Years ago I went in for a sigmoidoscopy. My first one.This was back when I still had a prostate.The technician asked me whether it would be okay if a young female medical student could be in the room...
I have the RedMed Airsense 10 CPAP too. I've had it for about 4 years. Still working strong. I received it through my previous PCP and a different Medicare Advantage insurance plan. Instead of going...
I've been using a CPAP with a simple nose cushion for 3 years. It's helped me tremendously. There were times when I woke up with damp clothing and couldn't figure out what was happening. I thought it...
At the max dose of atorvastatin (lipitor) 80mg my LDL levels averaged out at about 70. My internist added Zetia and my LDL initially fell to about 30. I asked him if that was too low. He said it was...
I've had 2 major surgeries as an adult. I've never thanked the surgical team before my surgery. That's strikes me as a bit presumptive. I wait to thank them after I've regained consciousness....
Very interesting recently published study in the ACS Journal, re: quality of life advantages for post-treatment non-metastatic Pca patients who consume plant-based diets exclusively, ie. sexual...
I've been on statins for over 20 years. Currently taking the max dose (80mg) of atorvastatin (lipitor). LDL is about 40. Total cholesterol is 95. Triglycerides 45. I take Zetia too, which has...
It was reported in the mainstream news that following his initial admission to the hospital in 2024 on Jan 01, that Biden didn't even realize he had been hospitalized until Jan 04. And this was at a...
Knowledge is good. Of course, people should be cautious about what they read on-line when it comes to healthcare advice. But it's a starting point that might encourage more research, after which...
No prostate cancer that I know of in my bloodline. What caused it? Who knows? Maybe it was the way I was potty trained as a child. That's something Freud might say. After my surgery I was at the...
Good on you, Central (for your eligibility). Depending on the location, VA care can provide excellent treatment on many fronts. They've come a long ways. With 100% I think (not positive) that you...
I was never in Nam. But I worked in a facility with massive antennas and a lot of electromagnetic radiation floating around. No history of Pca in my family at all. As far back as I can trace. Often...
The experts only figured out that I was a 3+4 at the 4th biopsy. By that time it has already grown outside the capsule. Surgical margin was super close (malignancy abutted the margin) but was claimed...
Someone much smarter than I am once told me "Nothing is often a good thing to do and almost always a clever thing to say". Never followed his advice....
I was told for 5 years that I was a Grade 1 (3+3) with low percentage cores, until suddenly I wasn't. No worries. Shortly thereafter, I learned I was pT3a with EPE. Life is full of surprises. Lesson...
I don't know. The Taylor-Travis connection strikes me as more like a business merger than a romantic relationship. I care more about what goes in the lives of my neighbors than the glorified...
I have a different theory. I recall as a young person, I found much of the education system to be boring and time seemed like it was frozen, waiting for graduation day. Then after graduation, I had...
I was diagnosed a couple years younger than what you are. On active surveillance for about 5 years. I was referred by a PCP to urology after my PSA jumped from about 4 to a little over 6. I knew next...
Looking back on my own experience, Rule #1 is don't panic and let the emotions take control. I know. Easier said than done. One hour at time. I had to go through 4 biopsies before they found my 3+4...
Based upon what I've seen at the beach in recent years, the return of the one-piece as the majority swimwear would be a blessing....
If the Beatles arrived on the scene today, in today's music business environment chances are they wouldn't even make it out of Liverpool, unless perhaps they turned they're creative magic in the...
I agree it would have been nice for Austin to be up front on his prostate cancer to urge all men to get their PSA's checked regularly to catch it in its early stages while it's curable. He's in the...
I hope his procedure went well with a favorable prognosis. According to reports, there was a complication. Infection? But I think he should have informed the POTUS and others in charge that he was...
Mumbo, you got those quotes from Vince and myself reversed. No biggie. But it might confuse the readers....
I loved all the old time comedians. As opposed to the rock stars, they only got better with age. Jack Benny, Rodney Dangerfield, Jackie Gleason, Sid Caesar, Steve Allen, of course the master George...
I'm not big on paying $100-$300 a ticket to see these ancient rock stars. I loved 'em in their day but it just ain't the same and I don't want to get let down. I want to remember what they were in...
Ringo (Richard Starkey) is one of the luckiest guys in the world. His musical talent compared to the talent of Lennon/McCartney or even Harrison was next to nothing. But he fit in. Ringo had (and...
Yeah, I got a couple buddies about my age or even a little older who market themselves as super-studs. ha. The girls just laugh at them. But boys will be boys. It's part of the human condition....
I guess everybody has their own opinion. I'm an old man. Of course, my libido is nothing close to what it was when I was a young guy. I figured God designed it that way, and when I put some logical...
Opioids were a godsend for me during my recovery from open heart surgery nearly 2 decades ago. The doc prescribed hydrocodone. Without it, don't know how I would've slept at night for the first 2...
This is precisely the reason I do most of my local driving in a car that is over 25 years old. It's my pride and joy. So simple I can do most repairs myself. The limited technology reduces the number...
Amazing. Nowhere on the bucket lists did I see anything about: 1) Help make the world a better place to live for my fellow humans. 2) Do volunteer work to help those less fortunate than myself. 3)...
BB. I hear ya. I've known CRNA's. So many things can go wrong while a patient is under anesthesia. And you can't ask them where they hurt. All you got are your digital readouts. After my surgeries...
I recall a number of years ago when I had a question and an interest in getting my pathology report re-evaluated by another pathologist. Of course, I previously read rave reviews about Dr. Epstein...
In my working life I observed evaluators who were extremely fair, unbiased and objective in their analyses, and I've seen others who let their personal feelings interfere with the process. I've...
JNF. I've never discussed my surgeon's policy not to accept Medicare business with him. I assume he might have had some bad experiences somewhere along the line with Medicare and decided to not join...
The surgeon who performed my RALP is one of the best around. I believe he's done over 3,000 RALP's. He's affiliated with a medical organization (university) that has a partnership with the VA. Many...
Some consider veterinarians inferior to human medical doctors. I disagree. A dog can't tell the doctor where it hurts. The doctor has to figure that out for him or herself. Imagine if humans did the...
For the other side to the story, I suggest you review the Milliman actuarial analysis that compares the cost of the FFS and Advantage Medicare programs. I referenced the report in one of my earlier...
Hi Vince. Sorry you had problems with the VA. I enrolled back in Year 2000 or thereabouts. At that time all I had to show was my DD Form 214 to prove I served active duty and was honorably...
Not one agent, JNF. Several agents. When the subject came up, not one that I talked to told me that they made more commission on Advantage than on FFS. Their claims had no bearing on my choice of...
JNF. I was told that the commissions were higher for the FFS supplements than for the Advantage plans by several agents. Just reporting what I was told. No confusion on my part. My point about the...
Roger that, Mumbo. Let's enjoy it while we can. I just don't know how our kids and grand kids are going to pay for it all going forward with all us old people jumping aboard the Medicare train. Maybe...
The insurance agent who helped me enroll (and others I spoke to) told me that they actually get higher commissions by enrolling patients into the FFS original Medicare, rather than into the Advantage...
I'm far from being an expert on Medicare plans. However, I did some serious research and talked to many insurance agents who specialize in Medicare products when I first enrolled. I would urge anyone...
The Medicare system is complex and costly across the board. But if you think about it, which system, the Supplement Fee-for-Service (FFS) or the Advantage system, would be more efficient when costs...
I've taken it. Not consistently. But semi-regularly. I've read in some medical journals that it helps with inflammation in general. Inflammation is behind many of our ailments. As we get older,...
"TJ - If you have a free plan and get money back, you don't have to look far for reasons why Medicare is going broke" Mumbo, FYI. As I mentioned, I use a Medicare Advantage Plan, not a supplemental....
As a surgery-only patient, I opt for the ultrasensitive test for more time to plan in the event that I need further treatment. I don't want to see a sudden 0.13 PSA result then feel I have to put it...
The financial hole that's been dug with Social Security is a drop in the bucket compared to the massive burden imposed upon the taxpayers with Medicare/Medicaid. As the population ages and as more...