For Smee

[Steven Hauser]

Hi Linda,

Per your request.

Knowledge and human power are synonymous, since the ignorance of the first, frustrates the effect.

Sir Francis Bacon


This came from a Latin and or French text by Sir Francis.

Novum Organum.

Steven

[Sponsored Links]

[smee]

Indeed, isn't it so. thank you, Steven.

So, are you reading any history at the moment?

[Steven Hauser]

Kind of,

I am reading various texts by my favorites. Some of it is re reading and some new things.

Thomas Paine, Sir Francis Bacon, and Ayn Rand right now.

No particular reason except as you made note, I am irritated with the world now. Too many inconsistencies and excuses for me. I am waiting for my curiosity to be reawakened. Plus, we are quite busy at work now.

Thanks for asking.

What has captured your thoughts?

Best regards, Steven

[smee]

I do the same thing. Read a few books at a time and re-read often, especially when I am not excited about any new books...

Re-reading "A Distant Mirror" Barbara Tuchman, finishing a M. Keen book on Medieval Warfare, a book on Fibromyalgia and it so happens I am also reading abook called "Tile your World" - ever hear of it?


So, irritated with the world or with your world? If we get talking about the world - well, eat your weaties and put on a pot of coffee cause I think we'd have one looonnnng discussion. Now, as a student of history - don't you, haven't you seen that it's always that way in every time. It is indelible.

I've been really busy too - it's a good thing tho. I don't know if you mean overwhelmed - but I am....so, I think I can relate. It'll pass...always does :D

[John Bridge]

I'm not familiar with any of those books, but Jeremy is.

;)

[Hobbit]

Hope I'm not butting in here!:)

I've been busy the last month or so reading (re-reading) the Stephen King "Gunslinger" books. Of course they're not historical in any respect, but do offer a little respite from the daily grind. In addition, have also re-read the Tolkien trilogy for the fifth time (at least). Still haven't seen the last movie....??

But the real reason for the post is to point out a a new (to me) author that provides a very good read with some excellent historical perspective. A friend just recently turned me on to Dan Brown. He has written four (maybe five) books. He is the author of the The Da Vinvi Code and a more recent book, Angels and Demons, the telling (story line) of which precedes The Da Vinvi Code.

If you are at least a little familiar with the long standing fight between "science" and religion and all of the possible ramifications, you should read these two books. There is a tremendous amount of historical perspective and a lot of factual information about the region (Europe--Italy) and its peoples and underground.

I haven't finished Angels and Demons yet, so I won't comment further except to say I think it is worthwhile.

:):)

[Steven Hauser]

Linda,

Nice reading, I was not counting the non historical stuff (type A and literal somewhat!!)

Howard,

I will read that book, I read the DaVinci one and it did make me take a closer look at several time periods. Thanks!

It is the world in general Linda, I am ready any time you are! I would rather take a run and drink some Cytomax.



Steven

[smee]

Howard - I have been keeping my eye on the DaVinci Code for some time. I like to choose interesting fiction as a break from what many would think are dry history books. As far as the LOTR - I am a huge fan. Was just mulling over reading them again for the umteenth time. After you see the last movie - let me know what you think and which one you liked best.

as for Steven King - eeeeekkkkk - my dentist looks just like him - I pay my karmic debts at the dentist. anyhoo - I can't read horror...uh, it scares me.

Steven - yep, type A and F :D at the same time if that's possible. you are a runner? nice. I was once a runner - a trail runner and loved it - I am however at war with the bod who isn't into running. But we are in negotiation and I promised no more marathons if it would let me run 10K's and stuff along those lines without pain.

maybe we should all read the DaVinci Code and have a discussion? anyone?:D

[smee]

OK Steven - which subject about fixing the world would you like to discuss first?

[Steven Hauser]

Let's start with running,

Are their any medical concerns which prevents you from marathoning?

I run them as well as a few other distances. I am 38 and plan on transition at 40 to the triathalon 1st (2-3 years)then ultra's (5 years) and finally multiday events when my children are old enough to carry me:D.

I defer to you- pick any topic you want to bounce around & we willl give it a try.

Steven

[smee]

I've done two marathons and 1 50K which began as a trail marathon, but we got lost....twice. Anyway, it was the only way I would have done any ultra distance. I did this over about 4 yrs.
I am going to be 39 right away....two years ago was diagnosed with cancer. Lucky for me it was early and they only had to take out a couple organs - no chemo, no radiation. Just brutal surgery and recovery. I started running about 2 mos later - easy runs - recovered well and then started to train for a trail marathon - about a month before HIT THE WALL - I mean hit the wall going 80. I still don't know what happened, still don't know - I've been tested for everything you can imagine. The doc's think I have Fibromyalgia - which is a lot like Chronic Fatigue - difference being pain - pain like an 80 yr old all over. Anyway, it's been 8 mos or so of a battle. I thought it was overtraining....nope.

Am working on a training regimine I can live with. In the gym and doing yoga, and I walk my dogs about two hours a day. Well, they run around killing small animals - I stand and look out at the pacific ocean.

I did however run 20 minutes yesterday - which for me truly is a minor miracle. So, I keep on trucking, but man those real training runs seem a lifetime ago.

I had a goal of doing a marathon for my 40th in another country. Picking a good race in an awesome place and making a vacation out of it. We'll see.

I say go for it Steven on the tri's - they are fun. Tough fun! Have you been running a while?

[Steven Hauser]

Hi Linda,

I am glad you are blessed with an awareness of your body to have caught it early.

Let me try and help some. Biological and experimental psychology is where my formal education is actually. I am a voracious researcher and did some studies on the chemical processes within the body. Which organs were sacrificed?

When I say triathalons I mean training for the iron man triathalons. My buddies joke that I'll never do it because I hate the swim (sardines in a can). I'll do it but decided to get some time goals for the marathon out of the way first.

I run competively now for, oh 3.5 years, solidly for 8 years, took a 15 year break to learn how to party real hard. I was a different type of athlete as a youngster still endurance based.:D

Yoga is quite good actually which type do you like?

Steven

[smee]

Again, Steven, I say go for it. There is NO reason you can't do the iron man. It is about training smart, being focused and having a will that most people simply don't. Any intense endurance race takes will.

I did 2 half iron man tri when I was 26. I am not a great fan - but truly admire and appreciate the effort.

and btw, all suggestions are welcome and appreciated!

Yeah, it was funny, but they say cancer is a-symtomatic...call it intuition or knowing my body, but for about 6 mos before finding out I just knew something wasn't right. What's crazy is I had to bug my doctor to do some tests. I do thank my lucky stars every day. I lost my uterus and an ovary. I retained one ovary - so I'm not on any HRT's. phew. I hate taking anything.

I know things aren't in balance right now either. I eat pretty well, I'm about 5lbs over my favorite weight, my body fat is over 10% which when all is good, it usually dips below. I don't know if you are familiar with Fibro - I have been researching it a little - but aside from that I have noticed that I am dropping things ALL the bloody time in my left hand....VERY unusual. And forgetting things....WAY unusual. If you have any hinkerings, ideas, I'll take em. thank you.

[kemguru]

Hi Linda :)

Fibro is for real…and painful. Fatigue is a bear. Extreme fatigue happens for two reasons.

One…it just flat hurts. Your body is constantly stressed, while at work, play, rest and sleep. Hard to get a solid nights sleep when you wake up due to your body kicking its own butt. Something that is common with FMS is a kind of leg twitching, or shaking, or just bouncing of the legs….kind of like an impatient toddler or nervous leg and/or foot habit. This is usually worse while sleeping.

Two…FMS is a Rheumatic disease. Like Rheumatoid Arthritis, except in your muscles and sometimes skin, even. Rheumatic diseases are autoimmune disorders. Your body is fighting itself. It’s like having the flu 24/7. Very tiring.

I was diagnosed with FMS over a year ago. I was misdiagnosed. I consider diagnosis of FMS a cop-out on the part of the Rheumatologist. There are approximately 170 different rheumatic type variations. If you can figure out which one you have you can better treat the symptoms. There’s no cure for any of them. FMS is what a Doc says when they cant pinpoint which of the 170, or so, names that exist. Since they don’t know what’s going on…exactly…they cant treat you. It becomes a pain management issue.

My former Rheumatologist was an idiot. I have more Oxycontin and Vicoden than old Rush could handle. :D I wasted over a year with that quack. I spent 45 minutes with a different Doc. We made more progress in 45 minutes than over the previous 12 months combined. She diagnosed me (not FMS) and set me up with the right meds.

I know more about Rheumatic issues than I want to. That’s life. I also know the ins and outs of dealing with the Docs.

If interested…I’m here for you. :)

[smee]

hey Tim - yeah, I don't even want to get into the bone head's posing as doctors I've dealth with. They ALL basically wanted to send me to a head shrinker (nothing against em' a course :) )

"They" eventually said it's Fibro. I think they really don't know. I was tested for Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus, leukemia, cancer of all kinds, hypo this, hyper that aaackkk. As far as tests show, I'm good all the way around. So, what do they think....I must be making it up.........right, of course. It's been very frustrating, meanwhile, when I get up, I'm 80yrs old, and I get back to 38 around noon with some residual 80's here and there - just as a little reminder.
I must confess that I stopped getting up at 4:30am to train, took a few months off the gym, slept whenever I needed to and even tho it got worse before getting better - it did improve for a while. Well, the exhaustion did, the joint, muscle pain has not.
When I mentioned that I ran 20 minutes - I can't explain what an amazing feat it was. When you're day is rated by what number you are on the pain scale - actual normal activity is a nice feeling.

I've been experimenting with different things....supplements, mostly vitamins, I've read some stuff and some is a bit quacky, but hey, I'm out of PHd's at the moment knowing what they are talking about, so I'm open to quacks.
My next experiment is diet. a literal cleaning house approach...not fun, but I think by completely elimiating all processed foods of any kind for at least 12 weeks I can see if it makes a difference. I'm trying to get my head on right about that committment.

So, if you don't mind saying so, what was your diagnosis ?

I just got a new doc, will be seeing him soon - and I really hope I won the lottery with this guy - cause I'm due. If one more doctor asks me " are you sure you aren't just depressed", I'm gonna lose my grease. :bang:

thanks for the info.

[Steven Hauser]

Linda,

My heart is out for you. Severalvery quick questions. Did you notice the fatigue and pain before the ovarian cancer? Many times the approach is to look for the obvious problem and once a cancer,virus, or bacteria is found to blame all symptoms on it.

This creates problems because although you successfully took care of the cancer the underlying fatigue and pain were still there. Now you state you started running 2mos and then started marathon training then bam found the wall. Do you remember much about the training up until that time? Do you keep a log?

Ok you also are stating that you are suffering some short term memory loss and you you are dropping things with your left hand.

Q) What do you find yourself forgetting? How often? What time of day? Do you all of a sudden remember what you forgot? If so when?

Q) Manual dexterity based- When do you start fgetting the dropsy's? What time of day? Any enviromental stress that happens before any of the events? Do you notice whether you are getting hotter or colder?

Steven

PS Amen to smart training. I am so smart that I defer training for it:D

[smee]

Steven -

Well, I am throwing out a boatload of info in a few paragraphs or trying to anyway and losing lots of clarification as well.

I had cervical cancer, but it was lymphatic so they took out the 'whole program' if you know what I mean ;) I had two previous cone biopsys - that was neat. Then the major surgery - Two years ago Feb 28th.

I took two months off work - then went on vacation and did a lot of walking - a little running. Very light runs for the rest of the year. At the beginning of 03 I started more concerted training. I was aware it takes about a year for the bod to recover from major surgery. I was careful.

The race I never made was supposed to be last June. I bailed out about a month out. I was definitely in over training mode. At least that's what I thought. Then things started to worsen. So, it's been 8 mos. It was bad leading up to the bailout, and it then got really bad. I was exhausted, so exhausted I was scared. That was the main issue at the time. I would still go to the gym, and after one set, I'd be wiped out, breathing hard and when I would walk my dogs, I'd have to sit down. I was fighting it, thinking it would just go away.

Started going to the doctor. I was thinking it had to be related to the cancer thing. But, having been over a year from that and being tested for hormone issues, everything was healthy and normally functioning. So, it had to be something else. After tons of testing, much frustration with the doctors treating me like a mental patient - One doctor said one thing that stuck - maybe it wasn't the surgery, maybe it was a separate issue that was coming on when I had surgery.

I am a firm believer that it's never one thing - that a series of events, or ingredients culminates and creates in my case a problem. And I do believe it isn't always at the source - but related.

question is where?

honestly, I don't know when the dippy thing started. I have always been notorious for remembering where everything is, being very organized, etc. I can't say when it started, because it didn't occur to me until a month or so ago that I am unusually blond these days? very unlike me. I don't know if I'd say memory loss - I just find myself not being able to mentally file as I did before this started, and just not thinking clearly. Kind of fog headed. It comes and goes and the only pattern for any symptoms I've noticed is related to stress and tiredness. Also, the dropping thing I just started to notice doing this tile job over the weekend. I swear I was dropping every other piece one day. The next day I did well, my concentration was normal and no dropping?

I do pay attention to the things you are asking so I can better inform someone who may be able to help me. I notice no significant pattern. My joints hurt all the time everyday. And I feel tired a lot. I am practically freebasing Red bull these days.

otherwise being that "Pain is my friend" has always been my motto in sports, I guess it's a little ironic. I am very motivated to get some direction, at least feel I know what's up and am heading toward management at the very least.

The dropping thing is a little scary.
I keep joking to people 'oh, no biggie, it's just a brain tumor' :D

any ideas? sorry for the novel.....

[jjwq8]

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder?
Linda you have my absolute best wishes for continuing rude good health.
PTS is a sly bugger, shagged me royally aftyer my sojourn as a hostage in 1990, that and rampant senility which bushwacked me around puberty.
With PTS you are flat put convinced that you are totally cool with everything that has happened to you, rationalized it, compartmentalized it etc. I used to have an incredible memory for numbers. Tell me a phone once and that was it. Registered and locked away to be recalled whenever required. Now? Cow shit for brains, to quote Richard Pryor.

[Steven Hauser]

Hmmm..

Maybe. Tell me about your diet, sleep patterns, supplements, exercise type and duration, work type and duration.

Tim raised some excellent points.

Is there any family predisposition toward any particular condition?

Steven

[smee]

hey jeremy - aren't you supposed to be working on a diatribe about Earl of Ox and Richard III?

or did you do that, and i just forgot? I don't remember? ;)

[smee]

Hey Steven - yep, Tim had some good info. It's nice when someone actually can relate. It's a stumper for most, and well, you just start sounding like a wanker - which I really hate. So, if anything, thanks for letting me complain for a moment. I try not to indulge in that much.

No on the family thing. Everyone in my family seems to live to their 90's and 100's. Healthy, all.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Okay, so let's forget this and talk about the worlds problems - which is what we should be talking about....

jeremy - tell me, if you could be king for a day - what would you do?

[smee]

steven - sent you a pm...

[kemguru]

Originally posted by smee
So, if you don't mind saying so, what was your diagnosis ?

I just got a new doc, will be seeing him soon - and I really hope I won the lottery with this guy - cause I'm due. If one more doctor asks me " are you sure you aren't just depressed", I'm gonna lose my grease. :bang:

thanks for the info.


Ankylosing Spondylitis

Ankylosing spondylitis is a form of arthritis that primarily affects the spine. Spondylitis is an inflammation of the vertebrae, which are the building blocks of the spine.
· Spondylos is the Greek word for vertebra
· Ankylosing, from another Greek word, agkylosis, means causing stiffness and immobility of a joint
Inflammation is the body's response to a variety of causes of irritation or injury. In this disease, the inflammation causes:
· Swelling
· Stiffness in the joint between the pelvic bones (the ilium) and the wedge-shaped bone at the base of the spine (the sacrum)
· Pain
· Difficulty moving
Ankylosing spondylitis also can cause inflammation of the eyes, lungs, and heart valves.


Thanks, Yahoo Health :D

I also have inflammatory arthritis in hands, feet, knees, elbows and shoulders. This is not the AS, so they are still trying to figure that out. The Docs call me an interesting case. :D

My old Doc was at a loss. He did not feel comfortable pinpointing a specific name. So he called it Spondloatraphy (sp?) and soft tissue rheumatica (fibro). He had me try a dozen, or so, meds. Some crazy expensive. My insurance would not cover most because they were prescribed “off label”. They we not FDA approved for what he was trying to treat. It’s a common practice, but don’t expect insurance to cover it.

My new Doc diagnosed the AS. She put me on specific meds. They work and insurance now covers it. Easy as that. I start on a new one February 6. Stage 3 clinical trial, so it’s free. Otherwise it would be $1500 a month. Insurance usually fights those. ;)

I’m on Prednisone now, but still pop a fair amount of pain killers. That Prednisone is the reason I have not been participating in our “Thinset vs Thickset” thread. I’m up 10 pounds in the last month, due to the med. Jerry Lewis damn near exploded, due to Prednisone. :D

It’s tough to think clearly, for sure. Chronic pain consumes a person. I would just shake my head when you fitness gurus would talk about running 50 miles a week. :D Now, Linda, you see why. ;)

Please keep asking questions. We’ll get to the bottom of this. If you’re not seeing a Rheumatoligist…make an appointment. Pronto. :)

[smee]

Hey Tim - well, seems you've gone thru a great deal with this.
I can truly appreciate your situation on some level. I wish you didn't have to take the prednisone. that stuff is not good.
If It's helping you enough to be worth the side effects, I guess that's what you must do. I just don't know. something to think about. I know a woman that has taken that for an autoimmune disorder the name i can't think of, and finally got off it. It was really hard on her. I keep telling myself, that if I get a doctor that wants to do that I'm sticking with how I feel right now.
But, that is a personal choice. We all have to do what works for us.

I haven't seen a Rheumo Doctor yet. I spent 4 mos or so battling to get my doctor to even work with me. I just left that insurance, and have just started new insurance. I am hopeing that I have better luck this time, but I have to say, I am not looking forward to starting the process over again. taking the same tests - basically being thier little collubus monkey. But I realize I am at the mercy of the system. I feel bad even complaining about it at all. Growing up with four brothers, john wayne for a dad and a no complaining mom - uh, you basically had to have your arm cut off to get a bandaid. So, I get tired of even giving it air time.

Are you doing any specific type of diet? Did your doctor recommend any restrictions? and since you have such bad joint pain that walking or exercising on ground isn't feasible, have you considered a pool? Do they have you doing any physical therapy?

thanks for the info. As wierd as it sounds, it's nice to hear that someone does understand.

I feel for you.

[jjwq8]

Linda,
Dick 3 ....PTSS..... I forgot........actually to my complete chagrin I am somewhat busy these days, getting paid (at least I hope:D) monstrous sums holding down three Clients at once.

King for a day. DeCaprio type? King of the world?

Could it be on the day when all the world's other leaders are collected in one place? Then a tiny nuclear holocaust (nuetron bombs for the use of) at that exact location. :yeah:

Convicted Rapists- welcome to the eunuch farm.

Terrorists? top of the tallest structure and an invite to take the first step over the edge.

Murderers- welcome to the barbecue.

Sundry politicians - life sentenced to work in the welfare programmes they legislate.

Third world debt- repaid by the assholes who approved it in the first place.

All countries seeking nuclear weapons. - Ask where and when they would like delivery and let them have them complete with delivery system, at least complete to the point of impact.

The arab-israeli conflict? Hey I'm only King of the World not God Almighty :D

[jjwq8]

OK
Dick 3

Required of me some fast reading and I recommend this site for those unaware of it.

http://www.r3.org/rnt1991/contents.html

The links are stoting!

I especially liked this one

http://www.r3.org/rnt1991/sonsofedward.html

The preponderance of evidence suggests that he was in no way the poisonous cripple painted by and beloved of Shakespeare. I must admit to sympathy with the view that he has an unwarranted reputation for evil.

This is simply the clearest possible message that Shakespeare is not and must never be considered an Historian.

Wills wrote entertainment, period; and the victors wrote the history.

Most of Dick 3's foibles and troubles could be squarely blamed upon his dad Ted 4, one our more prolific "swordsmen", who sired 14 known children and a chinese puzzle of a legacy. T4 had no-compunction in terminating with extreme prejudice anyone or anything that displeased him, though he clearly deemed the education of his offspring of paramount importance. That D3 was not a raving psycho must be the influence of the Woodville genes.

[jjwq8]

Earl of Oxford as Wills?:x:

Not convinced.

Refer to Irvin Leigh Matus. Shakespeare In Fact:D

In fact I find the denials of Wills genius tiresome.

did he make use of the works of others? Undeniably. did he plagiarize? possibly, but none of his peers has come even close to his achievements. Why are they not celebrated ? Why would the De Vere deny what was his if rightfully so? Modesty doesn't fit the profile. Finally, please explain how he wrote from the grave:D

Do I despise Bill Gates. You betcha. Has he plgiarised? absolutely. used the work of others? absolutely. Is he a genius salesman? absolutely. do I begrudge him his reputation or his wealth? not a bit. are there others producing better products? no question. are they as popular? look around.

[John Bridge]

L.

Hate to digress from Shakespeare, but it occurs to me you ought to see an internist. I was having a problem of mega proportions that turned out to be something rather simple. The internist was referred to me by my cardiologist. You've got to hand this guy $300 when you walk into the office (before he sees you). He figured it out in about 5 minutes, and the problem has been resolved. I don't need to go into the particulars and bore you. The point is, nobody else had a clue, and this guy nailed it on the first visit. One follow-up visit ($90) and I haven't seen him since. Been a couple years. Best money I've ever spent. :)

[smee]

Jeremy -
Nice work as King. Maybe you need two days...

On D3 - he's not a woodville. He's father was Richard D of York, his brother was quite the swordsman indeed! Anyhoo - I'm quite sure he got a bad rap from ole Will - but, what a rumor, eh.

Shakespeares way of letting the light shine on the falibility of nobility. The ultimate character assassination.

I am amused by the Shakespearean 'controversy' - 'a borrower nor lender be'. I believe it was him and all him - as any creative force would, he took from his environment, friends both highborn and low, family, life experience, history - they were aggregates. Folks just can't have someone so much greater than them with such obvious genius that they have to find a way to lessen it.

Interesting analogy with Gates. I am not a fan of Bill Gates - but I can't take away what he's done. Perhaps if Shakespeare lived today - how can we know - he may be reviled.

John - thanks. being at the mercy of my insurance at this time - i am hoping I ended up with a good doctor. I will request that he recommend me to an internist. Lucky you. I would LOVE to find someone who could nail the problem.

[John Bridge]

Lucky me? I'm self-employed, remember? Insurance? :D

[jjwq8]

look at the site i just found:D

http://www.bibliomania.com/

[smee]

Oh jeeze, I know how expensive personal insurance is. I've been down that road before, yikes! However, in the system of PPO's, EPO's HMO's you have a little co-pay - but you pay. somewhere they get you, somehow.

Of course, the irony is my day job is in insurance - although not the "your in good hands" kind. It's more like the Wallstreet kind.

Jeremy - good site! Will have to check it out.

[jjwq8]

Linda. Insurance? :eek: :x:

Consider quitting before I am forced to fire you :D

[smee]

I know, I know.

here's my rational - I have the best boss in the world.
and it pays the bills. No headaches - 'cept I don't make enough, why? because I live in Ka lee Fornia.

Anyhoo, I don't sell insurance - in fact, I don't do much that involves insurance. Uronical? Why yes - it's Corporate America.

Believe me, I have my own war stories about dealing with insurance companies. Even the one I work for. But for now, it's my job.

[jjwq8]

OK,
two Hail Mary's

and you are required to feel contrite for at least two minutes :D

[smee]

I got two words

dot
bomb


beggers can't be choosers.

;)