Saturday, December 31, 2011
Really?
Heard while waiting at A traffic light on federal highway here in Florida: "That car is too small, wouldn't be safe in an accident."
A not uncommon unsolicited comment while driving the smart car.
But first time from a helmetless motorcyclist to his helmetless rider.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Monday, July 4, 2011
My Son had Brain Surgery today
Actually no. It was saturday morning; but the hours and days have blurred to become one. Exhausted to the point of dizziness. Unable to feel having used up all feelings. Wondering what will come next.
--//--
25 years ago he had his first bout of brain surgery. The first occurred within hours of his birth. It evacuated a Posterior fossa bleed that was killing him and saved his life.
The second took place right in the NICU when a temporary shunt was placed to relieve pressure on the brain. It failed since his spinal fluid was was thick with blood and coagulated in the shunt.
Twice daily lumbar punctures to relieve the pressure and monitor the fluid went on for weeks.
The third surgery placed a VP shunt. He was 6 weeks old.
This Saturday morning a surgeon at MGH replaced it...from the ventricles to the abdomen.
He's been lucky, actually. 25 years without a failure or infection is an extraordinary run for a shunt.
When I started writing this I was flooded with things to say. I had a few minutes away from the hospital, I sat, I wrote the intro, and woke up an hour later....not sure where to take it.
About the raw emotion?
About the wonderful nurses?
About the ones who were not?
About the whirlwind that was the 8 hours from arrival to surgery?
About the weeks of hospital stays and other illnesses that predates this?
About the disparate payments between what insurance pays local hospitals versus MGH?
About my sons experience with the medical system over the last 25 years?
About the times it's done well by him? The times it has not?
About him and his life?
About the quote we just received for a new power chair?
About the politics of health care?
About the fever?
And as I sit here by his side, I still don't know what to write, but that, My son had brain surgery.
(originally posted at Daily Kos)
--//--
25 years ago he had his first bout of brain surgery. The first occurred within hours of his birth. It evacuated a Posterior fossa bleed that was killing him and saved his life.
The second took place right in the NICU when a temporary shunt was placed to relieve pressure on the brain. It failed since his spinal fluid was was thick with blood and coagulated in the shunt.
Twice daily lumbar punctures to relieve the pressure and monitor the fluid went on for weeks.
The third surgery placed a VP shunt. He was 6 weeks old.
This Saturday morning a surgeon at MGH replaced it...from the ventricles to the abdomen.
He's been lucky, actually. 25 years without a failure or infection is an extraordinary run for a shunt.
When I started writing this I was flooded with things to say. I had a few minutes away from the hospital, I sat, I wrote the intro, and woke up an hour later....not sure where to take it.
About the raw emotion?
About the wonderful nurses?
About the ones who were not?
About the whirlwind that was the 8 hours from arrival to surgery?
About the weeks of hospital stays and other illnesses that predates this?
About the disparate payments between what insurance pays local hospitals versus MGH?
About my sons experience with the medical system over the last 25 years?
About the times it's done well by him? The times it has not?
About him and his life?
About the quote we just received for a new power chair?
About the politics of health care?
About the fever?
And as I sit here by his side, I still don't know what to write, but that, My son had brain surgery.
(originally posted at Daily Kos)
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Book return
The library asked for
The Routes of Man: How Roads Are Changing the World and the Way We Live Today - Ted Conover back before I finished it. Either I've A: been to tired from returning to work to read...or B: it's not holding my attemtion.
I expect its a bit of both.
I will need to create a new book list - started, not finished. The Routes of Man: How Roads will be in good company, I can add it to GEB
The Routes of Man: How Roads Are Changing the World and the Way We Live Today - Ted Conover back before I finished it. Either I've A: been to tired from returning to work to read...or B: it's not holding my attemtion.
I expect its a bit of both.
I will need to create a new book list - started, not finished. The Routes of Man: How Roads will be in good company, I can add it to GEB
Monday, April 18, 2011
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Books
Picked up a couple of new books recently. The first while on a road trip to Rhode Island:
The Edge of Physics: A Journey to Earth's Extremes to Unlock the Secrets of the Universe
I've read several pages From it in a wonderful independent bookstore while waiting for Martha and this book definitely has promise....looking forward to reading it; I think it may keep me from finishing "The Routes Of Man - Ted Conover" before I have to return it to the library.
The other book:
The Golden Ratio: The Story of PHI, the World's Most Astonishing Number
Haven't cracked this one yet. picked it up at a local borders that was closing as a present to myself to celebrate my new hip. 290 pages on the graphic that serves as this blog header has to be a good thing.
The Edge of Physics: A Journey to Earth's Extremes to Unlock the Secrets of the Universe
I've read several pages From it in a wonderful independent bookstore while waiting for Martha and this book definitely has promise....looking forward to reading it; I think it may keep me from finishing "The Routes Of Man - Ted Conover" before I have to return it to the library.
The other book:
The Golden Ratio: The Story of PHI, the World's Most Astonishing Number
Haven't cracked this one yet. picked it up at a local borders that was closing as a present to myself to celebrate my new hip. 290 pages on the graphic that serves as this blog header has to be a good thing.
Lang on origami - math, insects, space telescopes and the power of dead people
I seldom if ever visit YouTube land, but somehow the iPad has increased the amount of time I cruise the intertubes. Hopefully not entirely time wasted.
Today I found this 18 minute Video Lang made at TED. Art, Math, Origami, insects, Space telescopes and "dead people".
(edit....for those who are not origami enthusiasts Dr Lang is a pre-eminent origami artist whose background is that of a physicist and engineer among others things...)
Today I found this 18 minute Video Lang made at TED. Art, Math, Origami, insects, Space telescopes and "dead people".
(edit....for those who are not origami enthusiasts Dr Lang is a pre-eminent origami artist whose background is that of a physicist and engineer among others things...)
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