StemCell Boost, a Christmas Present from My Sister/Donor on day 261

Good Morning,

Today we have a happy post, about my boost.

boost

bo͞ost

verb

1. 1.

   help or encourage (something) to increase or improve.

noun

1. 1.

   a source of help or encouragement leading to increase or improvement.

   
   

   synonyms:

   uplift, lift, spur, encouragement, help, inspiration, stimulus, pick-me-up.

      Back when I was a Yacht Broker, a presence at the Annapolis Boat Show was mandatory.  Sail and Power Shows, back to back. One year I had gone up alone early, or it was between shows and Army-Navy football match was going on- anyway I was staying in a rental house a few blocks from the Docks. After a  protracted dinner with friends at  McGarveys Saloon and Oyster Bar , my path home took me down along King George Street, past the Naval Academy.  I have been looking on Google Maps, and there have been some changes to the Fencing, probably post 911, but 25 years ago, there was a stand of tall Rhododendrons and Firs between the street and the tall wrought iron fence.

     I heard some rustling in that foliage, and stepped in to see what was going on. To my surprise, there was a group of cadets sneaking back in over the fence!  As I watched, one kid - a plebe no doubt - was giving a leg up to the last of the upperclassmen.


     When I cleared my throat, they all snapped to attention, and I think it was then the kid realized that he was going to be sacrificed.    I said  "stand down" in my most authoritative voice, approached the fence and then said,
      "Kid, if you learn nothing else here, don't be the last one over the fence".

   We were all a bit tipsy, but as I approached the fence, and assumed the leg up position he had used, he realized that I was going to "save his bacon, and started in with the  " Yes  Sir, Sir, thank you Sir".  I told him not to call me sir.

     I then said to the three cadets who had stranded their shipmate - and were poised to run off -

"I have to walk by the gate. Should I tell the duty officer  how you stranded a shipmate, and deserve to be flogged through the fleet?   The brig is too good for you", and before they could respond, walked away.

 I  have often wondered how their respective careers in the Navy played out.

     Today's post is about a different kind of boost, and sacrifice too, and is a happy day for me.
It involves a medical procedure that spans the ages, from the nano-technology of today, to the lodestone of old. High-tech to analog.

I have tried to be as optimistic about my progress as possible, but here I was after 8 months ,  day 261 of my post-transplant life,  still transfusion dependent, having Iron overload from the 100+ transfusions of Red Blood cells, with a compromised liver from all the transfusions and the meds. And as I told those of you who sensed all was not Hunky Dory,  and called or E-mailed me privately know there was more going on at the cellular level then we had figured out yet. Even so,

Something has been wrong, and much effort has been spent by many figuring out what it is.

Today we look at "The Boost"

Follow me below the fold for a medical update, and  The Boost.  1,2,3,  Jump!

Magnesium and Mg deficiency. Medical and incendiary content.

Today we look at Magnesium.

     My knowledge of Magnesium was limited to it's use in flares, incendiary devices, and when alloyed with Aluminum in Volkswagen engine blocks.  When soon after my transplant,  my blood labs came back showing a deficiency of Magnesium,  I researched it right away.

Specifically we will look at:

* Where does it come from?
* Uses in Early  Photography
* Thermite, VW Engine blocks burning Video. As you will see below the fold, Mg burns hot!
* Medical- Testing for, Symptoms of low Magnesium levels, Deficiency.
* Replenishment. Dietary sources and supplements.
*A look at how and why this has become a problem in the last 50 years.
(you may be surprised )

Magnesium.

Magnesium owes its name to magnesite dumps found in Magnesia, a region in the ancient Greek region of Thessaly, and is also a mythical city mentioned in Plato's Laws.

So here we go, ready , set , jump!

Two Jokes, some medical content.

Good Morning all,

“The most wasted of all days is one without laughter.” – E. E. Cummings

Today we have two jokes intended to raise the spirits of the growing number of Stem Cell and Bone Marrow transplantees who are following this blog. Here is a jpeg you can save and stick onto your email or use as an avatar.

Humor is reputed to be the best medicine.  

 Below the jump there are links to the Mayo Clinic and WebMD and to  a site that will send you the joke(s) of the day.  

Caution: Jokes may cause nasal coffee spew, you have been warned.

So follow us over the jump, already...

T-Day getaway day 239

Good Morning All,  

        After much deliberation, we decided the mental health benefits outweighed the physical health risks, and launched an expedition to Smithfield VA for the annual Turkey day ritual.  Over several rivers, and through the woods, to grandmother's house we go!  Except Dot, the Greenman family matriarch is no longer with us. It is amazing to me how well her daughters have carried on the tradition, not only in the galley, but in the way they can fuss  at the menfolk, who probably need fussin' at if the truth be known. So today some food, and a short side trip into the world of the NC cotton harvest.

So buckle up for a road trip and lets jump