Randomness

[Alelou]

Fascinating.

Though I could also see the potential here for a whole lot of agonizing about things that wouldn't ever become dangerous (there are some theories that we're all afflicted with some number of cancer cells from time to time, and problems don't really arise until our immune system can't shut them down successfully, or we get a particularly aggressive form of it).

But that's why we have clinical testing. I hope this works out!

[Distracted]

I'm thinking... hoping, really... that testing will still require a healthcare provider's order. Direct to consumer diagnostic testing is fraught with problems. Not a good idea at all.

[panyasan]

LOL!

Has the job fear proved to be unfounded, so you can relax on that front?

I problably hear in a couple months what's going to happen, until then I have to see how things developed. But thank you very much for asking.

Just remember at his age he can damn near hit the ceiling. I would strongly discourage any gambling relative to how far up the wall.....

O boy. That's just the kind of thing my brothers in law would do.

Now I am going to read that article of Weeble in the Wall Street Journal.....

[Weeble]

Dis,

I certainly understand your concerns, but i looked at it differently actually two future possibilities crossed my mind. And I figure if Walgreens does their usual, competition will force down price.

1. I have a annual physical and I can get my bloodwork done prior so that my GP has it when I arrive. I have a very good GP.

2. I can get my own bloodwork when I want it, especially if I am monitoring a situation. I would never attempt to displace my GP.

Ok 3. The words college drop out, venture capital and entrepreneur are magical to me. I still have hope.

[Distracted]

The main issue I have with direct to consumer blood testing is the fact that blood test results require training to interpret. People go to school for years to learn how. It's flat out dangerous for the general public to be deciding what blood tests to do on themselves. A large number of problems could result from people having tests run and then doing the wrong things with the results because they have no idea what they're looking at. Millions of dollars could potentially be wasted doing unecessary tests to follow up abnormal lab tests that should never have been done to begin with. Members of the general public do not usually have sufficient medical knowledge to know what tests to do, nor do they usually have enough knowledge to know what to do with the results once they get them. Deciding what tests are necessary and what to do with the results once they're in is 90% of what I do all day. It's not nearly as simple as most people think.

[Weeble]

Certainly understand your concerns and I agree with them. A example for me is my Vitamin D level which I have to supplement. The joys of being up north especially in the winter. It would be nice to go and get a cheap test (with my GP writing a scrip that I only would get the Vitamin D level) and getting them monthly instead of each February with the annual physical.
Still and all right now you can get blood sugar test gear and home drug test gear. I wonder what other tests might be safe and simple. I especially liked the angle where the vampires don't need the 4 vials.

I also have a niece in school for Phlebotomy and she's gonna need a job in a few years....

[Asso]

Each test request has a story behind of knowledge and thoughtful choices. Any test interpretation has a story behind of knowledge and thoughtful choices.
Is it wrong to believe that the fact that each of us chooses (if he wants it and if it is possible) a precise road that others do not follow and that, consequently, they may not know such as him, has some meaning?

[Alelou]

Eh, I predict that with the American health care system, there's no way this is going to bypass the possibility of the profits available through hospitals and insurers. Nor should it, honestly, except for simple tests the patient can interpret himself. (We already allow pregnancy tests, HIV tests, blood sugar tests...)

Weeble, Vitamin D doesn't fluctuate that quickly, is the impression I get (when I was on prescription drugs for it, I took one pill a week). You could always ask your doctor to check it twice a year if you have the feeling it's out of whack. Once in winter and once in summer might make sense. (I just got mine tested along with iron -- which I was indeed getting low in once again -- and was surprised that my D was still relatively low (low within the normal range) at this time of year, given that I've been supplementing it steadily. Then again, I've been on the computer too damned much.

[Weeble]

I take 4000 units daily and am almost dead center in range. At least in February. Initially I was at the very bottom of the range and my doc recommended 2000, a year later bumped it to 4000 been there ever since. I was fascinated by Vitamin D and its effects on so many processes inside the body, definitely want to keep in mid-range. I figure with all of the outdoor time this year, berry picking, fishing, kayaking I am probably good for a while.
Alelou - get outside, its good for you. Besides you and I know that cold white crap can appear almost any time now.

[Alelou]

I'm looking forward to the cold white crap, or at least the first hard freeze. I'm getting a little paranoid about being outside unless it's bright and windy. We've got ticks carrying three different nasty diseases everywhere and mosquitoes carrying Eastern Equine Encephalitis flying around. They're so voracious this time of year they don't even seem too fazed by the repellent. Which is to say maybe they don't land and bite if I'm protected, but they form a nasty whining cloud around me anyway. And of course they love to hang out in the foliage of the plants I'm harvesting each day.

Maybe I'll tweak up my dosage of vitamin D for awhile. The days are getting shorter, and I noticed an improvement in my vision and general health when I started taking it.

[Bether6074]

I didn't get Lyme this year yet, though the deer are still everywhere. I did, however, have Lyme last summer. Willow (our dog) had both Lyme and Anaplasmosis last year. Scary since she's on tick prevention and I've never seen a tick on her.

I've sometimes pondered what occurs with me when I enjoy a television romance. I always seem to end up liking the actor too. Now do I like the actor first and then like the couple because I like the actor? Could it be that I like the couple first and then start watching the actor, and eventually start liking him too? Hmm...deep questions. My latest enjoyment has been watching the couple in Castle. I think I may have my answer to this meaningful question. Couple first. I was certain this actor wasn't doing anything special for me, but I sense now that's starting to change. He's beginning to look more attractive to me lately. Curious.

Maybe I've just been taking too many psychology and brain courses in school.

At any rate, I thought it would be nice to stop by and say hello.

Life has been especially challenging lately and a little fantasy now and then helps. I never did see the new Star Trek movie. It's out on pay per view now, though, so maybe tonight.

Take care everyone.

[Alelou]

Maybe it's time to fit in a lunch, Bether. My life has developed some new challenges, too.

I distinctly remember thinking Connor Trinneer was not my type before I fell for his character's charm. Eventually I began to consider him quite a lovely young man. He seems likable as a person, but Trip's the one I'm enamored of.

If you like Nathan Fillion on Castle, you'll probably love him on Firefly. His character was younger and oppressed rather than successful, but the personality shines through in a pretty similar way.

[Bether6074]

Lunch sounds great!

I guess it's been a while since I watched the Firefly DVD. I didn't even realize Nathan Fillion was on the show. I'll have to check that out, thanks. I do really like the Castle character. I loved the Trip character as well, but I think it's all the familiar mannerisms and gestures the actors have that eventually win me over. CT has so many of those.

[Kevin Thomas Riley]

Hello again! I'm back from Israel. It was a fun and interesting trip, but now I'm totally exhausted... We saw a lot of things - Masada, Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Caesarea, Acre etc. - and still missed so much I just have to go back there in the future. We even got lost driving on the West Bank...

[Distracted]

Now that's a scary thought. What do you do if you get really lost? Ask directions? I don't think I'd have the nerve.