Monday Morning Mumble
Posted by Michelle Moquin on April 13th, 2009
I have been sick in bed with a cold for the past two days, so I’m going to mumble my way through this blog today. Yesterday I got a bit antsy. So I decided to go to the grocery store and take Lucy for a short walk. I needed some sunshine and fresh air on my face. There is a sweet little park near Whole Foods that I like to walk her at, so after shopping we stopped by for a little stroll.
When I got out of the car I noticed that some kids had been playing on the sidewalk, drawing out easter eggs and writing messages in pastel-colored chalk. I smiled when I read them: “You are loved”, and “Remember Joy”. Hmm…sometimes, the most wonderful things appear right in front of your eyes just when you need them. Both, good reminders.
Oh, so I noticed there were no comments from yesterday’s post – did I hit a soft spot with some of you women out there? I hope so. If anything, maybe I inspired some of you to think before you act. I was hoping to get some feedback as I am no pro in this area. I have no experience thankfully on either end. But to me it is all common sense when you think about it – yes? Or No? Blog me if you have anything to add. I am hoping that you will.
Hi Anna: We’ve been hearing from you a lot lately – how delightful – thanks for posting and adding some diversity to the blog. I would love to try your satay recipe sometime. – sounds delish. And, I can see that you wanted to link the article for the pool tourney so I will do so here for you. Good Luck to Guam’s Shanelle Loraine! Hafa Adai.
Doug: I got lost in the story too. When I first saw this I did not see the title of the video, so I was not aware that she only had one arm until the middle of the dance. They are both so amazing….beautiful….you are so right…poetry in motion.
Zen Lill: Yeah…it’s hard to come up with words, I agree. The dance says it all and the feelings we feel are our response, and no words are needed. Speaking of words…So…once again we do not speak. As I mentioned I have been on the low and today I am better but going right back to bed after I post this. We’ll talk sooner or later, I am sure. Hope that you had a good weekend.
Hafa Adai Peter: It sounds like Guam has quite the project coming up with a few important concerns that need to be addressed. From the articles that you and Anna have been posting these past few weeks, Guam needs some attention – don’t ya think?
And speaking of attention, I need to pay some attention to my needs….peace out.
Gratefully your blog host,
michelle
Aka BABE: Your Bad Ass Bitch Editor
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April 13th, 2009 at 2:36 pm
Hi Mischa, actually I do have a few words to say re: yesterday’s post…
Many young women that I’ve spoken with have voiced the opinion that men are too demanding of time, energy, offer not much thats enticing anyway bc they don’t want kids, etc…and so while they may want a relationship men have made it difficult and these are women who are in midst of career building themselves and do not want to dedicate all their emotional resources to man pleasing (as they see it). Why do they choose marrieds? Bc they’re on best behavior, don’t require lots of time or upkeep and that suits them just fine. Understandable points in picking marrieds and/or singles who are career dudes, but wtf happened to the feeling part of the relationship deal…??
I had a date with a married man once (unknowingly) until the kiss thing, then I sensed something and said, ‘you’re married’ he got flustered and started apologizing like mad, I stormed out of the car and walked back to call a taxi. He called and left messages and maybe he did ‘just get carried away with himself’ but he wouldn’t have told me if I didn’t guess so I asked him when I finally took a call, ‘so would any of this behavior be cool with you if your wife was doing it?’ silence…hmm, yeah that’s what I thought.
Enough said, unless said married is undoing the deal, don’t bother, even then ‘trust but verify…’ bc if he/she is still having sex with their spouse, you’re barking up the wrong tree. And men may lie about that detail but a woman would not.
Caio for now, Zen Lill
April 14th, 2009 at 6:57 am
HIGH-INTENSITY FOCUSED ULTRASOUND (HIFU) FOR PROSTATE CANCER
Some men with prostate cancer are planning expensive trips abroad — but not for vacation. They are seeking a high-tech and somewhat controversial treatment for their cancer that promises fewer side effects and a rapid recovery — and, perhaps, higher odds of survival. Not approved here in the US for prostate cancer, the minimally invasive HIFU (High Intensity Focused Ultrasound) uses focused ultrasound beams to heat the prostate to temperatures higher than 80 degrees Celsius, destroying cancer cells. While it sounds promising, this procedure, is not as simple as it first appears to be. There are risks inherent to traveling abroad for medical procedures, in general. (See Daily Health News, for more on “medical tourism.”) And then there’s the treatment itself…
AN UNFINISHED TALE
HIFU treats prostate cancer without destroying surrounding tissue, reducing the likelihood of problems such as incontinence and impotence, which are often associated with other treatments such as surgery, radiation and cryotherapy. This is alluring to the growing number of prostate cancer patients who, expecting to live years beyond their treatment, want to preserve their health and quality of life. Though one in six American men will be diagnosed with the disease in their lifetime, only one in 35 will die from it.
HIFU can be an excellent technology when used “in the right hands among appropriate patients,” I was told by Thomas Gardner, MD, associate professor of urology at Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis. He is a researcher involved in clinical trials of Sonablate HIFU here in the US. Phase I/II trial results, published in the Journal of Urology in December 2007, were encouraging: “High-intensity focused ultrasound in patients with previously untreated prostate cancer is generally well tolerated and it has the potential to completely ablate the prostate gland,” their study concluded, noting “with further refinement of the optimal treatment dose and technique, this technology has the potential to be an effective form of therapy for localized prostate cancer.” However, research efforts have been partly delayed for the Phase III trial due to recruitment and funding problems.
Of course, given risks of the current treatment options, such as surgery, many men are still anxious to try what appears to be a better, more tolerable and more effective method. Though there are claims of fewer side effects compared with other prostate cancer treatments, Dr. Gardner said this has yet to be proven — and the same holds true for HIFU’s long-term cure rates. No published US clinical trial data comparing long-term cure rates of HIFU with other standard prostate cancer therapies is available.
HOW HIFU WORKS
There are two types of HIFU technologies, neither approved in the US. Both use a transrectal probe to deliver ultrasound energy directly to the prostate without causing damage to areas outside of the gland. “This technology can spare nerves, whereas other prostate cancer treatments often cannot,” Dr. Gardner explained.
• Sonablate. This technology is available in Mexico as well as Canada, the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Argentina, Japan, Europe and South Africa. The equipment uses a split-beam technology allowing the doctor to visualize and treat the cancerous area. It has four different probes of varying focal lengths that can all be used sequentially in one treatment session. “The Sonablate is a more controllable device because it can provide adjustable focused ultrasound,” explained Dr. Gardner. HIFU with Sonablate is an outpatient procedure usually lasting between two and three hours, depending on the size of the prostate. Since it involves no incision, cutting or radiation, it can easily be repeated if necessary. It can also be used as a salvage therapy if there is a recurrence of cancer in the event other treatments fail.
• Ablatherm. In comparison, this is a device produced by the French company EDAP TMS and is approved for use in Canada, Europe, Russia, South Korea and Australia. It employs just a single focal zone length and does not allow for monitoring during treatment. It’s more of a ” ‘one size fits all’ device because it only delivers focused ultrasound at one distance,” says Dr. Gardner. Also, Ablatherm sometimes requires a pre-surgical procedure, called a transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) in large prostates, while the Sonablate does not.
THE PRICE IS ONE BIG PROBLEM…
Beyond a lack of data, the real downside of HIFU for consumers is cost. Treatment can range between $10,000 and $25,000, depending on where the patient is treated. Insurance companies rarely pick up the tab. It’s perhaps understandable that some patients, especially those with deep pockets, might waive those concerns, but the problem with seeking HIFU treatment overseas is that some clinics offering the therapy may be largely motivated by big profits, says Dr. Gardner, not quality patient care. The results can be devastating. Many off-shore sites seek to treat as many patients as quickly as they can… potentially leaving a significant percentage under-treated. Due to the size of the prostate and amount of time it takes to treat it effectively, two or three HIFU treatments may be required to eradicate the cancer — and patients are not necessarily told this before they begin.
For prostate cancer patients who are nonetheless interested in pursuing HIFU, how can they protect themselves?
First, says Dr. Gardner, is to find out whether or not it’s a good therapy for their cancer. HIFU therapy is reasonable for patients who meet all these criteria:
• Early stage (T1 or T2) cancer with localized (organ-confined) tumors
• A Gleason score (a grading score of the prostate tumor that indicates how likely the tumor is to spread) of less than or equal to 6
• A PSA level less than 10 ng/mL
• Have had a recent (within six months) prostate biopsy that is positive for cancer cells.
• A prostate volume of less than 40 cc.
Be sure to carefully investigate the quality of physicians and facilities at the HIFU clinic you are considering. Dr. Gardner has concerns about the treatments in places such as Mexico or the Dominican Republic, where he believes there’s not as much control over the quality of care — a problem that gets truly dangerous when coupled with a financial incentive in some clinics to treat as many patients as possible. Also, while there is no data demonstrating Sonablate to be superior to Ablatherm, Dr. Gardner believes its flexibility makes it easier to use. How to reconcile the choice? He says wait for a clinical trial or take your chances.
However, Dr. Gardner urges caution. “Patients should be very careful,” he said. “There are several established techniques, such as surgery, radiation and cryotherapy, available in the US for the treatment of localized prostate cancer. While these do have some risk to future male function, unlike HIFU, they are generally conducted in approved hospital or surgical settings. Here in the US, it is only safe to have unapproved techniques such as HIFU in a clinical trial setting.”
Do not sign up for treatment unless you have thoroughly discussed your case and your eligibility with your doctor, he cautions.
Source(s): ??Thomas Gardner, MD, associate professor of urology at Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis, Indiana. Dr. Gardner specializes in the care of patients with cancers of the urinary system including prostate, kidney and bladder. He joined the Indiana University faculty after completing a Urologic Oncology Research Fellowship at the University of Virginia. He continues to develop novel therapies for patients with urologic cancers and conducts clinical trials through the Walther Oncology Center.?
April 14th, 2009 at 7:07 am
Thanks Michelle for allowing me and Peter to post to your blog. It is the biggest thing on Guam besides face book.
For those of you missing the festivities during Easter Sunday on Guam here’s a taste.
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Guam’s faithful celebrate Easter Sunday
BY BRYAN C. SUALOG • PACIFIC DAILY NEWS • APRIL 13, 2009
The island’s faithful flocked to their churches yesterday to celebrate Easter Sunday, which commemorates the day Jesus rose from the dead.Before heading to family functions, many people woke up early to attend the 7:30 a.m. Children’s Liturgy at the Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral-Basilica.
During the Mass, children held on tightly to the Easter baskets they brought with them, anticipating the annual Easter egg hunt that followed the ceremony.
Pre-confirmation and confirmation students along with volunteers stuffed about 2,000 eggs for this years hunt, said Corren Leon Guerrero, one of the coordinators of the even.
“It’s nice to see the families celebrating the resurrection,” she said. “It’s a nice tradition to pass on to the children — come first and give thanks and praise and then have fun.”
Leon Guerrero, who has been helping out with the event for the past 10 years, said more and more people come every year to celebrate. “It just keeps growing and growing. It’s a good sign because children are gifts from God.”
Prizes were given out to the child who found the golden egg and to the child who collected the most eggs, she said.
In addition to the Easter egg hunt, Jingles the clown was at hand to pass out balloons and entertain the kids.
Although Angelina Cruz’s oldest daughter had attended the Easter egg hunt before, this was the first time for her youngest daughter, 2-year-old Gabriella.
“Agana is our parish and we’ve been going to Mass here since I was younger. Since the parish does the Easter egg hunt, we chose to bring her to the Children’s Liturgy and let her participate in it,” the Piti resident said.
Island Praise Fellowship also held a its annual resurrection celebration yesterday at Adelup.
“We’ve had it every year,” said Carmen Bourgeois, wife of Pastor Kenny Bourgeois. “We believe that resurrection day is the greatest celebrative day for the believer.”
The activities, which were open to the public, included a service, live music, skits, food and games for the children.
“For us, this is the greatest day. This is the day the lord Jesus rose from the dead,” she said. “So we celebrate his life.”
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Hafa adai
Anna
April 14th, 2009 at 7:15 am
Hafa adai
Anna I tried your recipe. It was delicious. I will be bring the recipe for chicharrones to Guam when I return later this month. Call me. Here’s the article on chicharrones.
Sunday, April 12, 2009 (SF Chronicle)
WHAT’S NEW/Chicharrones fever hits San Francisco
Amanda Gold
If the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market lines are looking especially long at the
Fatted Calf stand these days, it might have something to do with the
chicharrones.
Ryan Farr – formerly chef de cuisine at Orson in San Francisco and
currently an instructor with the C.H.E.F.S. (Conquering Homelessness
through Employment in Food Service) program, which trains homeless and
low-income people in culinary skills – has been frying up pork skins for
years. He recently introduced them to the public as 4505 Chicharrones, a
company he started with his wife, Cesalee.
The rinds are made from local ingredients, including Devil’s Gulch or
Niman Ranch pork, chiles, and a mix of sea salt and sugar. Fried in rice
bran oil, they boast a spectacular airy-crisp texture with sweet and spicy
nuances – “pork candy” at its finest.
Farr says the product has elicited an amazing response.
“I’ve converted four vegetarians,” he says with a chuckle. “One of them
said, ‘I just close my eyes and pretend they’re potato chips.’ ”
And the chicharrones are spreading through the city like wildfire.
Try the snacks at local San Francisco bars including Bloodhound, Elixir
and Mini Bar – they’re the perfect partner to a cold beer – or with your
morning coffee at Ritual Roasters. Farr expects that the snacks will also
show up soon at Blue Bottle, Bi-Rite Market and the Pasta Shop in Oakland
and Berkeley.
Of course, you can always get them at the Fatted Calf stand – just as long
as you don’t mind waiting in line.
The bags are just under 1/2 ounce, and retail from $2.50-$3.50.
Mela
April 14th, 2009 at 8:15 am
I tried to get in yesterday to put my two cents in. But I kept getting a message that I had just said that. Then I noticed that no one made a comment. What happened?
I had an affair with a married man. After three years, he divorced her and married me. We had two children to go with the two he had had with his previous wife. We were together nine years two more that he had been with his first when he divorced me to marry his third wife.
I was just as surprised as the first wife. I had no idea that he had been having an affair until he served me with the divorce papers. I remember when he told me that that was what he was going to do with his first wife. I was shocked! I thought we were happy.
Gloria
April 14th, 2009 at 8:28 am
A friend pointed out to me your article to show me that American women have it worse than we do because their men cheat on them. I didn’t comment because it was obvious that she was so indoctrinated with our islam crap that she would not hear anything constructive I had to say.
I am not trying to lessen the pain women in America feel from cheating men. But here in the world of islam we women are being forced to marry men old enough to be our grandfathers at the age of six. My cousin was sold in “marriage” to a 56 year old man to settle a debt my uncle was in.
We women are but sex slaves to these sick men. Islam is but a license to control and barter women by men. If the rest of the world frees itself from the need of our oil maybe they will be able to force these degenerate animals to take their feet off our necks.
Nawzad
April 14th, 2009 at 8:37 am
My sister is going with a married man. We all know he is married. She expects us to keep her secret. My mother would die if she knew. The creep has been married for 13 years. He is 7 years older than my sister and acts 7 years younger. He says she makes him feel young. He has three children on of which goes to school with my son.
I feel disgusted when he comes over with her. She has been cheating with him for 8 months. He is her boss at work. She knew he was married when she started up with him. Michelle, you are so right about women who date married men. It says a lot about them. I have no respect for my sister any more. I tolerate her because mother lives with me and my husband and she brings the creep over when she visits.
My husband says that it is none of our business. It makes me suspect his morals.
Beverly