Simply Not The Best

Our concern is that all of us in business and in life don't always do our best. We're really critical of ourselves and we often admit to slot and inactivity knowing that there is better way of living. What made "this country great" has always been our drive to do better - together - rich helping poor, healthy helping infirmed, strong helping weak. That's the American way - united we stand. Whether that was in achievements, inventions or families we strive to go beyond what we've done before to what we can do today.

"Nations, like men, often march to the beat of different drummers, and the precise solutions of the United States can neither be dictated nor transplanted to others. What is important is that all nations must march toward a increasing freedom; toward justice for all; toward a society strong and flexible enough to meet the demands of all of its own people, and a world of immense and dizzying change." - Robert F. Kennedy

The headlines from CNN - Women's health an 'urgent priority', The Associated Press (AP) and the U.S. News & World Report highlighted AIDS, only TIME trumpeted - Why Sexism Kills. While the original World Health Organization (WHO) press releases stated: "WHO calls for action beyond the health sector to improve the health of girls and women" -

• Despite progress, societies continue to fail women at key times
• Women provide the bulk of health care, but rarely receive the care they need
• Women live longer than men but these extra years are not always healthy
• Despite some biological advantages, women's health suffers from their lower socio-economic status
• Policy change and action is needed within the health sector and beyond

It's easy for this nation to ignore the world when it tries to lead and direct what was usually our domain. The United States is the world leader and we set the pace for the rest to follow. We're not use to taking orders the same way PearlieMae's not use to doing what we need to do to take care of ourselves. However when it's our loved ones there is nothing we won't do to make them safe, healthy and better.

I'll pray for you, you pray for me
I love you
I need you to survive
I won't harm you
With words from my mouth
I love you
I need you to survive - David G. Frasier(View)(Listen)

Have a wonderful Veteran's Day. If you have a vet in your life, write, call, email send love in any and every way you can. If you are a Vet - we salute you! Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!

Cancer Cholesterol / Cholesterol Cancer?!?!

We blame the researchers and the publications but if we spent the money and got our lazy behinds out to every single medical conference in the country we could get the verification for the information reported in the news. But have you read us? We tire easily and we're not the "Big & Rich" (hey they're not any longer) business we hope to be. What we can report is our experiences with Pearlie Mae Frierson Leach, after whom we are so named. All are articles we suggest you peruse beyond the headlines and the news story.

Many of the headlines (ABC News, US News & World Report, AP, WedMD), which are difficult to write, don't quite shed light on the complexity of the results. If the materials aren't publicly published we can't verify. We write (rather) email for more info to the mentioned speakers but they don't usually reply. While the info might be cited it can't always be checked. We just thought you should know! We're on it - as best we can!

The headline: Low Cholesterol May Be Sign of Undiagnosed Cancer from ABC News yesterday said: "Low total cholesterol may be a sign of cancer rather than a cause, as some researchers have suggested, and men who have low cholesterol actually have a lower risk of developing high-risk prostate cancer, two teams reported on Tuesday."

That headline seemed to contradict this headline from US News and World Report: "Low Cholesterol May Help Prevent Cancer - Two studies dispel longstanding fears about possible connection - Low blood cholesterol levels reduce the risk not only of heart disease but also of cancer, two new studies show."

AP reported using the same research report: "Men may protect more than their hearts if they keep cholesterol in line: Their chances of getting aggressive prostate cancer may be lower, new research suggests." WedMD reported: "Radiation treatment cuts the risk that melanoma will come back in people at high risk for recurrence, a new study suggests. Researchers studied more than 200 people with melanoma at high risk of having their cancer return after surgery because the disease had spread to the lymph nodes."

The original abstract from Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention (CEBP) concluded: "Results from the two analyses of cholesterol and risk of cancer published in this issue of Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention provide one answer and raise two new questions. Results from the ATBC analysis clearly show that low total cholesterol is unlikely to increase risk of cancer. At the same time, the ATBC results raise a new question about the potential role of high HDL cholesterol and its correlates in reducing risk of cancer."

You had to be there - unfortunately we couldn't and weren't. Hey its not the last time. We're working on other stories and because we weren't there we'll have to wait for responses to our questions from the researchers who tend to be too busy to answer emails. That's just the way it is!

That's a Fact, Jack! (or Jill)

...as the case may be. We're not sexist! Just paraphrasing Bill Murray from STRIPES (1981). We heard pandemic when the World Health Organization (WHO) said it. We knew what the word meant and when everybody said don't worry and don't panic we knew different. We knew not to panic but concerned we were and said. In that vain we have to call you attention to the numbers that some might be frighten by in the latest report from the online journal Emerging Infectious Diseases gave Associated Press (AP), Reuters, Wall St Journal, and WedMD which had the very scary headline: "140 Times More Early Swine Flu Than Reported."

"Here's the thing" to quote Monk. As scary as the headlines might be we think it's worst than that. Two things happened. One the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) changed its graphics concerning the numbers and how the numbers are reported. They reset their figures and started only publicly counting the deaths of children. The numbers were worst than reported.

"Through July 2009, a total of 43,677 laboratory-confirmed cases of influenza A pandemic (H1N1) 2009 were reported in the United States, which is likely a substantial underestimate of the true number. Correcting for under-ascertainment using a multiplier model, we estimate that 1.8 million–5.7 million cases occurred, including 9,000–21,000 hospitalizations." (PDF)

The latest report is based on figures that are restricted based on the suggestions of the CDC. Under what you can do to stay healthy: "Stay home if you get sick.

JURISDICTIONS 2009 2008 2007 District of Columbia Baltimore, MD Richmond / Norfolk, VA 97 627 208 67 680 179 54 541 191 DEATH TOTALS WEEK 41 932 926 786

CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them." It's right under their first suggestion: "Get vaccinated." No where does the CDC suggest that you go to your local hospital for treatment or to report your illness. Their suggestion is to hide yourself. Do not disclose your illness. Keep it quiet.

The report deals with estimates from "April–July 2009" this was when the pandemic was at is smallest. Stories abounded on the how "much ado about nothing" although every such story ignored the fact that this virus started earlier than flu ever starts. The CDC and history showed that the apex for infections occur in February so even having a vaccine available by October would protect more American than ever before. You'd be ahead of the game. It was wrong.

The CDC has changed its charts only once before in reporting the number of deaths as a result of the H1N1 flu. The first time they reported only verified number of infection. Now they admit "virtually everything that's circulating now is the 2009 H1N1 influenza strain." (CDC).

That's why we say and agree with the report that the numbers are larger but we think that a pandemic is a PANDEMIC and the number will be worst IF we don't get the vaccines distributed much sooner. Pregnant women and children are important. Extremely important - unfortunately in a sinking boat (a pandemic) every man / woman for themselves. To remind everyone the government only has ten (10) per cent of the available vaccine.

Notice the second change by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) the charts used to show the reported infections makes it difficult to determine the weeks reported and makes no comparison to prior years as earlier charts showed. The report is based on the smallest amount of reported cases. The actually numbers are consistent with pandemic numbers.

(O)ver the next several weeks it should become more easily available. And as I've been saying each day we are seeing forward progress. We're expecting a lot of vaccination effort this is weekend in a number of places. - Anne Schuchat, the CDC Director Of The National Center For Immunization And Respiratory Diseases (HEAR)

There are shortages because the for profit industry has sufficient supplies. The general public has shortages. We're in line for the discount vaccines, the left overs.

"The commercial sector is increasing production of the Tamiflu and, of course, there is also Ralenza available. Important to say that capsule production is what is -- has really been increased. There are more and more capsules being made or shipped out. And what we want parents to know is that capsules are fine for kids, even kids that can't swallow pills because there's a way for the pharmacist or for you at home to convert that capsule into a liquid." - Anne Schuchat, (CDC) the Director Of The National Center For Immunization And Respiratory Diseases (HEAR)

This isn't any kind of conspiracy and we don't mean to even suggest such a thing so: "Calm Down!" We love conspiracies but we agree most (read most) people will survive their infections. Our suggestions has been to tell someone for your own protection and have someone to check on you when infected. To which we'd like to update that information with IF you have private insurance and IF your doctor has access to Tamiflu the "antiviral" get it! Recent research shows that the antivirals reduce the symptoms and speeds recover. Yes it can create other problems and indeed this H1N1 may be a result of that (speculation - ignore).

We could be wrong but we don't think so!

Flu Lines

During the riots in the 60s the national guard was called out and a curfew was established. Now might be the time to enact such a measure. Why? Long lines of people queuing up to receive a limited number of flu shots seems counter productive. While most people are not infected allow for such a large congregations seems to us, whether waiting outside or inside for the vaccine, to be breeding ground for infection. We would discourage anyone from lining up excessively to receive treatment though we must admit awaiting further supplies to arrive seems extremely dangerous.

According to the manufacturer of the vaccine, Sanofi Pasteur, "Production of seasonal influenza vaccine for both Northern and Southern hemispheres is still a priority as seasonal influenza is a very serious illness, causing an estimated 250,000 to 500,000 deaths per year, according to WHO global figures."

Only the protected can be certain of survival. While the figures are worldwide the Associated Press (AP) reports: "Since April, swine flu has killed more than 800 people in the U.S., including 86 children, 39 of them in the past month and a half, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. More than half of all hospitalizations since the beginning of September were people 24 and under." Locally we know the number to be to date in our jurisdiction as reported to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to be in excess of 858 in our area alone. These are the actual figures reported to the CDC by our health department not reported to the public.

AP quotes the CDC as saying: "Federal officials counsel patience, saying that eventually there should be enough of both vaccines for everyone who wants them." The CDC reported through Dr. Anne Schuchat: "Influenza is widespread in the country and illness, hospitalizations and deaths continue to increase. 41 states are now identifying widespread disease from influenza, that's up from 37 last week. The other states are all seeing either regional or local activity. It's unprecedented for this time of year to have the whole country seeing such high levels of activity." (Listen)

The Associated Press added: "Flu vaccines are not nearly as profitable as other kinds of drugs, and most of the biggest vaccine makers have little incentive to switch from a method with which they are familiar. At its two plants in the Pocono Mountains town of Swiftwater, Sanofi Pasteur, the top U.S. supplier of seasonal vaccine, is churning out more than 75 million doses of swine flu vaccine and 50 million doses of the winter flu variety."

Sanofi Pasteur not getting with the party line reports: "For U.S. Residents Only - The $150 million, 140,000 square-foot vaccine facility is part of the company’s commitment to support public health and to protect individuals against seasonal and pandemic influenza. When operating at full capacity, the new influenza facility is expected to produce 100 million doses of seasonal influenza vaccine annually. In total, sanofi pasteur will have a capacity of approximately 150 million does of trivalent seasonal vaccine per year in the U.S. – 50 million doses from the existing facility and 100 million doses from the new facility when operating at full capacity." (Video)

We love the Los Angeles Times (LA Times.com) but they (actually reporter Thomas H. Maugh II) gets it wrong: "(C)oncern is growing that the vaccine may arrive too late to do much good. Statistician Sherry Towers and Zhilan Feng of Purdue University reported last week in the journal Eurosurveillance that a mathematical model of the swine flu pandemic predicts that the disease will peak this week."

What Eurosurveillance report actually states first off: "(I)t should be noted that the actual periodic function underlying seasonal forcing of influenza has not been well studied, and the uncertainties in the model predictions arising from seasonal forcing assumptions are difficult to quantify."

Total Doses Shipped as of	10/14/09
District of Columbia Maryland Virginia	14500 130700 265100
TOTALS	410300

There are people infected and recovering. Our warnings are to those who aren't feeling well enough after four (4) days when you've taken care of yourself as soon as you've felt more miserable than you ever have. Get treatment and get it right away. Have someone with you - don't make an appointment - it's too late for that get the shot. Demand the shot. IF YOU'RE ILL. We know you won't be able to do this yourself but have someone available to fight for you. Get someone to fight for you. Demand treatment regardless of whether or not your physician believes you need it or not. What will getting the treatment do to hurt you? It will save your life.

Three Little Pigs

It's a story that can't be true - it more of a fairy tale than a news report but from Denise Grady of the no less than the New York Times wrote: "Three pigs at the Minnesota State Fair tested positive in late August for H1N1, the flu virus that is causing the current pandemic, the Agriculture Department reported Friday." The little is our addition but you understand how we couldn't help ourselves.

It's not quite a biblical pronouncement but it's a sign that hard to ignore. So we revisit the story for you. OK maybe that's going too far. To continue the story from only the New York Times and Monica Davey from Chicago will make us contact the Minnesota Department of Agriculture. We'll keep you informed.

"Infected pigs have been found in eight other countries. The virus does not seem to make pigs very sick. Of 103 pigs tested at the Minnesota fair, in St Paul, only three were found to be carrying the virus, and all appeared healthy. They probably caught the virus from infected people, researchers said." Follow the link and read the story.

From the Associated Press (AP) this bit of info: "In a conference call with reporters Friday, Minnesota Agriculture Commissioner Gene Hugoson said officials don't know what happened to the three pigs, but that they probably were sent to slaughter soon after they were shown at the fair, which ended on Labor Day."

It's not what you know - it's what you can prove in a court of law. Maybe that's true as a defense for charges against the "balloon boy" family. When it comes to the health of you and your family that might not be necessarily so true. We heard the story of the three (3) little pigs and thought we'd heard it or knew the story until we did the researched. Whether this story is true or not the original and the current can still serve as a cautionary tale for us all. What we knew or rather thought we knew of the original story is indeed the basis of the many variation that race to get to the end of the story and leave out much of the story. However the original tale as shown by "A Ladybird 'easy-reading' book" illustrated on the web is probably the best method for a healthy survivable pandemic season - if we like the first pig accept the first available treatment available. While others might think themselves smarter by waiting until other options are exhausted what happens in real life might not emulate what happens in fairy tales.

In the tale the first pig took the first offer, the second big took the second offer and the third pig took the last and historically speaking best offer. In real life the wolf is no longer one (1) huffing and puffing creature but an institution that has no time for press or publication. In the tale the wolf died, boiled alive in the third pigs pot - or did it?

Not according to the follow-up as told by on A. Wolf in his trail transcripts in defense of his actions in the "Defendant Testifies."

In reality all three (3) pigs were sent to slaughter, we contacted the Department of Agriculture (DOA) for verification of the "three (3)" pigs story after finding the press release on their site about the outbreak. We followed up our telephone call with an email to their contact person. In actuality the individual who answered the telephone was not allowed to answer our question: "Were there really three (3) pigs?" They were NOT permitted to do anything other than answer the telephone and take our information for a return call from the appropriate individual.

We understand the need to manage the media. We aren't media. Are we? We report but that doesn't make us reporters. Does it? We seek to understand. Our understanding of all things government is that it doesn't matter who is in office. Governments operate in secret. Secrets get people killed. Transparency by our leaders - whom ever they are does not nor ever has existed. Hence our raison d'etre. That's no fairy tale.

Get the vaccine - don't wait. If ill you MAY pull through without hospitalization. You may even show improvement but if you don't receive the proper treatment you can die. Not will die - but your death is "no skin off their nose." Protect yourself and protect your family. Trust but verify!

Warning Signs

It's tomorrow over there today. We thought we'd highlight the ways of staying safe and when you need to be overly concerned. We do it in the midst of the news reports of four (4) dead in Spokane Washington two (2) (a man and a woman) in their homes, one (1) woman in the hospital and the other man's location is unreported. All but one supposedly with no "underlying conditions." For their jurisdiction that is five deaths since September 1st.

Associated Press (AP), Atlanta Journal Constitution (AJC), Bloomberg report: "Giving Kids Tylenol Makes Vaccines Less Effective, Study Finds" - "[U]nless your doctor specifically recommends it, do not administer fever-reducing medicines at the same time as vaccination to prevent your child from developing a fever," said Chen, who wrote an editorial accompanying a report in the Oct. 17 issue of The Lancet."

The article isn't online as of yet but by the time you read this it may be. So we have to take their word for it and as we say this is one of our warning signs.

The AP adds: "It is the first major study to tie reduced immunity to the use of fever-lowering medicines. Although the effect was small and the vast majority of kids still got enough protection from vaccines, the results make "a compelling case" against routinely giving Tylenol right after vaccination, say doctors from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention."

Warning signs
The Spokane Regional Health District advises seeking medical care if the following symptoms develop:

Children
• Fast breathing or trouble breathing
• Bluish or gray skin color
• Not drinking enough fluids
• Severe or persistent vomiting
• Not waking up or not interacting
• Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
• Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and a worse cough

Adults
• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen
• Sudden dizziness
• Confusion
• Severe or persistent vomiting
• Flu-like symptoms improve but then return with fever and a worse cough

"Difficulty breathing; pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen; sudden dizziness; confusion; severe or persistent vomiting; and the easing of flu symptoms followed by a return with a fever and worse cough."

"In children, emergency warning signs also include rapid breathing, bluish or gray skin color, not drinking enough fluids, not waking up or interacting with others; extreme irritability."

"Anyone experiencing those symptoms should seek medical care, the Health District says."

"Those are signs that the illness is outpacing the body’s ability to fight it, said Bill Edstrom, an epidemiologist with the health district. As the illness becomes severe, it moves from the upper respiratory system – the nose and throat – into the lungs and lower respiratory system, making breathing difficult and reducing the oxygen a patient is taking in. As it progresses, it begins weakening other organs and can lead to complications like infections and other illnesses."

“The body starts shutting down,” Edstrom said. “The kidneys might go. Other organs also might fail, and eventually the heart would fail.”

Fore armed is forewarned. Live your life.

How Long Before You Die - Updated

We don't really want to be the flu police. We were tempted to raise alerts from the news from Las Vegas on KTNV-TV connecting obesity and the flu. What it did point up was that we'd have to change our UK suggestions.

What caught our eye was the age and sex of latest death from sin city: "Nancy Simon says she was completely blindsided by her husband's death back in May. She says their family doctor thought it was bronchitis and UMC thought it was pneumonia or a pulmonary embolism..."

"...Only five days after coming down with what initially seemed like a bad cold, Gary Simon died with no preexisting medical conditions other than high blood-pressure..."

"According to Simon, her husband was in fact tested for the H1N1 virus the day before he died. She says the culture later came back as negative. It wasn't until after his autopsy that she learned the truth. "The fact that there are so many false negatives from these tests, you can't settle and say okay, the test came back negative. You have to keep pushing to be retested." She says her husband's death is proof that the healthy aren't immune to the complications that can come with swine flu."

When we saw his photo and found this article on the Associated Press (AP) and reported by the SunTimes and the Examiner we thought we'd investigate: "In Mexico and Canada people who are obese are having a difficult time with the H1N1 swine flu virus, and are having rapidly worsened breathing problems. The death rate for the obese with H1N1 swine flu is higher than other people inflicted with the virus, and the recovery was more difficult. In Mexico and Canada many inflicted with the flu were younger than in a regular flu season. The death rate in Mexican patients is 41% which is much higher than other countries."

The story was also carried by the TwinCities: "It's unclear whether obesity itself causes more complications, but the rate of deaths and hospitalizations among obese people is notably higher, said Dr. Ruth Lynfield, a Minnesota epidemiologist. This trend is surprising because obesity hasn't been a risk factor with previous seasonal influenza, Twin Cities reported."

From Vegas to Minnesota across the border to track down: "A new study suggests many of the Canadians who have died of swine flu or were placed in intensive care during the "first wave" were relatively young, healthy women whose condition deteriorated quickly. While the number of patients studied for the research was small, the lead researcher, Dr. Anand Kumar of St. Boniface Hospital in Winnipeg, Man., said the results shocked him." What kept us from making the leap from flu to obesity to death was this statistic: "17 per cent died within 90 days."

Which is fine if you're a part of the 83 per cent who live past the 90 days. We believe every life is sacred and living shouldn't be percentage game. Our solution - new guidelines. We've said in the past that after ten (10) days head to the hospital and demand the shot. We'd like to amend our timeline.

• Select a someone to fight for you now while you're well
• Don't be sick in secret - have someone check on you.
• You've got four (4) days to feel better
• The H1N1 test can be negative and you still have the H1N1 swine flu
• Find a facility that has or will overnight the treatment to you
• Demand appropriate care - Or have your someone do it
• Day five (5) you must be feeling better

Doctor Fool - Fool Patient

Doctor, Don't Treat Thyself
"A physician who treats himself has a fool for a patient."—Sir William Osler

More old news - we were looking for some video of a local physician posted on the web to which we could link this story and warn against self diagnosis. We found something in time from Little Rock but that's not this jurisdiction. We thought that even though the doctor looks and sounds competent you might NOT have thought so. Dr. Robert Hopkins, UAMS We are NOT saying that this doctor or any doctor is a fool! Repeat we are NOT saying that Dr. Hopkins is a fool!

The Associated Press (AP) and every other news outlet reported: "Microsoft Corp. unveiled the site Wednesday at H1N1ResponseCenter.com. Type in your age — it's only for people over 12 — and answer questions about fever, other symptoms and your underlying health. The program may conclude you've probably got swine flu — known as the 2009 H1N1 strain — but that rest and fluids should be enough care, or that you need a non-emergency call to your own doctor."

For some reason, maybe its the power of the Microsoft dollar but the stories didn't mention all of the other "fix-yourself" sites nor did the mention the dangers. Here's our quick find of such sites followed by our caveat. eCureMe's Self-Diagnostic Center, YourDiagnosis asks questions about every body system. No symptom will go undetected. Your allergies, medications and immunizations are recorded.

DON'T DO IT - If you think you're sick - you're sick! Are you the type of person who are constantly ill? If you are it's doubtful that you'll ever self-diagnose because you're sick and tired of doctors and hospitals. The Microsoft site asks if its for you or someone else so it maybe possible to diagnosis a hard headed friend.

We support and agree with WrongDiagnosis.com: "Self diagnosis is a dangerous practice. In fact, it is one of the most likely ways to get a misdiagnosis, which is the one thing we want to avoid. We recommend you always seek prompt professional in-person medical advice from your local qualified medical professional. In practice, self diagnosis is common for many of the most common symptoms and ailments. When you feel the symptoms of a common cold coming on, you don't always rush to the doctor to confirm it. We nevertheless urge you to consult with your doctor about any symptoms, particularly if there is any doubt or concern, or if the symptoms concern a child, infant, elderly, ill, infirm, pregnant, or otherwise at-risk patient."

What we are is an educational service and you're probably already inclined to use such a service anyway. So if you must - here's the link. We took the test and said we had a fever over 100.4 degrees - what they don't tell you is that you need the following information including a thermometer: "Enter your zipcode, your sex - Male or Female? Your age - How old are you? How many days have you felt like you might have the flu? (With the following limited choices - 24 hours or less, 1-2 days, 2-3 days, 5 or more days). Has your temperature been higher than 100.4º F (38º C) within the last 24 hours? Do you have a cough or a sore throat? Is it hard to breathe, or do you feel short of breath, since you got sick? Can we store and share your answers with health officials and researchers?"

Our fake results brought this answer - "Based on your answers, you probably have the flu and you might be very sick. Call your doctor now! Call your doctor now. Tell your doctor you might be very sick from the flu. Ask if you need to be seen right now. If you need to be seen right now, ask your doctor where to go (doctor's office, walk in clinic or the emergency room). When you see the doctor, ask if you need medicine for the flu. If you can't reach your doctor, go to the emergency room. If you think you have an emergency, call 9-1-1."

The cost of health care and the cost of vigilance is an increasingly expensive health care system. That's a legitimate cost which IF it resulted in our receiving the best care with us being the healthiest citizens in the world would have to be addressed in a more than cost cutting fashion. We don't have the best health care in the world because we have too many dead citizens. What we do have are individuals seeking to make our system better. That's the American way - that we can and must be number one!