Poem/story-"Acts of love" by M. Detelj

Below is a poem/story to be performed at my next opening. Enjoy.

_______________________

“Acts of love”

Act I. The Past

I’ve held this hand too many a time to count, but you still look at me in your despondence and start to pout.

What am I? Who am I? Did I give you hope? I didn’t mean to ruin what love we had with moments in which I never spoke!

But it’s okay, you’ve learned your lesson. And whether or not you believe it, this isn’t depressing. This is success, a heart, it’s beating so loud. It beats for you, who too far are lost in the crowd. You need to open your eyes, see the beauty of the world, you need to understand the world doesn’t revolve around little boys and girls. There’s so much more out there, so much more than this. This is high school romanticism; something you wish you wouldn’t miss. Because four years from now, when you look back…if you mature like I did…you’ll find there is nothing to laugh at besides the silly faces, and the little notes. The slang language and hearts you broke. Your life is nothing when you stay so hidden, so secure not knowing how to live and…think! Think of where I am! Think of what I’ve done! Yeah I wear my badges and polish so they catch a reflection of the sun. Let it hit your eyes because there’s nothing more golden than understanding it could be your hand I am holding.

Act II. The Present

I have a gift, I’ve only given once.

The gift is “meaning” behind every touch.

I’ve bypassed my lust and sexual desires for something and someone I believe to be of higher power; “It’s you,” I whisper in her ear. “It’s you,” as I begin to tremble in fear. It’s been too long long since I’ve felt this insecure…it’s been so long. And now we are stumbling it seems ever so fast, but as long as we wish for love, the troubles cannot last…no…no the troubles, they will not last.

Act III. The Future

We’re climbing high now, there is nothing to hold us back. We are above the financial ruin and even years later, together we still smile. The love is there! The love is there! The love is there!

I’ve dreamt too long of this day and the time I spend with you is inevitable. We are a colossus and there is nothing above us. There are no troubles but our health as we continue to grow old, your hand still in mine and our lashes touching. The fear of death isn’t scary…no we aren’t scared.

Act IV. The End

It’s this hospital bed that makes death grim…but with you by my side…my side by you…it makes no difference.

We lived.

We Loved.

We Cared.

-Mike Detelj 2010

[Via http://mdetelj.wordpress.com]

Mission to Haiti: Dr. Jeff Mjaanes' Blog - First Day Treating Patients

Thursday, January 28, 9:39 p.m. Haitian time -

Our first day out in the field is over! We split into several smaller groups today:

1) The anesthesia group went to the General Hospital and worked in the OR with several teams from other countries.

2) A group of internists went to a clinic across the street from Adventist Hospital and saw about 170 patients.

3) A group went to the refugee camp and saw about 250 patients. Most of what we treated were infections, minor fractures and abdominal pain – mostly from people who have had minimal water and food for several days.

To get to our spot in the refugee camp, we had to cross the city. The damage from the earthquake (or as the Haitians call it “the event”) is truly astounding. We passed the school where 400 children died – three floors simply pancaked onto each other. We saw block after block of collapsed buildings, houses, shopping centers, supermarkets, etc. Every park is occupied by people living in makeshift tents made of sheets – we may be going to one of these the day after tomorrow. The devastation is simply catastrophic and very sobering.

Tomorrow, we will be going to similar sites – and our orthopedic and vascular teams will be splitting up to operate.

Overall, it was a challenging but rewarding day. More to follow…
Jeff

Haitian children

[Via http://rushnews.wordpress.com]

Advocacy and The Act of Out

Without question, this blog missive is not the first to be written regarding advocacy, mental illness and how out any of us are.  However, I’m going to bring it up again, based upon it happening to me (again.)

We wrote an exam in class today–which I totally forgot about, as I was too panicky in reading a new chapter last night.  I was even more panicky this morning, as public transit was royally screwed.  Like many of us, Aspie/AD(H)D spazzes, sticking to our rituals schedules, is extremely important!!! Not that I have control over things like public transit, but still!

So, we wrote the exam and I was talking to one of the other girls in the class.  We were comparing marks.  She scored a big-bang 100%! Yay, her! W00t! Wee PA? Despite her panicky, forgetful, winginess? 93%.  Now, I’m not looking for kudos, here.  I don’t care.  What this leads up to, is our discussion of just exactly why I need to be so, very careful regarding our exams.

I told her that I have Dysgraphia. I have mentioned this many times on my blog, but for those of you who don’t know what it is, I’ve tossed the Wiki link up again. She asked me what it was. Here we go!!!

I explained it to her (short and sweet, I can’t write well, messy, screw up my letters and numbers, reverse them, miss letters and then misspell things…)  Therefore, that is why I need to really pay attention with our tests, and why I still get things wrong when I damn well know the right answer! I told her that it is very common with people who are on the Autistic Spectrum and who have AD(H)D.  I then told her I have Asperger’s and ADD!

The girl said that she thought she had Dysgraphia too! The Instructor is a Nurse and blurted out: “What do you know about the Autistic Spectrum? Have you been diagnosed by a Doctor?” I just about killed myself laughing.

Some more questions ensued, and then I made my standard joke about my Medic-Alert Bracelet–that it’s amazing they could engrave everything that’s “wrong” with me on it.  She wanted to see it.  I said I have Bipolar as well, and Epilepsy.  I stopped there.  I mean, really.  Why keep going? However, you can obviously see that I am quite the “advocate” and quite “out?” I always have been, but I “advocate” in my own way.

I’m not one for soapboxes.  I don’t even think I am on my blog, but I may have to rely upon my readers to give me some insight on that one.  In terms of a “not-so-soapy-box,” like public speaking for an Advocacy Group? No.  I’ve never done that, but I could.  I just haven’t chosen that route.  I advocate in a more simple manner.  Basically how I did today.  I speak to people individually, or in a pair, a group of a few.  I just talk to them, “as me.”

And you know what? I’ve found it unbelievably powerful.  So many times, the people on the other end are wonderfully receptive.  They ask probing questions, they may have someone they know with mental health issues, and the ones that really make me happy? They’re the folks that actually have mental health issues themselves!

As soon as I open up, they slowly start to do the: “…well…eh…uh…I…erm…”  Do you know how awesome that is? I don’t probe.  I just sit and listen.  Who knows if these people have told anyone else before but me?! The last thing I would want to do is freak them out!

So.  Anyone else? Want to talk about how you “advocate?” How “out” you are?

[Via http://patientanonymous.wordpress.com]

But isn't evolution 'only' a theory?

Not in medicine as an applied science; it is a basic and necessary understanding.

A recent series of article in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) discusses the role of evolutionary biology in modern medicine. The authors collectively make a forceful point – medicine is an applied science. It is based upon a number of basic sciences, and one of those basic sciences is evolution.

Many examples in medicine provide a compelling case that evolutionary principles are important to understanding populations, genetics, infectious disease, diet, and other issues of public health – in diagnosis, treatment, and research. Therefore, the authors argue, evolution is an important topic for medical professionals to understand .

Increasing the basic science standards for medical students can only help the goals of science-based medicine, and I am glad to see that evolutionary biology is being recognized as the core basic science that it is.

From Steve’s post Evolution in Medicine at Science-Based Medicine

[Via http://questionablemotives.wordpress.com]

X-Ray Department and Laboratory Area in Free Medical Camp at Manav parivar in Matar

Good morning friends,

Yesterday was a busy day again in Free Medical Camp at Manav Parivar in Matar.  As always expected, lots of patient visited.  They were checked and given a proper medicine.

Patients in X-Ray Department at Manav Parivar

This picture is the X-Ray Department in Manav Parivar.  All the patients who needed X-ray were lead to this laboratory area.   The patients were brought to this area for all possible laboratory test which was prescribed by the volunteer doctors.

 

Volunteers iinside the Laboratory Area at Manav Parivar

 This was the volunteers at Manav Parav which was assigned to the X-ray Department.  After some testing done by them, they were checking the result.  As you can see the second picture was a volunteer doctor.  A pathologist.  He was checking the report on Semi-Auto Analyzer Machine.

Manav Parivar   has a complete medical facilities and enough supplies.

[Via http://volunteering4all.wordpress.com]

Hazımsızlık bitkilerle tedavi ediliyor

BİTKİLERLE MODERN TEDAVİ

Dr. Ahmet Toptaş

 

HAZIMSIZLIK

         Hazımsızlık karın bölgesinin üst kısmında ağrı, erken doyma, şişkinlik, gaz, bulantı, yanma şikayetleriyle ortaya çıkar. Aynı zamanda ishal ve kabızlık görülebilir, üzüntü ve sıkıntı ile şikayetler artar.

         Hastalığın nedenleri arasında barsak tembelliği, ülser, gastrit, sindirim salgılarının yetersizliği, barsak hareketlerinin yavaşlığı, stres sayılabilir.

         Hazımsızlık şikayetlerinde kullanılan çok az sayıda kimyasal-sentetik ilaç bulunmaktadır, öncelikle bitkiler kullanılmalıdır.

         Bitkisel ilaçların etkileri hafif, istenmeyen ( Yan, zararlı) etkileri çok az, etki çeşitliliği fazla ve tedavi alanı geniştir. Tahammülü kolay olduğu için hastalar tarafından da tercih edilmektedir.

         Sinirsel esaslı şikayetlerde sakinleştirici bitkilerin ( Kediotu kökü, şerbetçiotu çiçeği, lavanta ve bunların karışımı) desteği sağlanmalıdır.

         Tedaviye destek olarak içki ve sigara içilmemeli, fazla yağlı yenmemeli, meyve-sebze ağırlıklı beslenmeye özen gösterilmeli, lokmalar iyice çiğnenmelidir.

         Hazımsızlık şikayetlerinde çok sayıda bitki ve bunların karışımları kullanılabilmektedir. Burada bunlardan bazıları belirtilmektedir. Bitki esansları ( Eterik yağ) ülkemizde ilaç kalitesinde kontrollü olarak henüz üretilmediği için kullanım şekilleri açıklanmamıştır.

Çay karışımı ( Fixe kombination):

Anason tohumu              30 gr

Frenk kimyonu tohumu   60 gr

Rezene tohumu               60 gr

Tohum karışımı kullanılmadan hemen önce dövülmeli veya öğütülmelidir.

1 çay kaşığı karışım fincana konur, üzerine 150 ml kaynar su ilave edilir, ağzı kapalı olarak 10 dakika demlenir, süzülür. Çayı taze hazırlanarak yemeklerden sonra içilir.

Karışım sindirimi hızlandırır, gaz ve kramp giderici etki gösterir.

Hekim tavsiyesi olmadan 2 haftadan uzun süre kullanılmamalıdır ( Karışımda rezene bulunduğu için).

Çay karışımı ( Fixe kombination):

Nane yaprağı                  50 gr

Frenk kimyonu tohumu   25 gr

1 yemek kaşığı karışım kullanmadan hemen önce dövülür, fincana konur, üzerine 150 ml kaynar su ilave edilir, ağzı kapalı olarak 10 dakika demlenir, süzülür. Çayı taze hazırlanarak yemeklerden sonra içilir.

Bu karışım gaz, şişkinlik ve mide-barsak bölgesindeki hafif kramplarda kullanılır.

Çay karışımı ( Fixe kombination):

Nane yaprağı                  25 gr

Frenk kimyonu tohumu   25 gr

Rezene tohumu               25 gr

1 yemek kaşığı karışım kullanımdan hemen önce dövülür veya öğütülerek fincana konur, üzerine 150 ml kaynar su ilave edilir, ağzı kapalı olarak 10 dakika demlenir, süzülür. Çayı taze hazırlanarak yemeklerden sonra içilir.

Bu karışım (rezene nedeniyle) hekim tavsiyesi olmadan 2 haftadan uzun süre kullanılmamalıdır.

Çay karışımı ( Fixe kombination):

Karahindiba kökü ve otu 50 gr

Nane yaprağı                  25 gr

Enginar yaprağı              25 gr

Bitki kısımları kıyılarak karıştırılır ve cam kavanozda muhafaza edilir.

1 yemek kaşığı karışım fincana konur, üzerine 150 ml kaynar su ilave edilir, ağzı kapalı olarak 10 dakika demlenir, süzülür. Çayı taze hazırlanarak yemeklerden sonra içilir.

Bu karışım özellikle safra yollarının normal çalışmamasına bağlı olarak görülen karın boşluğunun üst kısmındaki kramplarda kullanılır.

Kaynaklar:

1-     Dr. Ahmet Toptaş, Alman kanunlarına göre düzenlenip izin verilen BİTKİLERLE MODERN TEDAVİ, Gonca Yayınevi, İstanbul 2009, ISBN: 978-9944-790-31-4, (0212) 5285076-5286005.

2-     Dr. Ahmet Toptaş, ÇÖREKOTU Tepeden tırnağa şifa deryası, Gonca Yayınevi, İstanbul 2008, ISBN: 978-9944-62-613-2, (0212) 5285076-5286005.

[Via http://w2q3.wordpress.com]

Painting Rocks

I fear it is time to paint rocks and generally police the browser. Several articles of note have accumulated that have not quite crystallized into maturity of thought but the load time each morning has gotten too burdensome especially as we approach the weekend – with rain – and must suffer the slings and arrows of the ISP’s weather bandwidth inadequacies. Or whatever it is that shuts down service on weekends, especially Sunday mornings.

The first article is one in National Geographic [Link] – no mammaries in sight and hence possibly suitable for work unless you work in one of those organizations that is mystically fanatic and doesn’t condone associates thinking about evolution. The gist is that a recent (?) discovery at Gesher Benot Ya’aqov indicates that the spatial and social ordering implicit in sedentaryness, which up till now we though invented near the end of the last cold phase, was actually invented by Homo Erectus 0.75 MYA. That means that what we thought of as a recent (~15-10 KYA) human social invention has actually been around for much longer and likely as not its emergence then was more a factor of circumstances permitting it than any actual invention.

More crucially it would seem that civilization is part of our make up as humans. So much for the back-to-Nature bunch. Not that I do not enjoy an occasional hike through the woods – but not in summer when the sticker bushes and vines are in full sting, which puts the lie to the 15th Alibam’s march on Little Round Top – or the like, but going back to being a hunter-gatherer. No thank you. I have enough excretory problems as is.

On a related (?) note the folks at the Yankee government’s DARPA are warning of the extinction of the American nerd (another case of the media not understanding the difference between geeks and nerds.) [Link] I would take this a bit more seriously if the pronouncement of doom were not coming from an organization who has an absolutely consistent track record of failure. Their current propagandized success story is more a matter of the Yankee government’s imitation of Soviet era centralism – a somewhat natural characteristic of war aftermath – and elimination of the labs that actually did stuff. Of course the good side of this is that it makes NASA look good. After all NASA only spend 0.5 of its budget on publicity; DARPA seems to spend more and accomplishes less accordingly. But they do brag and arrogant well.

I have come to suspect that the reason so few are studying nerd subjects is because they require so much individual hard work. Being a scientist is not social – unless you are a social scientist – and I will not get into the morass of whether social science is science or not – and therefore interferes with texting and tweeting and what like. It also involves maths which are fundamentally individual and not a group incompetence thing. Which is were the evolution thing comes in.

With the news that the New Yawk Times is going to start charging for on-line access next year, I note an article from Columbia Journalism Review [Link] dealing with how many people will pay for news on-line. As is known to those rare few who actually frequent this blog, this is a matter of interest here, mostly because, as is appropriate for blogging, I am unsure of what my own opinions are. If I were it would not be recurring except to denigrate fools and idiots – people who disagree with me, in the main.

I am cogitating whether I would pay for NYT access. It is already a pain to have to log on those few times, a couple a week, that I visit their WS. And most of those are pointers from eNewsletter, usually the one from American Scientist, which VERY definitely ain’t of the depravity and degradation of Scientific American. But this places me in the situation that if Sigma Xi, the parent of AS, continues to cite NYT articles after they institute paywall, of deciding to discontinue paying attention to Sigma Xi. Not that they don’t have a very low pony to pile ratio as is, but what pony they do have is very good pony.

Somewhat more toothsome, is an indication of the ingestion of Omega 3 fatty acids and the conservation/preservation of telomeres. [Link] Like most folks who have cardiac infirmities I have to swallow acetylsalicitic acid and omega 3 pills every day, and the latter are more the size of suppositories than pills. Not that I mind that, I actually have more problems with the little pills getting lost in my mouth rather than going down the esophagus than getting big pills down. And while the old saw about correlation not being causation is accurate, we have to recall that physicians and biologists are the least maths aware nerds there are. In fact, they usually have to hire mathematicians to do things they should have learned as sophomores but somehow lack, for whatever reason. Hence we can expect that a lot of physicians may tell us another ‘reason’ for taking these fish pills.

And lastly, from the campus of the Boneyard, comes some research that indicates driving compromises the ability the process language. [Link] This is not quite in the oh-yeah class of academic research that merely confirms what rational observant folks have known but didn’t have a handout from the Yankee government to write up. Anyway, it confirms why we don;t drive well when the automobile is full of yakking folks – especially shul bus drivers! – and why any use of cellular phones should be forbidden by some method other than the irresolute whim of the constabulary. IOW, let us muzzle the kids on the buses and put cellular suppressors in all automobiles!

Ain’t it nice when science supports you individual convictions! ALmost like the warm and fuzzy satisfaction of superstition.

[Via http://smpctryphys.wordpress.com]