaries, my grief grew stronger and deeper; and so I sensed Dan's and my parents' passing weren't the only source of my grief.

But else what was? Searching for an answer I lay down, closed my eyes and meditated. Soon I came to see that much of the source was my fear of also dying as a lonely, failed, bitter artist.

I looked forward to my monthly therapy session.

It arrived, finally. I told Matt I got a clean bill of health.

"That's great news."

I told Matt about Dan, and then spoke about my recent disappointments: failing the eye exam, seeing my book sales go nowhere and again changing jobs because of an alcoholic or drug-addict boss.

"And what does all that mean?" Matt asked.

"What do you mean?"

"Do you feel you caused all those disappointments?"

"No, that's what makes them even more painful."

"You do have good news: You're healthy. Why not focus on that?"

"My feelings are not a telescope. I just can't adjust them."

"Do you think it's in any way connected to your tendency to focus on the negative?"

Annoyed by the question, I answered, "I suppose so." I went on and told Matt how tired I was of being a chauffeur, of having to fight New York City traffic, of having to sit in a car by myself hour after hour, of having to work for owners who never listened to me. "Chauffeuring was tolerable when I was pursuing a writing career, but where has that career led me: to a dead end walled with debt. Becoming a writer once seemed like a dream. Now it seems like a curse. I don't understand how, after my book got some great reviews, the reviews have just stopped. "

"Do you feel you have options?" Matt asked.

"Not unless I buy them in the stock market."

"You once talked about moving out West and driving a school bus."

"Do you think that's a real possibility?"

"You once thought it was."

"I feel like this conversation is going in circles." I looked at the small clock on the desk. The session was almost over. I can't wait to get out of here.

Matt ended the session by again reminding me that I had a tendency to focus on the negative rather than the positive.

Easy for him to say, I thought.

A half-hour later I walked into my apartment, and suddenly my grief and disappointment spun like a black hole and pulled me into a pitch-black depression. Again and again I thought-I obsessed-of how nothing ever seemed to work out for me. I assumed, therefore, nothing ever would. I felt cursed, and was sure no one would ever publish my book of fly fishing memoirs. I was also sure that, at fifty-five, I didn't have any possibility of finding a rewarding career. I dreaded, as if it were the plague, the possibility that I'd have to drive a limousine for the next ten years. I wondered what the purpose of living was. I again read Hamlet's To Be Or Not To Be soliloquy. His words hit like George Foreman's punches. To me, living in misery seemed like a coward's way out. I didn't see how I'd be able to go to work the next day, or the next.

I reminded myself to stay in the day, but I couldn't, so I tried to stay in the hour. I couldn't. I tried to stay in the moment.

The moments moved like a river of molasses.

Somehow I made it through the next day of work, though my pain deepened. Finally home, I thought, for the first time in my life, of the best way of ending it all. The thought of jumping off a building and mutilating my body didn't sit well with me, so I turned to the thought of taking an overdose of sleeping pills. And if I could get the pills, how would I say goodbye? Easy: I'd write letters to my friends and my sister, explaining why I decided not to go on living. Yes, my decision would cause them, especially my sister, pain, but maybe, just maybe, they would find a way to understand.

I made it through another day of work, and another, and then I thought of how Dan's death had started a chain reaction of dark feelings. I wondered, How, with all my recovery, did I fall into my first severe depression? Was all my recovery, therefore, a waste of time? If only I could time travel back, to before I was in recovery, then I could again repress and deny my pain.

But like a flowing river, I couldn't go back.

I thought of my sister, of how she had suffered from depression and had tried, several times, to commit suicide. I thought of how I never understood the pain she, and others, had lived with before modern-day antidepressants-and not just for a few weeks but for many, many years. I thought of how, for the first time in my life, I experienced the suffocating grip of depression, and of how I now understood its crushing pain.

No wonder, I thought, my sister and Robert and the bosses I've worked for, became alcoholics and drug addicts. Should I take antidepressants? But they won't change that I'm at a dead end in my life. And what about all those people who don't have writing or dreams and have to work dead-end jobs, many to support families. How do they do it without being depressed? Suddenly I feel so sorry for them. Yes, I had been blessed to have a dream, even though I didn't always see it.

Finally my work week ended. I spent my days off lying on my couch, watching movies and TV and trying, somewhat successfully, to numb my pain. I went to a Twelve Step meeting. Terribly ashamed of my great depression, I didn't share about it.

I had to go back to work.

Like an angler wading upstream against a strong current, I made it through another work week, one step, one moment at a time.

I stood on 57th street, waiting for a bus. I remembered often sharing my feelings of disappointment with Matt. I remembered him always asking me questions, him inferring that my feelings were somehow not valid, and therefore my fault.

I got on the bus. The thought hit me: During all my years of therapy, all my years of disappointment, Matt had never shown me the slightest bit of empathy.

Immediately, my depression eased its deadly grip.

A half hour later I walked into my apartment and meditated. Yes, I thought, my depression, my thoughts of suicide, my lack of self-worth, must be connected to my not receiving empathy. Yes, during my whole life I've probably denied how much I craved empathy; but now, because of my recovery and my recent cancer scare, I'm able, finally, to admit my craving. Has the final layer of my recovery been peeled? Am I now ready to have all my character defects lifted? Yes, I should be grateful. When the other layers were peeled, I also felt pain. And my mother-yes, she too was in so much pain because her parents spent so much empathy on their dying son they had none left for her. No wonder she raged. And my father: his parents were so self-involved they had little empathy for him. No wonder he denied his feelings. If only I had seen this sooner. But I'm not supposed to regret the past. I have to go forward, like a river. Yes, my cancer scare has changed me, though not in the way I expected. It has helped me understand the pain of others and has helped me become more empathetic. Maybe the blood in my urine happened for a reason, like the time my fly line broke and I had to change lines and ended up catching a fish. And maybe, just maybe, a loving Higher Power is helping me take my recovery to a deeper level. Yet still I'm so scared to believe in a loving, active Higher Power. Is it because I'm afraid of being hurt again? Am I that vulnerable? No! I can choose to see myself as someone who's been through so much, and has always kept getting up, always kept using my pain to help me grow. Yes, my recovery, if I work it, will help me find a way.

I woke up the next morning and ate breakfast. My depression, it seemed, had lifted.

I went to a Twelve Step meeting and shared about my recent depression and how it had changed me. After the meeting several people came up to me and told me how helpful my share was. She thanked me, then again.

Grateful, I thought, Yes, I can still help others. Perhaps I still have important writing to do, important amends to make. True, I don't see the solutions for my life right now, but in the past, like after my mother died, I also didn't see solutions, and yet solutions revealed themselves, not in my time but in theirs, and always, I now see, for the better. Who knows, maybe my book will start to sell, and I'll sell my new book, especially because, after all I've been through, I now see the way my memoirs and autobiographical stories are unified. And with all those notes I've taken during last fishing season, I can write a new memoir, and though I see only the first half of my story, with spring almost here, perhaps my new adventures will lead me on a path that will show me how my new memoir will end

Randy is a native New Yorker. His writing has appeared in many publications, including The Flyfisher, Flyfishing & Tying Journal and Fishing And Hunting News. He is also the author of the historical fly-fishing and fly-casting novel, The Fly Caster Who Tried To Make Peace With the World, now an ebook.

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/4786

Much of Randy's writing is about the techniques of spin and fly casting and about the spirituality/recovery of fly fishing. He often fishes the streams of Westchester, the piers of New York City and the lakes of Central Park.

Visit his website at: http://www.flyandspincasting.com

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2012年2月29日 星期三

2012年2月28日 星期二

2012年2月27日 星期一

2012年2月26日 星期日

2012年2月25日 星期六

2012年2月29日星期三

2012年2月28日星期二

2012年2月27日星期一

2012年2月26日星期日

2012年2月25日星期六