Haven't been too good the last couple of days. Probably a combination of eating and drinking too much. Mind you drank considerably less than last year.
The Turkey is almost finished, and ate the last of the chrimbo pudding yesterday.
Kids are watching Cat in a Hat.
Friday 30 December 2011
Year almost over
Tuesday 20 December 2011
Alicante again. Last time this year and Striking Chemists.
Went off to Alicante this afternoon to see the specialist.
Everything is OK. So my next visit is in a months time. Need to go and have an ultrasound check, to make sure my internal organs are in the right place. As I had quite an enlarged spleen, it was about 3 times bigger than it should have been, they now want to see if everything is back to normal, anyway I can get that done in the New Year.
Most of the chemists in Spain are on strike at the moment over the Government not paying them for dispensing NHS medicines. I know my local chemist was saying that medicines she dispensed on the Spanish NHS in June will be paid for in January. Lets hope I can order my next lot of Imatinib before it runs out on Christmas Eve. Here is a link to more news on striking chemists.
Everything is OK. So my next visit is in a months time. Need to go and have an ultrasound check, to make sure my internal organs are in the right place. As I had quite an enlarged spleen, it was about 3 times bigger than it should have been, they now want to see if everything is back to normal, anyway I can get that done in the New Year.
Most of the chemists in Spain are on strike at the moment over the Government not paying them for dispensing NHS medicines. I know my local chemist was saying that medicines she dispensed on the Spanish NHS in June will be paid for in January. Lets hope I can order my next lot of Imatinib before it runs out on Christmas Eve. Here is a link to more news on striking chemists.
Thursday 15 December 2011
Blood test again
Had another blood test today. This one didn't hurt at all. Didn't feel the needle at all. Must be getting used to it. :)
Its starting to get cold here in Spain. But tomorrow promises to be slightly warmer during the day.
Cut my hair yesterday, I do it myself its about a number 9 on the hair clippers. Seems to be about right for me. Did do a number 4 once but that looked far too short, and didn't suit me at all. This time a number 9 seems to be just right.
The pound seems to be doing well against the Euro I can see it breaking the 1.20 Euros to the pound before the end of the year.
Most of the kids presents have arrived from Amazon which is good. We also went mad and got a small trampoline for them too. This also arrived today. Just trying to work out how to wrap it. Should I set it up before and wrap it in tinsel or leave it boxed up and set it up on Christmas day. Mind you I'm in charge of the cooking on Christmas day. The inlaws bring the turkey and stuffing. My parents are bringing a gammon joint and christmas pud. and we do the roast potatoes (even got some ducks fat), small sausages, veggies and gravy. We will be serving mulled wine to start with. If its nice we may even eat outside, already thought about converting the barbecue into an outdoor patio heater. But looking at the forecast at the moment it will be too cold.
Its starting to get cold here in Spain. But tomorrow promises to be slightly warmer during the day.
Cut my hair yesterday, I do it myself its about a number 9 on the hair clippers. Seems to be about right for me. Did do a number 4 once but that looked far too short, and didn't suit me at all. This time a number 9 seems to be just right.
The pound seems to be doing well against the Euro I can see it breaking the 1.20 Euros to the pound before the end of the year.
Most of the kids presents have arrived from Amazon which is good. We also went mad and got a small trampoline for them too. This also arrived today. Just trying to work out how to wrap it. Should I set it up before and wrap it in tinsel or leave it boxed up and set it up on Christmas day. Mind you I'm in charge of the cooking on Christmas day. The inlaws bring the turkey and stuffing. My parents are bringing a gammon joint and christmas pud. and we do the roast potatoes (even got some ducks fat), small sausages, veggies and gravy. We will be serving mulled wine to start with. If its nice we may even eat outside, already thought about converting the barbecue into an outdoor patio heater. But looking at the forecast at the moment it will be too cold.
Sunday 11 December 2011
Beginners guide to Leukemia Part 2
The DNA of immature blood cells, mainly white cells, becomes damaged in some way. This abnormality causes the blood cells to grow and divide chaotically. Normal blood cells die after a while and are replaced by new cells which are produced in the bone marrow. The abnormal blood cells do not die so easily, and accumulate, occupying more and more space (hence high white blood cell counts). As more and more space is occupied by these faulty blood cells there is less and less space for the normal cells - and the sufferer becomes ill. Quite simply, the bad cells crowd out the good cells in the blood.
Since white blood cells are made in the bone marrow I think we should look at what the bone marrow does.
There are two types of bone marrow:
1. Red marrow, which is made up mainly of myeloid tissue.
2. Yellow marrow, is made up mostly of fat cells.
Red marrow can be found in the flat bones, like the breast bone, skull, vertebrae, shoulder blades, hip bone and the ribs. Red marrow can also be found at the ends of long bones, such as the humerus and femur.
White blood cells (lymphocytes), red blood cells and platelets are all produced in the red marrow. Red blood cells carry oxygen, and the white blood cells fight diseases. Platelets are essential for blood clotting. Yellow marrow can be found in the inside of the middle section of long bones.
If a person loses a lot of blood the body can convert yellow marrow to red marrow in order to raise blood cell production. (pretty cool)
White blood cells, red blood cells and platelets exist in plasma - Blood plasma is the liquid component of blood, in which the blood cells are suspended.
In the next part we will look at types of Leukemia.
Since white blood cells are made in the bone marrow I think we should look at what the bone marrow does.
The Function of the bone marrow
The bone marrow is found in the inside of bones. The marrow in the large bones of adults produces blood cells. About 4% of your total bodyweight consists of bone marrow.There are two types of bone marrow:
1. Red marrow, which is made up mainly of myeloid tissue.
2. Yellow marrow, is made up mostly of fat cells.
Red marrow can be found in the flat bones, like the breast bone, skull, vertebrae, shoulder blades, hip bone and the ribs. Red marrow can also be found at the ends of long bones, such as the humerus and femur.
White blood cells (lymphocytes), red blood cells and platelets are all produced in the red marrow. Red blood cells carry oxygen, and the white blood cells fight diseases. Platelets are essential for blood clotting. Yellow marrow can be found in the inside of the middle section of long bones.
If a person loses a lot of blood the body can convert yellow marrow to red marrow in order to raise blood cell production. (pretty cool)
White blood cells, red blood cells and platelets exist in plasma - Blood plasma is the liquid component of blood, in which the blood cells are suspended.
In the next part we will look at types of Leukemia.
Monday 5 December 2011
Exercise
I must be doing something right with my blog, as a guy called David contacted me wanting to know if he could write an article for my blog, so thats cool.
The article is about exercise and its benefits for cancer sufferers.
I try and walk at least 15 minutes a day, and have been trying to find somewhere that does Tai Chi.
The article is by David Haas
The article is about exercise and its benefits for cancer sufferers.
I try and walk at least 15 minutes a day, and have been trying to find somewhere that does Tai Chi.
The article is by David Haas
Fitness Programs During Cancer Treatment
Regular exercise and eating correctly have always been keystones to lowering a person’s risk for cancer. But a cancer diagnosis and subsequent treatment should not stop the patient from exercising when possible. For decades, bed rest and avoidance of many physical activities were the prescribed therapy. But new studies are showing the benefits to the patient of moderate physical exercise during treatment. In fact, new guidelines by the American Society of Clinical Oncology are now prescribing exercise as a part of the treatment process.
As with healthy individuals, a regular regimen of exercise will help promote a healthier body for those undergoing cancer treatments or those in recovery. This holds true for all different types of cancer ranging from skin cancer to mesothelioma. Moderate exercise, when possible, will help promote:
Better mood;
Increase muscle tone and strength;
Higher physical energy;
Mitigation of fatigue;
Sharper mental capacity;
Increased endurance and stamina.
The National Cancer Institute has identified 2 studies demonstrating the benefits of an exercise program and cancer survival rates. In one study, women diagnosed with breast cancer who maintained a moderate exercise program had a higher survival rate than those who did not. The exercise consisted merely of walking 3 to 5 miles per week. In another, a home exercise program showed improvement in both the physical and psychological levels of women diagnosed with breast cancer and who previously maintained sedentary lifestyles.
In 2010, the e American Society of Clinical Oncology created new guidelines supporting exercise during cancer treatment. For most cancer patients, 150 minutes of aerobic exercise per week is recommended. Walking, swimming, yoga and other moderate activities are recommended, depending on the fitness level and present condition of the individual patient.
The guidelines point out that the activity be tailored to the individual patient. For instance, those who were more active before the cancer treatment began are more likely to tolerate moderate activity, as opposed to those with a sedentary lifestyle prior to treatment.
However, beginning slow, not exercising to the point of severe fatigue and building up stamina over time can also benefit those who were not active in the past. There are other risks to consider, and precautionary measures that should be taken, such as those predisposed to infection. Extra caution should be taken with those patients, such as disinfecting equipment or avoidance of public fitness centers. But even these situations would not preclude some type of home fitness program.
Patients should consult with their oncologist / doctor / specialist in considering a fitness program for their needs. But the newest studies are favorable to beginning a fitness program as soon as possible during treatment.
As with healthy individuals, a regular regimen of exercise will help promote a healthier body for those undergoing cancer treatments or those in recovery. This holds true for all different types of cancer ranging from skin cancer to mesothelioma. Moderate exercise, when possible, will help promote:
Better mood;
Increase muscle tone and strength;
Higher physical energy;
Mitigation of fatigue;
Sharper mental capacity;
Increased endurance and stamina.
The National Cancer Institute has identified 2 studies demonstrating the benefits of an exercise program and cancer survival rates. In one study, women diagnosed with breast cancer who maintained a moderate exercise program had a higher survival rate than those who did not. The exercise consisted merely of walking 3 to 5 miles per week. In another, a home exercise program showed improvement in both the physical and psychological levels of women diagnosed with breast cancer and who previously maintained sedentary lifestyles.
In 2010, the e American Society of Clinical Oncology created new guidelines supporting exercise during cancer treatment. For most cancer patients, 150 minutes of aerobic exercise per week is recommended. Walking, swimming, yoga and other moderate activities are recommended, depending on the fitness level and present condition of the individual patient.
The guidelines point out that the activity be tailored to the individual patient. For instance, those who were more active before the cancer treatment began are more likely to tolerate moderate activity, as opposed to those with a sedentary lifestyle prior to treatment.
However, beginning slow, not exercising to the point of severe fatigue and building up stamina over time can also benefit those who were not active in the past. There are other risks to consider, and precautionary measures that should be taken, such as those predisposed to infection. Extra caution should be taken with those patients, such as disinfecting equipment or avoidance of public fitness centers. But even these situations would not preclude some type of home fitness program.
Patients should consult with their oncologist / doctor / specialist in considering a fitness program for their needs. But the newest studies are favorable to beginning a fitness program as soon as possible during treatment.
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