Colon Cancer Update on March 16th

There's a FREE class being offered to the public on Colon Cancer:

What you need to know...
*Cancer is preventable.
*Colonoscopy is the gold standard.
*Lifestyle does make a difference (i.e., diet, exercise).

Speaker: Brian T. Paaso, MD
Gastroenterologist, Palo Alto Medical Foundation

Location: California State building, Monterey Room
455 Golden Gate Avenue, San Francisco

Date: Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Time: 12noon - 1pm

For more information, call 1-888-315-5988, or email education@cpic.org.

Visiting the Contagious

My brother is still contagious, still sitting in Sharp Hospital in the MICU ward. James, the physician's assistant, was very helpful in letting me know how contagious this MRSA is. He made me suit up -- wear a gown and gloves -- before I went into the room to see my brother.

But see him this morning I did. I even touched him, although he didn't really acknowledge the touch of cold latex. He was awake this time, though, and talkative. The MRSA bacteria is still working on his brain, though, confusing him, so what he said didn't make a whole lot of sense. He did say, "What's new?" which was quite amusing.

He's still under treatment for a virulent strain of MRSA, which had been allowed to go unchecked for a year. But he's alive. And improving.

MARSA Hits Close to Home

I'm currently in San Diego, where I am visiting my brother daily. My brother is in Sharp Hospital, where he's being treated for various things. At the top of the list: meningitis and MARSA.

I hadn't heard about MARSA before I got here. Apparently it's an invasive bacteria that worked its way into the spine and eventually caused meningitis. He's in the contagious ward of the ICU, the MICU. And, in order to go into the room, I have to suit up so that I'm protected.

So far there's been no need to go into the room, as I can see him from the doorway, and he's been asleep the entire time. He does wake up from time to time, answers questions briefly, but, according to the nurse, can't process much or have a heavy conversation. He most likely will not remember any visitors.

However, I have hope that he'll be more cognizant of what's going on today when I go in. If he is, I'll suit up and go on in. I'm leaving town today, at least for awhile. He's in good hands.