tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69955811261559058522024-03-05T12:14:31.960-08:00Paul v 2.03I will post things here. Most of it will invariably center around my life as I am an incredibly self-centered person.Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08134626571444683275noreply@blogger.comBlogger80125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6995581126155905852.post-45180377438960686452008-10-28T21:20:00.000-07:002008-10-28T21:23:44.315-07:00Back home<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSQyrSSjxXYR1Mo4ZVpgf1rMT43pxaDum3dRd2z-bkOYA_TXVNY-fpJedY4__3ZqcO6WHMArOHAqgaJnMKYLeebtR7Pq7ThnOcBVDNVMWM-RGR52Xr3EYa8esUIeH09oHWYrz1dWIaKop1/s1600-h/black+cat+rug-thumb.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSQyrSSjxXYR1Mo4ZVpgf1rMT43pxaDum3dRd2z-bkOYA_TXVNY-fpJedY4__3ZqcO6WHMArOHAqgaJnMKYLeebtR7Pq7ThnOcBVDNVMWM-RGR52Xr3EYa8esUIeH09oHWYrz1dWIaKop1/s200/black+cat+rug-thumb.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5262426800322528658" /></a><br />Jen's back home after a short stay at John Muir. We're not sure what happened, it wasn't DKA. She's doing really well now and able to receive calls...<br /><br />Sorry I don't update this blog when she's doing well...but no news is good news as far as this blog is concerned!Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08134626571444683275noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6995581126155905852.post-70449426200593795232008-10-24T17:36:00.000-07:002008-10-24T17:47:46.936-07:00Jen back in the clutches of the White Robes<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFj_EqYPytggAW8QIvUTgr0A7t_imsZr_pZKkVeZceobH-46X3kyBXA1rOEaDWyxcniIABGRCGq2rgHaQHgcxQz17GfuG0teSZVFxcGoJXAFSm-7Qqv8H6rNh6nhyphenhypheni06ZljMgrRf4gQyzu/s1600-h/muir.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 122px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFj_EqYPytggAW8QIvUTgr0A7t_imsZr_pZKkVeZceobH-46X3kyBXA1rOEaDWyxcniIABGRCGq2rgHaQHgcxQz17GfuG0teSZVFxcGoJXAFSm-7Qqv8H6rNh6nhyphenhypheni06ZljMgrRf4gQyzu/s200/muir.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5260884924637211330" /></a><br /><br />Jen has been sick the past few days and vomiting quite a bit. Her blood sugar started to rise even with aggressive insulin treatment at home, so we had to go.<br /><br />Unfortunately Jen is back in the hospital, but this time I took her to John Muir in Walnut Creek instead of subjecting her to Kaiser. I hope that 'the more the merrier' applies to health care and medical opinions in general. If not, it could also serve to magnify the already overwhelming stupidity found in western medicine's approach to sickness (i.e. if we can't explain it then it must not exist). So it goes with diabetes. <br /><br />It is my hope that she is back home BEFORE Halloween. It is MONUMENTALLY unfair that she has missed one Halloween due to this, it would be beyond unfair to have her miss 2.Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08134626571444683275noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6995581126155905852.post-76964636474841548492008-08-15T17:27:00.000-07:002008-08-15T17:55:06.562-07:00Jen is coming home!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigVuR5vU5PHFrg0ig6TvgeQfluPOmRLYfQI-0JUljSEI-eZn8fksnZyzV2WzL0GCO6ash30HSQJ7wxzYBPXB9bS5D9DW-xfRw3GWSBflv0-5_O5bLaeGR36_St3rkJ2YK7kVXe_f-V_4sG/s1600-h/xd9zh6da.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigVuR5vU5PHFrg0ig6TvgeQfluPOmRLYfQI-0JUljSEI-eZn8fksnZyzV2WzL0GCO6ash30HSQJ7wxzYBPXB9bS5D9DW-xfRw3GWSBflv0-5_O5bLaeGR36_St3rkJ2YK7kVXe_f-V_4sG/s200/xd9zh6da.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234911958235391202" /><a href="http://pdgusers.lbl.gov/~pschaffner/misc/xd9zh6da.gif">Dance!</a></a><br /><br /><br />Jen is coming home tomorrow!!<br /><br />Too much to do!<br /><br />I may be calling some of you to see if you're available to check in on her during the week...Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08134626571444683275noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6995581126155905852.post-16547641195966089112008-08-13T18:38:00.000-07:002008-08-13T18:52:12.452-07:00"Man seeks revenge, kills 20 at Kaiser"<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG_Z-GnkXk4vY75s7Ds6AEskLCp8AV7zjNCzjjG023ONiiLCjesVneps8UrD-_CrgbFhFtKxjeg_BCLyGsek3TaaaqqS9Ua0bSJMn8FB6TnqoQs9UAoYpL0x52wvmPUaT9_UdvEd9xzQWh/s1600-h/437111_bloody_axe.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG_Z-GnkXk4vY75s7Ds6AEskLCp8AV7zjNCzjjG023ONiiLCjesVneps8UrD-_CrgbFhFtKxjeg_BCLyGsek3TaaaqqS9Ua0bSJMn8FB6TnqoQs9UAoYpL0x52wvmPUaT9_UdvEd9xzQWh/s200/437111_bloody_axe.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5234184238654803554" /></a><br /><br />So...<br /><br />Jen is coming HOME now. Turns out that the 10 people that are experts at these things all didn't bother to see that Jen apparently doesn't fit the criteria for the KPAC nursing facility. I'm too pissed off, tired, crazy to even rant about it. <br /><br />So Jen is coming home (according the latest which could change at ANY moment knowing these people) within the next couple of weeks. I'm now trying to see what the best way to take care of her is once she's home, they're telling me she needs 24 hour monitoring...I'm not sure it needs to be that drastic but someone should at least talk to her once every hour or so.Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08134626571444683275noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6995581126155905852.post-1236292193664138282008-08-08T17:54:00.000-07:002008-08-08T18:03:51.458-07:00Oh,<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimWxGz3AA-aN93wgI2KNoSwcfn8piWX1FV3l7YeY3w1dqZu2O43C63LRMrVN2Kj5z9rPGnv2qomgQPQoL4kUDWAikqzpWGZZgT2gUNxPhCgQ-dFb_R0woFdVpAEg-Htvv7jJLT-Z1cv6vc/s1600-h/Glen-Canyon-Dam..jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimWxGz3AA-aN93wgI2KNoSwcfn8piWX1FV3l7YeY3w1dqZu2O43C63LRMrVN2Kj5z9rPGnv2qomgQPQoL4kUDWAikqzpWGZZgT2gUNxPhCgQ-dFb_R0woFdVpAEg-Htvv7jJLT-Z1cv6vc/s200/Glen-Canyon-Dam..jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232315492180170882" /></a><br /><br />So after all the talk and promises we've finally had a 'Kaiser intervention' with representatives from all departments of Kaiser to discuss Jen's condition. Overall they are positive, but their recommendations did not go down well with Jen. <br /><br />The plan at Kaiser is to evaluate Jen for release within a couple of weeks not home, but to a skilled nursing facility. This would be a stay that would probably last not more than 3 months, and then she could come home. They would like her to get more intensive physical therapy so that she is stronger before coming home. In principal I like the idea of making sure she's strong enough to be at home, but hate the fact that she is locked up in another hospital for even more time. On a side note she 'celebrated' her 1 year anniversary in the hospital this week. Yay.<br /><br />Jen's feeling defeated and generally down about everything right now, understandably. I'm trying to get her to see the positive, the fact that she is finally well enough to even start the plan for a release is huge. It's hard to get through sometimes.<br /><br />So...it looks like she'll not be home until at the very earliest, November. I'm going to do all I can to make sure she doesn't spend another Christmas in the hospital...unfortunately I can't do anything about our favorite holiday, Halloween. :(Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08134626571444683275noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6995581126155905852.post-87788438575277311832008-07-29T17:53:00.000-07:002008-11-12T17:52:02.902-08:00Update<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGtNyN-lM9HQ3eSqDvxB8a7QENN2bJC1AjS1uaK2ti7XrY17qjYSaCyLT5nTiTk-E9NGB7ds5ciskoF1yPxY3xeOqcOnZN0H6IKtMsKUXzXl6AkZEuJfrz9VmeCe1QCMi9UYH2EEwwLA1I/s1600-h/tm.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGtNyN-lM9HQ3eSqDvxB8a7QENN2bJC1AjS1uaK2ti7XrY17qjYSaCyLT5nTiTk-E9NGB7ds5ciskoF1yPxY3xeOqcOnZN0H6IKtMsKUXzXl6AkZEuJfrz9VmeCe1QCMi9UYH2EEwwLA1I/s200/tm.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5228603938791169874" /></a><br /><br />So, I guess there's a lot to talk about...<br /><br />Jen's doing OK at the moment. The Dexcom continuous glucose monitor has been installed and has been runnning for the past couple of weeks with varied results. One of the problems is that there is only really one person in the hospital qualified to operate the device and fix it if something goes wrong. All of the nurses try to learn how to operate it but are operating on average at about an Iraq invasion success rate.<br /><br /> The Dexcom unit itself is pretty nice and simple. I have a feeling that it works better than is being demonstrated at Kaiser, if you do the calibrations correctly and on time I think that the unit will help her out quite a bit. Of course, we'll have to buy her one of her own...because Kaiser bought the current one just for the hospital. How nice.<br /><br /> At this point the Gastric pacer is off the table, due to Jen's ability to eat on her own for the past couple of months. I think that this is great news, as the less surgery, the better. Jen is nervous that she will fall back into her previous state, but her doctors think that if we keep her blood sugars under tight control than we can stave that off.<br /><br /> They are thinking of releasing her soon. Obviously it depends on how well her blood sugars are controlled, and switching her to oral medication...but that is the only criteria. That actually scares me at this point...she is very medicated and I am just not comfortable leaving her at home alone. If I did at the state she's in now I know that we'd have a bad scenario very quickly. Kaiser does not have a program that helps people out once they're released that is covered by insurance. I'm looking into what to do.<br /><br />More later...Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08134626571444683275noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6995581126155905852.post-77641948588604656102008-07-18T00:33:00.000-07:002008-11-12T17:52:03.120-08:00Yay<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDd0trG6lLSenRdAEodmbqKXvypZMs7LPsWkL9R8CT-Fp4C6EvHgLaiXtZ8jh05Tobs_VmRSbIzGYXbDevuH1CqBtZKAJEIvxFRlJ9KEbqJSD5Je6Nh5ag1C0t-9tlPCZK7vBjIOoDhJ8k/s1600-h/diabetes-glucose.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDd0trG6lLSenRdAEodmbqKXvypZMs7LPsWkL9R8CT-Fp4C6EvHgLaiXtZ8jh05Tobs_VmRSbIzGYXbDevuH1CqBtZKAJEIvxFRlJ9KEbqJSD5Je6Nh5ag1C0t-9tlPCZK7vBjIOoDhJ8k/s200/diabetes-glucose.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5224254064370124514" /></a><br /><br />Jen had her continuous glucose monitor installed! Now we can actually track her blood sugar and set the alarms to warn her BEFORE she goes too low. Oh happy day, it only took Kaiser a year and a half to figure this one out. A new record!Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08134626571444683275noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6995581126155905852.post-10756946890753279062008-07-10T15:49:00.001-07:002008-11-12T17:52:03.347-08:00Updates are evil<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSXvIxsXnm5pCg4lyyYtK4vS-Z4K2qWTdKKQXI3NZ74fAjw4VPLmg3kUAlPdy7i-kRsQOpTS6L4gmQaAZvOVFM6fmrYTEnDbK4cp_je9GnblvW-fbEugmxFzMJZPRiAcr75rwfRAJO0HpG/s1600-h/imperialelvis.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSXvIxsXnm5pCg4lyyYtK4vS-Z4K2qWTdKKQXI3NZ74fAjw4VPLmg3kUAlPdy7i-kRsQOpTS6L4gmQaAZvOVFM6fmrYTEnDbK4cp_je9GnblvW-fbEugmxFzMJZPRiAcr75rwfRAJO0HpG/s200/imperialelvis.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221522178569920434" /></a><br />Hi all, not much that's new. Jen is doing well, been eating normally for over a month so that's fantastic. Her glucose sensor is on it's way, and no word yet from UCSF but we expect it soon (no, really).<br /><br />No news is good news, unless it's...um, bad. But that ain't (contraction of: ai, not Example: I ai not going to be a phat skinny pimpin' at da clubz wit all da hoes this fine evening.) the case.Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08134626571444683275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6995581126155905852.post-48387895538116554622008-06-30T16:29:00.000-07:002008-06-30T16:50:07.082-07:00Meh<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://pdgusers.lbl.gov/~pschaffner/misc/meh.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="http://pdgusers.lbl.gov/~pschaffner/misc/meh.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210785542890759410" /></a><br /><br />Jen has been doing well until last night, she had a low blood sugar episode but is OK now. We are still in a holding pattern until we get the OK from UCSF to transfer her there. I am also pushing them to install the glucose sensor now as opposed to after she gets out.<br /><br />In other news, go see Wall-E. It's amazing. And if you're wondering what I'm going to be wanting for my birthday, it's the 'Ultimate Wall-E' shown <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UveB5bJYNpg">here</a>Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08134626571444683275noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6995581126155905852.post-51070309671852035842008-06-19T19:32:00.000-07:002008-11-12T17:52:03.471-08:00Success<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj65VdmOkXG6T_g153kVca_SRmi0P3S0FrL21UJcPMndffs5kUsov7vsCHrdhuXMxTFFXNqAvw5pQgJMKc3pO3UfGNgAd1dLIN2XS1AKIuRrZg5DWQNGnNGvKKdc3suE8anvelaMSqMs2iJ/s1600-h/deep3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj65VdmOkXG6T_g153kVca_SRmi0P3S0FrL21UJcPMndffs5kUsov7vsCHrdhuXMxTFFXNqAvw5pQgJMKc3pO3UfGNgAd1dLIN2XS1AKIuRrZg5DWQNGnNGvKKdc3suE8anvelaMSqMs2iJ/s200/deep3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213786256730275778" /></a><br /><br />They removed Jen's chest port yesterday, so she's on track for getting to UCSF within a week now.<br /><br />Progress...Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08134626571444683275noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6995581126155905852.post-3507969514353584072008-06-17T19:06:00.000-07:002008-11-12T17:52:03.803-08:00Rolling along...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHgKJvvfagE43QEB2VoZtKI5mhDJi05rNye5CLuJwIVQBY1zoP0UVOXxRalO5sv3NLmVANr8RQVKhZB1YuabIfiHl245IlxCDu0ta9ZDf1Cr-r6NXQj5FivtYkPUlpjsLVaiafGvqXNE_5/s1600-h/_wsb_293x304_CloverLeafRoll.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHgKJvvfagE43QEB2VoZtKI5mhDJi05rNye5CLuJwIVQBY1zoP0UVOXxRalO5sv3NLmVANr8RQVKhZB1YuabIfiHl245IlxCDu0ta9ZDf1Cr-r6NXQj5FivtYkPUlpjsLVaiafGvqXNE_5/s200/_wsb_293x304_CloverLeafRoll.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213037195219251154" /></a><br /><br />No new news to report, Jen wants another dialysis session with the fistula (Wed.) before she's ready to remove the chest port. Everything else is still holding true...Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08134626571444683275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6995581126155905852.post-35733112327410955192008-06-11T17:28:00.000-07:002008-11-12T17:52:03.893-08:00News to squish by<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdcAZxpCD1tg_2lMgK_iv_p_-2Pt8RfM0oh7lXFxoRjs3oqGVMvVVeJrG7BJBVpQd4gbTaWQzZxEY2ikutBEMPkOdj5wejxEq3u0Q_VeEIExE9tyM4u9uyYURePDDTbFX2Eu-c_NYjJXFy/s1600-h/octopus.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdcAZxpCD1tg_2lMgK_iv_p_-2Pt8RfM0oh7lXFxoRjs3oqGVMvVVeJrG7BJBVpQd4gbTaWQzZxEY2ikutBEMPkOdj5wejxEq3u0Q_VeEIExE9tyM4u9uyYURePDDTbFX2Eu-c_NYjJXFy/s200/octopus.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210785542890759410" /></a><br />This pink sample of cephalopod Coleoidea of the order Octopoda arrived this week. It made Jen squeal. That is good.<br /><br />Jen's fistula has been ruled 'acceptable'. This means that her chest port is going to be removed probably by next week. After that it's a week of antibiotics and then on to UCSF!<br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">“It has become appallingly obvious that our technology has exceeded our humanity.”</span><br /><br />I ran across this quote from Albert Einstein last week and thought it fitting for the health care industry.Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08134626571444683275noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6995581126155905852.post-73667845435321994292008-06-03T15:33:00.001-07:002008-11-12T17:52:04.389-08:00Glucose sensor<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTmsfy5ZZT5CkdtZ2ciI_RCjylms9JxJOQ83vLCOWoFE7xq1rOga7f8ikZl4opD05uNyYjWJIh-rSoc7wsALDN4A3vu5AH3ZPQbKEkZp8x8UmAsW90eCVOQf-4g1p24FAt87rjgasgveVN/s1600-h/seven_receiver.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTmsfy5ZZT5CkdtZ2ciI_RCjylms9JxJOQ83vLCOWoFE7xq1rOga7f8ikZl4opD05uNyYjWJIh-rSoc7wsALDN4A3vu5AH3ZPQbKEkZp8x8UmAsW90eCVOQf-4g1p24FAt87rjgasgveVN/s200/seven_receiver.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207788328688604946" /></a><br />They approved the <a href="http://www.dexcom.com/html/dexcom_products.html">Dexcom</a> glucose sensor for Jen! This is very good news, the sensor will be crucial for Jen to maintain her overall health outside of the hospital.<br /><p><br />There is a wish of the higher ups at Kaiser to move Jen straight from Kaiser to UCSF. We will see what the final decision is soon, they still need to talk to UCSF about what protocol they wish to use.<br /><p><br />Jen continues to improve, she is eating semi-regularly and her tube feeding moved from a constant 24 hour cycle to a 12 hour cycle at twice the rate.<br /><p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoH2pa8YqvmrpqYuAiT6NfURGli40VtOg1bHFXCRxpi7zrccI-xfihADkNTKQuVi1-E8ICCM9TopUIwoeDm3DxPFzcroXMQb2-XgwOehi9mOiu17tAhawtrtw1rtC7XH-5xU9ijIo1iX5t/s1600-h/d_7385.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoH2pa8YqvmrpqYuAiT6NfURGli40VtOg1bHFXCRxpi7zrccI-xfihADkNTKQuVi1-E8ICCM9TopUIwoeDm3DxPFzcroXMQb2-XgwOehi9mOiu17tAhawtrtw1rtC7XH-5xU9ijIo1iX5t/s200/d_7385.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207788797044417154" /></a>Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08134626571444683275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6995581126155905852.post-19119692567075141192008-05-27T17:31:00.000-07:002008-11-12T17:52:04.619-08:00Updates<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkOSCtJDGCZzO-_JuJtM6bgmLQjtLyBWuv6IazZFZYesGqjDH_OuJrJTdW68RSi8rwk8Ndtfjp6OA1I3596hsRPJOvQFcpJIEJDRTlBu8ECiVodBPrk4Z9uD1-U5ZyjYWexE3FWHMlNL9c/s1600-h/MartyFeldman.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkOSCtJDGCZzO-_JuJtM6bgmLQjtLyBWuv6IazZFZYesGqjDH_OuJrJTdW68RSi8rwk8Ndtfjp6OA1I3596hsRPJOvQFcpJIEJDRTlBu8ECiVodBPrk4Z9uD1-U5ZyjYWexE3FWHMlNL9c/s200/MartyFeldman.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205220703573953794" /></a><br />Jen was completely unresponsive this morning, but apparently that is due to the fact that they did the echocardiogram on her and she was still groggy from the sedative. I don't know the results yet, but I'm sure glad they let me know that it was happening today. (They didn't.)<br /><br />From the sound of it her chest port will come out next and they they are looking to release her home, and then to UCSF. I'm not sure what to do though if she comes home now...she needs monitoring while I'm away at work but I don't want it to be invasive. I've looked at setting up a network DVR...the problem is she doesn't want to feel as though she is being babysat which I completely understand. We'll start with the training for the dog when she gets home from UCSF, whenever that may be.<br /><br /><strong>Confused about the internet?</strong> Gabe and Max explain it all the in a quick and easy way!!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPsUmhqncAg">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPsUmhqncAg</a><br /><p><br /><a href="http://tv.boingboing.net/2007/12/07/gabe-and-max-answer.html">http://tv.boingboing.net/2007/12/07/gabe-and-max-answer.html</a><br /><p><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjniUCrrqvrjSYiCfuZ5wOplNz5kumJ_MVat-Qu9huU7IaD3nRg2nv30yTWfR12IvB3rmbq1ATMSyqD-qtAnaoC2FDmPawl0_ijoJVg5GWSDBqApAhnFCRLGyG7mPjziOxwAoogN2G-CkVo/s1600-h/gabe-max.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjniUCrrqvrjSYiCfuZ5wOplNz5kumJ_MVat-Qu9huU7IaD3nRg2nv30yTWfR12IvB3rmbq1ATMSyqD-qtAnaoC2FDmPawl0_ijoJVg5GWSDBqApAhnFCRLGyG7mPjziOxwAoogN2G-CkVo/s200/gabe-max.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205221373588851986" /></a>Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08134626571444683275noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6995581126155905852.post-43799427789765101842008-05-26T00:10:00.000-07:002008-11-12T17:52:04.799-08:00Woodney and Lemenieu<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7pKePWB-rbKbC3JteLf95LdKMCN85Nif8s95RTu4NFjg8PJvFDdZHRcyG0XObis9iKTEhrmN47Xgl4yw4-ZeyyM9uuPNCYOJYi0NoefLwiGCq_PWm3HyeITKMEF8lH1mfknHbkEoDY5K-/s1600-h/wandl.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7pKePWB-rbKbC3JteLf95LdKMCN85Nif8s95RTu4NFjg8PJvFDdZHRcyG0XObis9iKTEhrmN47Xgl4yw4-ZeyyM9uuPNCYOJYi0NoefLwiGCq_PWm3HyeITKMEF8lH1mfknHbkEoDY5K-/s200/wandl.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5204581341857369330" /></a><br />Jen and I were watching 'The First 48' on A&E a week ago and a suspect's name was 'Woodney Lemenieu'. Jen took an immediate liking to the name and laughed every time it was mentioned. I took the opportunity to paint (I don't paint so it that explains the quality) what 'Woodney Lemenieu' conjured up in my head for Jen's birthday and this was the result. I was asked to post it here, and I couldn't without the explanation. That's all there is. (Sorry for the crappy cell phone pic)Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08134626571444683275noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6995581126155905852.post-46481896177227600182008-05-23T17:58:00.001-07:002008-11-12T17:52:05.152-08:00Thanks<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5LHVtCM6OLUQxh7svaCgcenvjieiwXq_pkgxW7qUD1ZSWXjjOsTJMBbU0dzpiqeNc8hULQjAxDWKxCWy6L5Qalvyu1pxrLxRhZtk3IpYuWNKqdOOuf7XBhAGR3fmD9vqjcscLCC06giPC/s1600-h/%5Bsloth%5D+happy!.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5LHVtCM6OLUQxh7svaCgcenvjieiwXq_pkgxW7qUD1ZSWXjjOsTJMBbU0dzpiqeNc8hULQjAxDWKxCWy6L5Qalvyu1pxrLxRhZtk3IpYuWNKqdOOuf7XBhAGR3fmD9vqjcscLCC06giPC/s200/%5Bsloth%5D+happy!.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203742715133086930" /></a><br />Jen (and I) want to say thanks for everyone's visits for her birthday. It means a lot to both of us to know that she has such great friends and family!<br /><br />Question: What do sloth's look like before coffee?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiivn5zwvkisO2I2mqSlpAKllj4aDsMyceeBqODvrS5F7uV3-JGcKTbfcO9VTzMaXDlvlxTF4pLI3zNPi55iZqfqWN6aZsUoW1NMdOX_jYSsqHpCL8fo6H12laXUDRFv2iQ0es7B9MDUJct/s1600-h/Sloth,7.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiivn5zwvkisO2I2mqSlpAKllj4aDsMyceeBqODvrS5F7uV3-JGcKTbfcO9VTzMaXDlvlxTF4pLI3zNPi55iZqfqWN6aZsUoW1NMdOX_jYSsqHpCL8fo6H12laXUDRFv2iQ0es7B9MDUJct/s200/Sloth,7.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203742964241190114" /></a>Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08134626571444683275noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6995581126155905852.post-41653564132396750302008-05-17T00:24:00.000-07:002008-11-12T17:52:05.301-08:00Nothing really new...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWV_-86KuM1C19KR0e1Tc5eLw9FZyXjRmFYjHENhkVPHDuAOwZExjd5nCn-11tuWDDoOMcq7etZve1dR922GT0sxn6ts7SeiePp_Yf_tFg4WFk9vXeVrXAVRUecM5iAfjXwjCcfV3sOBzw/s1600-h/550x401.aspx.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWV_-86KuM1C19KR0e1Tc5eLw9FZyXjRmFYjHENhkVPHDuAOwZExjd5nCn-11tuWDDoOMcq7etZve1dR922GT0sxn6ts7SeiePp_Yf_tFg4WFk9vXeVrXAVRUecM5iAfjXwjCcfV3sOBzw/s200/550x401.aspx.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5201245374624383106" /></a><br />The next generation of caring Kaiser staff at a 'patient rights awareness' rally.<br /><br />Jen is still doing OK, she has only been sick a couple of times over the past month now but each episode only lasts a few hours vs. a few days. They have started to use her fistula for dialysis so progress is being made along that front too.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uuGaqLT-gO4">Totally unrelated but really amazing art video here</a>Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08134626571444683275noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6995581126155905852.post-53852340544718305182008-05-05T17:01:00.000-07:002008-11-12T17:52:05.572-08:00Birthday<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU-lYxs1-HgRpfT9-dNgf4hXdmefbs-JzK70swZnAlGQ2NbdvYmyoqwL1rAG9g0QlWAYy-D2U13xX_36RjvFVhRaQLjvF1QAcEajhzsEIUtPoYqt-3SgXztuw1WesG645DY4n5Njy_AyTv/s1600-h/sloth3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU-lYxs1-HgRpfT9-dNgf4hXdmefbs-JzK70swZnAlGQ2NbdvYmyoqwL1rAG9g0QlWAYy-D2U13xX_36RjvFVhRaQLjvF1QAcEajhzsEIUtPoYqt-3SgXztuw1WesG645DY4n5Njy_AyTv/s200/sloth3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197062617611917602" /></a><br /><br />So Jen's birthday is coming up on the 22nd. I think it'd be best to have people visit on the same day, probably Saturday so that everyone has time to visit. It's unclear on whether she'll be at Walnut Creek or UCSF, but I'm guessing Walnut Creek. I'm not planning anything really so feel free to contact me if you have an idea that you think she'd like.<br /><br />Jen's fistula looks good, they've started dialysis with it so if all goes well they will pull out the chest port by next week. After that they'll ramp down her Fluconazole antibiotic, and then look to transfer her to UCSF.<br /><br />Jen has been doing really well, she's been eating normally for the past 3 weeks (a record) and only had a couple of days of nausea. Progress is obvious. I'm optimistic that after her surgery for the gastric pacer she'll be able to start living a more normal life sooner than later.<br /><br />So, that's it for now...<br /><br />Random note: I attempted my fist motivational poster below, what do you think?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNJ5pLVM482Q0TZeLEFndsErP5EEBYMxLBM06P1RxMBpk91kKQHnRgmtV5DK6bVroS3ez53mA4P3hhoSSs_VN97YLTqFP-CcTdC9yFbBSqf3P82BHZFKrTpPDDBqEbYATEK08K5Ix6eQzB/s1600-h/content.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNJ5pLVM482Q0TZeLEFndsErP5EEBYMxLBM06P1RxMBpk91kKQHnRgmtV5DK6bVroS3ez53mA4P3hhoSSs_VN97YLTqFP-CcTdC9yFbBSqf3P82BHZFKrTpPDDBqEbYATEK08K5Ix6eQzB/s200/content.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197064198159882546" /></a>Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08134626571444683275noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6995581126155905852.post-52165464484754247882008-04-28T14:33:00.000-07:002008-11-12T17:52:05.711-08:00A Japanese man 'gets his wood on'<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhifIOVnQ02WWem2fs1NGJdSGyNS8MPmLspt8Xxn5z9NWkhKyrM-LloIjz8mwlb5aO52skzoDy9Rx7ezQYXbHwGurISHnM48dfwf9841JFORJRSp6sSNptZ49ZBPvqlAOeTiIqSW9vX1pSL/s1600-h/top-nov2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhifIOVnQ02WWem2fs1NGJdSGyNS8MPmLspt8Xxn5z9NWkhKyrM-LloIjz8mwlb5aO52skzoDy9Rx7ezQYXbHwGurISHnM48dfwf9841JFORJRSp6sSNptZ49ZBPvqlAOeTiIqSW9vX1pSL/s200/top-nov2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5194414057309362450" /></a><br /><br />Yes, that is made of <span style="font-style:italic;">wood</span>.<br /><br />Thought I'd share this amazing artist's work. He builds wooden sculptures are just awesome. I tried to see if I could get one for Jen but he only sells at art shows. Another reason to go back to Japan!<br /><br /><a href="http://take-g.com/">http://take-g.com/</a> Go to the 'crafts' section to see these incredible sculptures.Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08134626571444683275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6995581126155905852.post-66602902747313767702008-04-24T18:00:00.000-07:002008-11-12T17:52:05.793-08:00Birthday<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdpN4ao87lUO3BjLjJCXpddv635Ah72ZzLMVVy6mq8FFQHL5RaEdx2WrKpghnchalY8-VUE3sI6vczUR1yN-5Q-qZHquqIEo002Y2uklKpcSE2TrLxvEZhlDLZ9-4dFg3hVy5cYKv4wmeQ/s1600-h/batman-wtf.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdpN4ao87lUO3BjLjJCXpddv635Ah72ZzLMVVy6mq8FFQHL5RaEdx2WrKpghnchalY8-VUE3sI6vczUR1yN-5Q-qZHquqIEo002Y2uklKpcSE2TrLxvEZhlDLZ9-4dFg3hVy5cYKv4wmeQ/s200/batman-wtf.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192984022178355458" /></a><br />Careful, it has a hair trigger.<br /><br />Jen's birthday is coming up soon (5/22)...any ideas for gifts? It looks like she'll most likely still be in the hospital for it...but most likely at UCSF. No official word on when that's taking place yet.Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08134626571444683275noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6995581126155905852.post-40376991730686370282008-04-21T23:50:00.000-07:002008-11-12T17:52:05.878-08:00uhh<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0JRBVK9nBEuCiJUxCGVAAZbUl2DAS_KdXZVLwDCDJs2dwiHdR6cmqhrmk9275GTZoGdW9GeLDR9Y1yYuyotOR_bras_qKuH8-MQTn5sjYhoD14DTMn4YqBFiZrOkA_uTJeHHrK0NQ-7dm/s1600-h/chinese-food-bong.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0JRBVK9nBEuCiJUxCGVAAZbUl2DAS_KdXZVLwDCDJs2dwiHdR6cmqhrmk9275GTZoGdW9GeLDR9Y1yYuyotOR_bras_qKuH8-MQTn5sjYhoD14DTMn4YqBFiZrOkA_uTJeHHrK0NQ-7dm/s200/chinese-food-bong.gif" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5191958693225715954" /></a><br /><br />All is the same...delivering food to Jen and basically crossing my fingers that it stays good and gets better.<br /><br />The vascular surgeon will be looking at her arm in the next few days to pronounce judgement on her fistula. One step closer to getting her to UCSF.Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08134626571444683275noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6995581126155905852.post-81601780870798759392008-04-14T18:34:00.001-07:002008-11-12T17:52:06.208-08:00Fowl<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl_XaxGfG10q0b91GNDvY7nX3Hc-nwcFUErTTFQHS2D3kqqmEq_CgSH1uaQvTZlatKaaBG12Jxr-mArCvNYFQCic64wHX9JML_2UIQNYeJEU8f6Qgjvcr8EtRUMY1PzCwOCo18KcoSwsSY/s1600-h/chicken_stevens.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl_XaxGfG10q0b91GNDvY7nX3Hc-nwcFUErTTFQHS2D3kqqmEq_CgSH1uaQvTZlatKaaBG12Jxr-mArCvNYFQCic64wHX9JML_2UIQNYeJEU8f6Qgjvcr8EtRUMY1PzCwOCo18KcoSwsSY/s200/chicken_stevens.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189279533854842050" /></a><br />Even chickens suffer from 'snack attack'.<br /><br />Jen called me up at work today asking if I would pick up some popcorn chicken for her from KFC. Of course I will! That's a very good sign, so good that I will not even mention the horrible-ness-es? of the fast food industry. I'll just post a link here instead. (I'm even more fun at parties!) <a href="http://archive.salon.com/tech/feature/2001/02/08/schlosser_interview/index.html">Fast food...what exactly are you putting in your body?</a><br /><br />Good eating!<br /><br />P.S. Think you're having a bad day? Feeling increasingly confused? Imagine what this chicken was thinking.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv-Z4hd8E_679jMgMNaogpR_L4bvsd_ttajsnDl99-KrymunC59RWQS4bDAc6WKFO-Zuag5eUTaLIVPQj_-g06QPgtMvvup1rjsgzbcCrEg5xkBeRhWtMKFVbCWk6SzG2aEuPuybcegN98/s1600-h/538354_chicken-rabbit-sex.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv-Z4hd8E_679jMgMNaogpR_L4bvsd_ttajsnDl99-KrymunC59RWQS4bDAc6WKFO-Zuag5eUTaLIVPQj_-g06QPgtMvvup1rjsgzbcCrEg5xkBeRhWtMKFVbCWk6SzG2aEuPuybcegN98/s200/538354_chicken-rabbit-sex.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5189281874612018386" /></a>Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08134626571444683275noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6995581126155905852.post-51008909384795567332008-04-09T15:19:00.000-07:002008-11-12T17:52:06.362-08:00Dogs are the masters of all that smells<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZZpqcIJXbO6RQg7iaX_hgr-U_vUQX6d_Vne59LCy5hroftLZyqvCM5duL39-LlW0WhQxMBewwJyaIX-6gFSGS9nmgPNCd5T-ESyzKQW7OrbiKDcZVJTbOo-g5he-V3rCtmhyjCQ_GjhnY/s1600-h/yoda-dog.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZZpqcIJXbO6RQg7iaX_hgr-U_vUQX6d_Vne59LCy5hroftLZyqvCM5duL39-LlW0WhQxMBewwJyaIX-6gFSGS9nmgPNCd5T-ESyzKQW7OrbiKDcZVJTbOo-g5he-V3rCtmhyjCQ_GjhnY/s200/yoda-dog.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5187373796674073538" /></a><br />Photo: Master Doga instructs new pupils in the way of 'Hypoglycemia'.<br /><br />So Jen had a nurse introduce her to 2 diabetic patients that have dogs that can 'sniff out' an episode of <a href="http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/hypoglycemia/">hypoglycemia.</a> She recommends that we look into getting Jen a 'Diabetic Dog' as a helper when she goes home. I'm all for it, and I'm sure Bjorb the cat will love having another gigantic hair-shedding companion.<br /><br />These dogs are mostly 'rejects' from blind guide-dog schools. The reasons they were rejected are minor, usually if a dog shows reluctance to enter elevators, or walk in water. The dogs are then trained to recognize the subtle smell that is associated with hypoglycemic episodes. When these dogs detect one of these episodes, they alert the owner by gently tugging on a necklace that the person wears, and also licking the face. The dogs are not ready for service until they dosplay at least a 90% accuracy rating. The organization that started this is down the road from us, <a href="http://www.dogs4diabetics.com/">Dogs For Diabetics</a>.<br /><br />I contacted them and they are willing to help, but won't be able to start until Jen is released from the hospital. I think it'll be a great thing, great companionship and a great alert system in one!Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08134626571444683275noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6995581126155905852.post-14715224210153009352008-04-08T14:27:00.000-07:002008-11-12T17:52:06.514-08:00Evasive nothingness<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRUpnIXwhy06vG6L9DW5BbJ-fL8EneKRF_QunzolCk9X5LKajxHkf73J4O6eA_VQ9fdfSSGLW2Ddwq6wpGjIFXsVhvJAvSw_1ymYWLcXnBqQwTM2gHI2Ghhg-KxYEcnCIGy80hs6-DdXNm/s1600-h/baby_octopus.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRUpnIXwhy06vG6L9DW5BbJ-fL8EneKRF_QunzolCk9X5LKajxHkf73J4O6eA_VQ9fdfSSGLW2Ddwq6wpGjIFXsVhvJAvSw_1ymYWLcXnBqQwTM2gHI2Ghhg-KxYEcnCIGy80hs6-DdXNm/s200/baby_octopus.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5186990567212703730" /></a><br />Photo: Wee little octopus make big human go 'awwww'.<br /><br />Jen is still sick at the moment, but is on tube feedings. I can't wait until they get her to UCSF. <br /><br />I am pushing to get her glucose monitor covered by insurance. I am also trying to collect data for Social Security...who seems to have no clue how to get information on their own.Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08134626571444683275noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6995581126155905852.post-14897976657903048742008-04-04T14:31:00.001-07:002008-11-12T17:52:06.741-08:00Another update<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinNqAoWC246pmGi3D75y3sif0vwjBLvPLAOF-_BUvF_hDXEJmy5ROYSzrhi3OWleDJU0dz3HuSSN9EXY93PDIXcSvHunwHCntlqsRbxDorcZSvPEKNrrHT55J3oskOtdBmcuVzUo1S-Jzs/s1600-h/shortsighted-hospital.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinNqAoWC246pmGi3D75y3sif0vwjBLvPLAOF-_BUvF_hDXEJmy5ROYSzrhi3OWleDJU0dz3HuSSN9EXY93PDIXcSvHunwHCntlqsRbxDorcZSvPEKNrrHT55J3oskOtdBmcuVzUo1S-Jzs/s200/shortsighted-hospital.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185508691826434018" /></a><br />Unfortunately it seems that Kaiser and Health Net will not cover a continous glucose monitor as it "...has not been demonstrated to improve the condition of diabetic patients." Like it'll hurt?<br /><br />I have Jen's doctor working on an appeal to both companies. It's a long shot, but you never know.<br /><br />Jen is still sick...and has refused tube feeding for the past 48 hours...<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />UPDATE APRIL 7:</span> Jen is back on her feeding tube as of yesterday...Paulhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08134626571444683275noreply@blogger.com2