mar02a

The following quotes were taken from actual medical records dictated by physicians.
z By the time he was admitted, his rapid heart had stopped, and he was feeling better.
z Patient has chest pain if she lies on her left side for over a year.
z On the second day the knee was better and on the third day it had completely disappeared.
z She has had no rigors or shaking chills, but her husband states she was very hot in bed last night.
z The patient has been depressed ever since she began seeing me in 1983.
z Patient was released to outpatient department without dressing.
z Discharge status: Alive but without permission.

Greetings Fellow Earthlings,
And to all you space-type people in the satellites. Ok maybe that was a stretch but hey, stretching keeps you young. As a doctor once told me, "I do stretching exercises (Tai Chi actually) because I want to die in a young body at a very old age". As you will have noticed on the front cover, we have two satellite meetings happening in addition to the regular monthly meeting. Congratulations to all people who's hard work and effort went into making this possible.
Although it may seem a little early to be thinking about picnics, March's lamb-like start notwithstanding, this year it will be at Jessoma Farms. We will be trying for the meeting at the end of the month there as well. Note that this month we will have the meeting on the Sunday BEFORE the last Sunday in the month, ostensibly because the last Sunday is Easter. Actually I think we are trying to avoid another 'weather-out' to fool the 'Lion' that traditionally ends Marches that start like lambs.
Our first article this month deals with abdominal changes. These changes can affect all stoma types and are the result of how the stoma is attached and in some cases too much cheesecake, see the article for details. The next article is about urolithiasis. This is a ten dollar word for drink water, lots of water, unless of course you like the feeling of having your kidneys calcify inside you. Right. Nuf said. (read the article!)
The next article is one that may have applied to you - what DO you say to someone who is really sick? Here are eight guidelines that are practical and empathetic.
You may have also noticed that most of this month's articles start on page 5. Actually this is because the last article is really quite long. This is the story of a man who discovered he had pernicious anemia. Pernicious anemia is caused lack of Vitamin B12. This is relevant to persons who have had surgery to remove parts of the small intestine, especially the last 12 inches where most of the B12 is absorbed. Pernicious anemia is very treatable but as always, final diagnosis should be made and treatment prescribed by a medical professional.
Until next time
Stay Well,
Bob