In memorium

Five years ago today, I started my current job. Should be a happy anniversary for me, right? Well, it's kind of bitter sweet, because also five year ago today is the anniversary of someone I knew -- his name, Korey Stringer.

This may sound vaguely familiar to some people out there. Korey was a very soft spoken and likable guy who happened to be 335 pounds and played football in the NFL for the Minnesota Vikings.

Five years ago yesterday, the weather was similar to what's happening in most of the US today -- hot and humid -- in the 90's, which for Minnesota is pretty hot. Korey was in full football gear (which you'll see in the ESPN article above). He collapsed and died 15 hours later -- he was only 27 years old.

The cause? No, not a heart attack. No, not drugs. No, not an injury sustained on or off the field. It was heat stroke. Heat stroke? Who gets that anymore? With all of our modern technology, you would think that a condition like this would be eliminated.

At the time, it caused quite a stir around these parts. Particularly because August is the time when high school, grade school, and all kinds of football training start. The sad part is that only five years later, people forget what happened to Korey Stringer and that it could happen again.

So, check on your loved ones today, whether they're young or old, whether they're big or small. Remind them about dehydration and heat stroke. And, think of Korey today.

Alz assist

I know what you're saying, not another Dr. A Alz posting. Can't he just let this go? Well, here's what happened. Yesterday, I got a call from our local Alz Association support group. They were looking for a speaker for their August meeting. So, I said, "Sure, Why not."

It's been at least 2-3 years since I gave a community talk on Alz. Last night, I was trying to find my powerpoint presentation on my trusty Mac. I figured that most if not all of the scientific stuff was still current. And, I knew that a few of my patients and/or their families would be there. So, I would ask their permission beforehand if I could share some of their story with the larger group. I did not want to break any kind of confidentiality.

Then, I thought, what about my new blog friends? This is where I'm asking for your assistance. Here's the question: For those of you out there who have experienced Alz disease, what would you want to tell this support group? Keep in mind, these are people who are going through or who will go through what you have.

If you would rather e-mail than comment here, please feel free to do so. I thank you, and I know this support group will appreciate any insight from those who have been through this tragic disease.

Grand Rounds

This week, Grand Rounds 2.45 is being hosted by Inside Surgery. Here's my snipet (and Moof as well):

Working the System or the System Working You?

Ever thought about a health care system that tells you what treatments you must have? Doctor Anonymous talks about just that when discussing the case of Starchild Abraham Cherrix. Health Business Blog ponders why patients with insurance actually use the emergency room more than the uninsured. Moof wonders how good physicians are going to get using their computer.

Thanks to Inside Surgery for including me in Grand Rounds. I really appreciate it. Next week, the host for Grand Rounds 2.46 will be Protect The Airway.

Landis update

The New York Times is reporting that carbon isotope testing (a more sophisticated test verses the initial) on the "urine sample A" shows the testosterone in the sample came from an external source.

The Floyd camp has been on a public relations frenzy for the past 3-4 days. They will now have to explain these latest results. Apparently, they finally officially requested testing on "urine sample B." The saga continues...

Supersize me

Late news out of LaJolla, California. Dinner is on me and you can order anything that you want because US scientists have found the solution to the obesity problem -- and instead of a pill -- it's a shot -- a shot they're calling the anti-obesity vaccine.

You see, they gave these rats this vaccine directed against a hormone that helps regulate energy. The results show less weight gain and less body fat than those fat rats that got no vaccine.

The finding, said the scientists, might be especially important to stop what is commonly called "yo-yo dieting," the cycle of repeated loss and regain of weight experienced by many dieters.

Wait a sec, I like my yo-yo dieting. What's up with that! One week I'm down three pounds, and the next week, I'm up five pounds. This is awful! This is horrible! Where's my potato chips and diet coke? Maybe this will be a good thing. We'll see.

Medium=large

While I was at one of my favorite fast food joints (I know, it really does along with my claim of laziness from my earlier posting today), I ordered a medium Diet Coke. What I got was this huge cup which I thought was a large or even extra large.

I know people have probably noticed this already, but are food and drink servings getting bigger, or is it just me? I thought that places like McDonalds did away with their "Super Sizes." Maybe they got rid of the name, but the portions are actually larger now. I might have to do some research on this -- I mean google search, not actually sample all the fast food places around here. HA!

Also, let me know if you're having any problems loading up my blog page. I've had some problems this morning. My browser was freezing up when loading. It seems to be solved now, but let me know.

Move to Denmark

My parents just got back from their trip to Russia & Scandanavia late last night. I was wondering whether I should call her during a lull in my morning schedule or at the end of my morning. Sometimes my mom is very talkative, and sometimes she's not.

So, I took my chances. I just got off the phone after a 30 minute conversation. Don't get me wrong, I'm not upset, my mom is just funny sometimes. She gets into this long story about how my dad couldn't find the right currency for that country (apparently that person did not accept Euros), but my mom really wanted this sovenier. They went with a big group of their friends. And, the airline stories....

Why am I telling this story? Well, I think mom's funny. And, I found this CNN article about a study with partial data from the United Nations (we know how reliable they are -- HA!) and conducted by a British scientist.

According to this study, Denmark is the "happiest" country. The United States came in at 23rd, Britain was in 41st place, Germany 35th and France 62nd. Other countries were not given (for my other international readers out there -- Sorry!).

"Smaller countries tend to be a little happier because there is a stronger sense of collectivism and then you also have the aesthetic qualities of a country," White [the researcher] said.

What does that quote even mean? I think that's research double-speak. I mean, only 5 million people live in the entire country. Maybe they make all the unhappy people move to Germany? Maybe it because of that whole viking heritage thing that they got going there? Who knows? Anyone been there (other than my parents)? What's the deal with Denmark?

5K

I went to my first 5K race over the weekend. No, I did not run in the event. I was just in the cheering section. It was a night race, which I guess is an even more special event.

I never did track or cross country in school. So, this was an entirely new experience for me. It was at our high school football stadium. The place was full of energy. There was a DJ over where the band usually sits. This was where the prizes were to be given out later.

As I got to see the track, I saw a bunch of people walking and running on the track. I was thinking to myself, "Aren't these people going to get tired, especially on a humid night like this?" Maybe Runner Girl and others can give me insight on this.

"Hey Doc! Why aren't you running in the race?", many people asked me. I made up something like it was because of my old knee injury from chess club back in high school. *grin*

This is an entirely different topic, but I know I'm out of shape. And, I do admit, that I'm just as bad as some of my patients in that I make excuses for not working out. I know what you're going to say, "Practice what you preach." Thanks for calling me out on that one. Back to the story...

I always wondered who decides who is in the front of the starting pack. The starter lined up the runners by "speed," meaning those who have run faster times in front and those with slower times in back. I guess this makes sense, because you don't want people running over other people just at the start.

The race started, and then the waiting began. The entire group did a lap in the stadium, and then they ran the streets of the town, including in the park. The excitement grew minute after minute waiting for the first runner to arrive.

And then, the stadium erupted with cheering as the first people arrived. For the next 30 minutes you would hear occasional cheers as loved ones spotted friends/family as they entered the stadium for their final lap.

Overall, a fascinating experience. I thought people would be negatively competitive in asking what times you had and saying how they were better. It was very supportive. People told me it's not a race against other people as much as it is a race against yourself and the clock. Who knows? Maybe I'll pick up this running thing myself?

BTW, kudos to Cathy who survived her blogathon weekend and exceeded her goal of fundraising. Congratulations! Hope you got some well deserved rest.

Rush to judgement

I ranted about Floyd Landis yesterday. I have heard from a lot of people to wait and see how all of this plays out. Maybe the initial test was not definitive. Maybe the "sample b" will show something different.

We do know that he will "stand up" Jay Leno tonight and go on the hard-hitting (yeah right) and soft ball question throwing Larry King Live to start his PR campaign to save his personal and professional reputation. Good Luck Floyd.

There's also a new blog site (Free Floyd Landis) which may be part of his PR campaign. Maybe I was too harsh in my initial analysis. We'll have to see what happens.

BA on the North Coast

Pack your bags because we're heading to Ohio (yes, Ohio). What's there? The latest edition of the BA meeting hosted by Cathy. We're on Lake Erie (I think they still call it the "north coast" up there). The dinner menu sounds great and the tiramisu sounds even better. You'll have a great time. And, remember, what happens at Put-In-Bay -- Stays at Put-In-Bay. See you there!