Friday, November 23, 2007

Hit by lightning

I asked my wife if she'd done anything to upset God lately. Two weeks ago, she was in a car wreck, and so I was only half-kidding, because when a storm came through the other night, lightning struck nearby. Our power was out for a minute, and when it came back on, her computer, the cable modem, the wireless router and MY TREADMILL no longer worked.

I'm thinking that's going to be expensive. We'll see.

Thursday, November 22, 2007

Another rest day

It's still in my chest, but at least I've got some anti-biotics now. Thanksgiving dinner was an awesome gluten-free extravaganza. My wife's family rocks!

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

Gluten-Free Medicine?

That cough turned into sinusitis and bronchitis, and now I find myself looking for some gluten free medicine. In my 2003 guide to medications, it says that Zithromax (the pill) is not gluten free, but the suspension (usually given to kids...) is. I always get funny looks at Walgreens. The Waltussin DM seems okay, too.

As an aside, I think the FDA should rename those "inactive ingredients" to something like "mostly benign ingredients" Has anyone out there run into trouble going off the "approved" list for their medical plan because of gluten ingredients?

Saturday, November 17, 2007

Bending rules

So if you have a cold, do you go out and run/train? I've heard that if it's in your chest, don't do it, but if it's still up in your head, it's up to you. I've followed that rule with success and broken it at my peril.

Well, this cough is in my chest, which is a workout no-no. The catch is my wife said that I better do something because I get surly if I don't exercise (she knows I haven't done much for a week - so maybe I was already a little irritable ;-). So I bent the rule and walked a half-hour on the treadmill. I have to admit I feel a little better.

Friday, November 16, 2007

I guess this is my offseason...

I haven't worked out in a week. I hate being sick. Stupid cough. I went to bed at 8:30 last night and slept for 10 hours.

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

2 days flat on my back

Nasty bug. No long run this weekend and then I missed 2 days of work for this stomach thing. Unbelievable (and no - I didn't catch some gluten, but thanks for asking).

Thursday, November 8, 2007

Celiac Disease Corrected by Bone Marrow Transplant?

Well, I'd be the first to say that I think my reading list might be a bit eclectic, and I may not understand the medicine, but this article seemed like big news to me. Medicine is amazing.

It really has me thinking forward. What would the world be like for CD if there were a cure (albeit extreme and expensive)?

The Celiac community has been wandering in the gaps of the medical profession for decades -- this could put us square on it.
  • Would people even sign up for a bone marrow transplant to cure their CD? (Not me - but a career baker might?)
  • Would the medical profession allow it as too risky for a non-life threatening situation (post diagnosis)?
  • Would companies be able to use the cost in business cases to drive other, less invasive or costly treatments?
  • Would health insurance companies reimburse for the cure? In lieu of that, would they start reimbursing gluten free food?
  • What happens to the Celiac community and the support groups? Do we switch the mission from awareness?
  • Do oncologists start coming to support group meetings to drum up business?
Brave new world out there.