purple goodness

I know it looks kind of blue but it's actually the most beautiful shade of purple.

It's Scribble Lace, using a recipe from Mason-Dixon Knitting. It's the simplest of patterns, knit on big needles.

The thin yarn (for those who care) is alpaca that I bought on a crazy trip to Stitches East (near Valley Forge, PA) in October 2002, while pregnant with D. I meant to make him a baby sweater but the years got away from me and it has now become a shawl and this scarf.

The thick yarn was created by the amazing Pocketina, of D.Y.I. not D.I.E.

My kids both clamoured to model for me (and to be on the blog).

I think S. looks quite dashing.


D. was keen but I couldn't get him to stand still.

It gives you some sense of how long the thing is, though. I made it long enough to be wrapped several times around the wearer's neck but it stretched like crazy when I washed and hung it to dry.

This lovely bit of purple-ness is destined to be a present for someone near and dear. I want to keep the thing for myself, I love it so much but I will make myself give it away.

I had better see her wear it.

Lots.

Latest "Health Wonk Review" is Up

The newest version of Health Wonk Review is now up over at Richard Eskow's "The Sentinel Effect." It a sample of some of the best posts from the world of health care blogs and worth a read.

Drug Reimportation from Canada––The Drug Industry Loves It

Well, the illegal kind of reimportation anyway.For many years we have been debating the issue of drug reimportation--the importation of American drugs from other nation's, such as Canada, at much lower prices which their government-run systems enable their pharmacies to charge.Drug reimportation was never going to be much of a solution to America's high drug price problems--just how many excess

frighteningly funny

I am feeling much better than I usually do on the day after chemo but still pretty tired.

I can't stop thinking, though, about my friend Flippy's recent "Idiot of the Day" post. It's funny, yet pretty scary; an American stereotype, illustrated.

I can tell you, though, having had a recent taste of regular insomnia, I would be ready to string the flag flying car dealer up his own flag pole.

Check it out and let me know what you think.

Giuliani, McCain, and Romney--Where Are Their Health Care Plans?

Looking at the leading Republican candidates for president you wouldn't think health care is much of an issue.In fact, finding anything the top three Republican candidates have said regarding health care is sort of like playing, "Where's Waldo."A recent tour of their official campaign Websites:Rudy Giuliani - Click on "On the Issues" on Giuliani's Website and health care isn't listed as one of

Clinton, Edwards, Obama--Offering Health Care Reform Proposals More Similar Than Different

In sailboat racing there is a strategy called "covering." It means that when your competitor makes a move you make exactly the same move. That way, you have covered their every move and they can't get away from you because of any new tactic they aim to employ.When you "cover" you intentionally stay even during that phase of the race--you have no intention of getting ahead at that point.On health

sleep eludes me

I didn't order a four o'clock wake up call.

Nothing like insomnia to make you go a little (a lot) crazy.

output and input

My neighbourhood has a giant garage sale every year at this time. This year, T. and S. decided that we should participate, something we have never done in the past.

T. wisely, decided that, in order to keep things manageable, we should focus on selling books. Despite my skepticism at the potential for success (we live on the edge of the neighbourhood, surrounded by neighbours who typically don't participate), I soon got into the spirit of things.

The process of culling our books was quite satisfying, although as I type this, I am looking at about 100 books that, although they have been boxed for years, we couldn't bear to sell.

We still managed to put together a respectable assortment, though.


I was impressed with the degree to which T. and S. seemed to be in their element, as they staffed our little table. They both seem to revel in the interactions with people as much of the selling of books.

They made almost fifty dollars, too.

And I am pleased to say that T. resisted selling our backyard table, despite receiving several offers.

S. spent his share on a couple of books that neighbours were selling, along with a Godzilla video and a Good Charlotte cd.

Partway through the morning, D. and I went to check out what our neighbours were selling. People kept giving him stuff. We only went one block and he came back with more than he could carry.


I hope he uses his charisma to do good in the world and not to fleece little old ladies out of their life savings.

Hillary Clinton Outlines the First Elements of Her Health Care Reform Plan

Hillary Clinton took the first steps in outlining her health care reform platform this week. This time focusing on the underlying problem in the health care system--costs.They were just first steps, fairly vague and hardly controversial.We hear that she will deliver two more speeches in the future outlining her thinking on quality and insurance coverage.This is how Mrs. Clinton says she would

$6 Billion for Something Called aQuantive and $1.3 Billion for Chrysler--What's Wrong With This Picture?

A lead story in Saturday's Wall Street Journal caught my eye: "Microsoft agreed to buy online-ad specialist aQuantive for $6 billion."Then there was the big story on Friday: Private equity firm buys 80% of Chrysler for $1.3 billion. The private equity firm will also contribute $6 billion to Chrysler and the separated Chrysler will assume all of the estimated $19 billion in health and pension

dear friends i visited on monday:

Spending time with you is always good for me.

You are not toxic.

much, much love,

L.

Bush Administration Threatens to Veto Democratic Budget if it Doesn't "Address the Unsustainable Growth in Entitlement Spending"--What Chutzpah!!

President Bush spent considerable political capital passing the Part D Medicare drug benefit. That benefit alone increased the long-term Medicare unfunded liability by $8 trillion over the next 75 years. All of Medicare now has a $32 trillion unfunded liability.The President used substantial political capital just after his reelection trying to change the Social Security system because he made

much better

Decided to jettison all activities that did not nourish the soul today.

And to eat some chocolate.

I'm feeling much, much better.

The “Realistic” Way to Do Health Care Reform

There is a debate about whether we ought to do incremental health care reform as the political process allows us to do so, or whether that is a major waste of time unless we deal with all of the big problems--particularly soaring costs--in a comprehensive way.This Massachusetts health care reform experience and all the problems it is having comes to mind as a case in point.In March, the Senate

toxic

I have been doing my best these last few months to nurture healthy relationships.

And to avoid those that are toxic.

Unfortunately, this cannot always be avoided.

The price I pay for this feels higher than it once did.

I am exhausted today.

And sad.

am i being unreasonable?

I live on a busy intersection.

The Ottawa Senators just won their conference final and are going to the Stanley Cup.

I know this is a big deal.

Is it right that I am feeling really annoyed with the neighbours who are sitting on their front lawn with a sign that reads 'Go Sens Go!' and a big Senators flag and getting drivers to honk their horns while they yell?

I have closed all the windows.

But it is really annoying. And loud.

Am I lacking in civic pride?

"Florida Health News" Debuts

Always glad to plug folks doing a good job in the states.If you are interested in health care policy and market activities in Florida, check out the Florida Health News, sponsored by the Florida Health Policy Center.It's a non-profit run by folks now doing it as a labor of love.So--to all of you making tons of money in health care down in Florida--give them a hand!

do's and don'ts for health care professionals

Do introduce yourself (I once had a doctor come into a room and start writing on my chest without introducing himself).

Don't look horrified when I tell you I have metastatic breast cancer.

Do ask my permission before turning my test/appointment/treatment into a lesson for a student.

Don't talk about me as though I am not in the room.

Don't ask me questions about my treatment that are irrelevant to the procedure being performed and/or outside your sphere of knowledge.

Don't tell me about your aunt/friend/cousin who was unsuccessfully treated for cancer.

Don't tell me that the above mentioned aunt/friend/cousin was unsuccessfully treated with one of the drugs I have told you has been part of my regimen.

Do thank me for my patience, especially if the test/treatment/procedure took twice as long as it normally would because you are still learning how to do it.

The California HealthCare Foundation Launches a New Site Following California Health Reform

An excellent non-partisan website covering health reform efforts in California has recently launched--CalHealthReform.org.They explain themselves:"Health care reform has become a major topic of discussion and a key priority for California policymakers in 2007. The California HealthCare Foundation (CHCF) is working to inform statewide efforts to expand access to affordable care and coverage. CHCF

The Kerry Reinsurance Plan--Important Improvements and the Need for Fundamental Cost Containment

My good friend, Richard Eskow, on his blog "The Sentinel Effect," has published another one of his thoughtful posts this time commenting on John Kerry's proposal to have the federal government absorb large health claim costs from employers: "John Kerry's Reinsurance Bill: Will it Work?"Richard is responding to an earlier post I did (John Kerry's Health Reinsurance Idea is Counter Productive--

i lied

I am not going to blog about the echocardiogram tonight.

My son wore me out.

D. is still awake and I am ready to pass out.

I hope this means he won't be up tomorrow morning at sunrise.

The Debate Over Medicare Advantage Funding--The NAACP Goes "Whoops!" and Stark Tries to Start a "Food Fight" Over Who Has to Come Up With the Money

The History--Skip it if you do this everyday.The Democratic Congress needs billions to offset the 10% Medicare physician fee cuts that will happen on January 1st if action isn't taken and to reauthorize the bipartisan State Children's Health Insurance Program (S-CHIP).S-CHIP will take at least $15 billion over five years--many Democrats (but not enough) want to expand it for a total cost of $50

Health Wonk Review--Recent Posts Worthy of Your Time

Health Wonk Review is a biweekly compendium of the best of the health policy blogs. More than two dozen health policy, infrastructure, insurance, technology, and managed care bloggers participate by contributing their best recent blog postings to a roving digest, with each issue hosted at a different participant's blog. For participants, it's a way to network and share ideas, and for those

i read a book today

Reading is good. I highly recommend it. See the list of books on the right of this page? I have been logging the books I read at LibraryThing. I have only been entering the books I read this year.

And I haven't included the books I haven't been able to finish (including one I dropped after 350 pages because it was depressing the hell out of me).

This totally satisfies my compulsive list-making tendencies.

I also I had an echocardiogram today.

I'll write about that tomorrow.

As Part D Drug Prices are Rising are Profits Falling?

The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee says the prices paid by consumers for the ten most prescribed drugs in the Part D program rose an average of 6.8% since December. At the same time, the committee says wholesale prices have risen just 3%.The committee also says that rebates from the drug companies to the Part D players total 4.6% of total drug costs--down from 5.2% last year.

a beautiful day

My friend C., my dog, J. and I went for a drive through the Ottawa Valley and a walk in the Shaw Woods today.

We had a late lunch (perogies and cabbage rolls, washed down with a cold beer) here.

I am kicking myself for forgetting to bring my camera. You will have to make do with these links.

The dog and I are both tired and content this evening.

And very grateful to C. for coming up with the idea for this trip and for making it happen (and for knowing about the woods and the perogies).

Chemo tomorrow.

And then a week off.

The Massachusetts Health Plan--Even the Uninsured Deserve Choices

The publisher of Health Market Survey returns with comments on what he believes is the fatal flaw in the new Massachusetts health plan:The Danger In The Massachusetts Health Planby Bill BoylesReputable and well-meaning people continue to applaud the Massachusetts health plan as a flawed but solid first start on covering the uninsured. A guest New York Times columnist last week fell into the trap

i don't have cancer

My youngest son, D. and I left the house at 1:30 this afternoon. He rode in the stroller and I pushed him.

We were bound for the library, but as he announced that he was taking a nap, I took the long way and walked for an hour along the canal.

We chose movies and books at the library and then went for pizza slices. I read to him (from the books he'd brought in his backpack) while we ate.

We then moved on to our local fair trade coffee shop for iced green tea with mint (me) and chocolate milk (him). We read the library books on the patio.

Then it was time to make stops for dog treats (for the dog) and a new toothbrush (for D.).

When our errands were done, we went to the park where I chased him around for a while and then chatted with a couple of other moms I know, while he played.

Then we went home for dinner. We had been out for four and a half hours.

After dinner I washed D.'s hair (despite his howls of protest) and then sat with him as he played in the bath. Finally, I dried him off, got him ready for bed, read him two stories and kissed him goodnight.

Does this sound like a day in the life of a cancer patient?

Not to me, it doesn't.




The pics were taken on Thursday evening, when D. opened his birthday present from my mom (it was her first chance to give it to him), a jean jacket and matching jeans.

No child has ever been more thrilled at a gift of clothing. The pictures were taken at his insistence. He calls this his "gangsta" pose.

He has clearly been spending too much time with the teenagers who hang around his home day care (thank goodness they are all really great kids). His first words Friday morning were, " I want to wear my jacket and jeans to show J. and J.," (his caregiver's sons).

When we pointed out that it was going to be way too hot out for the jacket and jeans, he countered with, "But I want to look cool."

He wore both pieces that day and has worn them every day since.

nine quick years

Nine years ago today, I was at home, exhausted and overwhelmed with joy.

My first born, S., makes me so proud to be his mother. He is smart, loving, funny and empathic. And he has a wicked sense of humour.

To be his mother is to constantly be surprised, challenged and to take great joy in watching him grow up.

And we do have fun.

Getting S. to smile in a picture is a challenge but I set out to meet this goal.

Posing him with his present, the complete Season Two of Doctor Who helped to elicit his trademark half-smile.

But what really got to him was when I imitated Pearl from the Landlord ("I want my money!").



I had to throw in a gratuitous shot of my boy and his dad. I love how much they look like each other.

But S. has his mother's eyes.

The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Leads by Example--The Importance of Reaching Out in the Health Care Debate

Fundamental health care reform will not occur until the traditional opponents in the debate are willing to work together to build the foundation for a national consensus on how our health care system will work. No one side is ever going to win this debate and until the big players come to understand that the health care debate will give us more frustration than results.The Service Employees

The Senate’s Mixed Message on Drug Reimportation—They Voted For it Before They Voted Against It!

To be completely fair, they actually voted against it before they voted for it but the outcome is the same.A whole lot of Senators now go down as voting for the ability of drug wholesalers, retailers, and consumers to bring drugs in from industrialized nations where prescription drugs are a lot cheaper. This provision was one that could have really had an impact on drug prices.While drug

a song by d.

"I love my Mama
And she is so beautiful.
But she doesn't read me comic books
She reads me books.

I love my Papa, too.
And he reads me comic books
And he reads me books."

every third tuesday

Too stoned too blog.

Medicare Advantage Private Fee-For-Service Programs Take a Big Hit in New York Times Article

The health insurance industry's attempts to justify the Medicare Advantage private fee-for-service (PFFS) product took a big hit in a story in the New York Times today.The Medicare Advantage experiment was supposed to be about proving that the market could provide better cost and quality care then the traditional government-run Medicare program.Instead, Medicare Advantage, and in particular its

grossly stable

To paraphrase my ultrasound report, I still have extensive metastasis but my condition is "essentially grossly unchanged."

My other organs are "unremarkable."

There is no fluid buildup.

"IMPRESSION: Grossly stable liver disease."

Jeez, do you you think the radiologist could have qualified her opinions any more ("Please note that it is extremely diffficult to accurately compare between 2 ultrasound studies.")?

I'll take it, though.

My liver functions are pretty close to normal again, too.

So....still don't know what is causing the stitch but it's not bigger tumours eating my liver.

My doctor who works with my oncologist is going to order another CT scan (which can provide a more detailed analysis) but doesn't feel this needs to be done urgently. It will be ordered for a couple of months from now, as part of regular testing (and in lieu of my next ultrasound).

That reassured me as much as anything.

I am very relieved.

And about to pour myself a glass of red wine.

Thank you all so much for your comments, emails and other messages.

You are my support group.

once burned

I have been trying very hard to think positively this week.

This was greatly helped by my naturopath who walked me through a terrrific relaxation exercise. And for the rest of this week, I have been dutifully repeating, "Every day and in ever way, I am getting better and better," along with the more cumbersome, "Negative thoughts and negative feelings do not influence me at any level of my mind."

And it's been working.

Until today.

Today I heard that insistent voice that started as a whisper and built to a roar, the voice that reminds me that I was pretty damn positive when I first went through treatment and before I knew that the cancer had metastasized.

A fat lot of good it did me then.

But it is not helpful to imagine my tumours growing, imagine myself sick from a more toxic chemo regimen, imagine myself dying.

Or to imagine trying to explain to my children that Mama is dying.

Not helpful at all.

Mind you, I do believe in the value of a good meltdown and wish that tears came to me more easily.

But dwelling on the unthinkable does not help me cope with stress.

And there is some evidence that positive thought can actually help with healing.

So....all together now: "Every day and in every way, I am getting better and better."

Ultrasound results tomorrow.

John Kerry's Health Reinsurance Idea is Counter Productive--Kerry Would Transfer All Health Care Costs Above $50,000 to the Feds

Senator John Kerry (D-MA) has rewarmed a health care proposal from his failed presidential campaign in 2004.Kerry is proposing that the federal government reimburse (or reinsure) an employer's health care costs for any worker incurring more than $50,000 in annual costs. The employer would have to offer a comprehensive health plan to its workers below this point and also offer wellness

the laws of domesticity

For the last couple of days, I have been consumed with cooking and cleaning.

This is very unlike me.

The enthusiasm will likely wear thin really soon because:

a) in my house, as soon as you turn your back on something you've cleaned, it is messy again and

b) the more I clean and attempt to organize the more overwhelmed I get by all the clutter, crap and random bits of things I do not recognize. It's as though, at some point, a giant came along and took all our stuff (and we have a lot of it) put it all in a bag, shook it up and then distributed it randomly all over the house.

Hopeless.

I think my days as a domestic goddess are numbered.

food, glorious food

Regular readers of this blog (and anyone who has ever spent any time with me) will know that I do not cook.

So it is a very big deal that I roasted a chicken. I know that I have written about doing this before (many months ago) but today I seasoned the thing with garlic (lots), turmeric and thyme and threw in a bunch of potatoes, onions and sweet potatoes.

I also made my own salad dressing (by my own, I mean that I modified a recipe from the Silver Palate cookbook but since I doubled the vinegar and the mustard and added an entire clove of garlic, I would call that improvising wildly), boiled some artichokes and made an avocado, lettuce and tomato salad.

All very simple but pretty damn good, if I do say so myself. And all of it organic (we were gifted with a bin of organic veggies on the week end. I am enjoying this very much and it has inspired me to try new things, hence the boiled artichokes).

When everything was done, I went for a beautiful walk in my favourite spot in Ottawa (check this link out, the photographer, Richard McGuire, does a fabulous job of capturing this beautiful city), with my favourite walking companion.

I worked up a sweat.

He chased some squirrels.

We had a very good time.

I also had a great appointment with my naturopathic doctor today. We talked about food and supplements. I feel safe with her (she takes the care to research each supplement before recommending it and is working with my wonderful medical oncologist) and she doesn't try to overwhelm me with the changes I need to make (and she thinks dark chocolate is good for me).

At the end of the appointment, we did a relaxation and visualization exercise. This is the kind of thing I am usually really bad at but it worked. It really did.

All in all, today was a pretty good day.

And tomorrow I will finish cleaning up the mess I made in the kitchen.

The Health Insurance Industry Employs Minority Groups to Protect Medicare Advantage Payments--Could They Have Sunk Any Lower?

The Democratic led Congress is looking hard at cutting payments to insurers participating in the Medicare Advantage business.With both the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) and the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) saying the private plans are overpaid by billions of dollars (the CBO says by $54 billion over five years) these HMO payments are a tempting target for Democrats looking to