Having listened to Edmonton Public Schools Superintendent Edgar Schmidt on the local CBC Radio One this morning, and thinking back to what a number of elementary school teacher friends have mentioned to me in the recent past, I believe that it is time to find a new Superintendent.
This man is accepting and acting on bad advice.
Firstly, his decision to restrict all out-of-province travel (air and ground) for the students in his jurisdiction is, in my mind, misguided. The only reason to make such sweeping statements, and invoke such sweeping bans is if the insurers pulled their support. He makes no mention of that. His statements indicate that he has taken the advice of those close to him, rejecting the advice of the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Health and Wellness, the federal Ministry of Health, and the World Health Organization.
Secondly, his refusal to reimburse parents (students) for the funds they lose through this ban is unfortunate. The Edmonton Catholic School Board (the so-called 'separate' school board) is reimbursing families for their lost funds affected by the somewhat limited ban they have introduced. By the way, my feeling about what the ECSB is doing is very similar to my reaction to the EPSB; they are being silly. Joan Carr's position as superintendent of that school district should also be reviewed.
Third; Mr. Schmidt, by silence or by active endorsement I can't say, has allowed Edmonton Public Schools to impose a new metric (measure of success) on the Elementary School System that is absolutely ludicrous. Teachers will now be measured on students' 'visible delight' with their learning. Who are the people who write these policies?
I believe that all school administrators, from the Superintendent on down through the so-called 'consultants' to the Vice Principal level should be required to spend the equivalent of one teaching month in the classroom. No exceptions.
In the meantime, get rid of Mr. Schmidt.
Wednesday, May 06, 2009
Hypothyrodism confirmed
Damn. I've received confirmation that the radiation therapy has affected my thyroid, leaving me with a mild case of hypothyroidism.
In discussion with my doctor (David Williams) when he called me at 8:00 PM (interesting office hours) he mentioned that 10 years ago the levels of TSH in my system would have been within accepted tolerances. Its only within that 10 years that the medical profession has determined a finer scale for measurement, and have determined a finer scale for treatment. My levels were a '5' when they should have been a '4', if that makes any sense to anyone. I must admit that I'm a bit lost... right down to whether he said TSH or one of the other Ts that are in the mix. I was a bit distracted by the thought of having to take a pill every day for the rest of my life. Although, my symptoms are so minimal that I may be able to skip 'em in a pinch without disastrous effects.
We'll do blood tests in 6 weeks to see if the meds are working, then check again at six months, and then once a year for the duration. If nothing else it will enforce the discipline of the annual checkup.
I started the pills this morning. I don't expect to notice any difference for a week or so. Actually, the symptoms are so minimal that I may not notice the difference unless I consciously think about it...
In discussion with my doctor (David Williams) when he called me at 8:00 PM (interesting office hours) he mentioned that 10 years ago the levels of TSH in my system would have been within accepted tolerances. Its only within that 10 years that the medical profession has determined a finer scale for measurement, and have determined a finer scale for treatment. My levels were a '5' when they should have been a '4', if that makes any sense to anyone. I must admit that I'm a bit lost... right down to whether he said TSH or one of the other Ts that are in the mix. I was a bit distracted by the thought of having to take a pill every day for the rest of my life. Although, my symptoms are so minimal that I may be able to skip 'em in a pinch without disastrous effects.
We'll do blood tests in 6 weeks to see if the meds are working, then check again at six months, and then once a year for the duration. If nothing else it will enforce the discipline of the annual checkup.
I started the pills this morning. I don't expect to notice any difference for a week or so. Actually, the symptoms are so minimal that I may not notice the difference unless I consciously think about it...
Sunday, May 03, 2009
Are the people at CBC Edmonton just stupid?
Now that the World Health Organization has realized that calling something the 'Swine Flu' has serious perception problems for pork producers, they have started referring to the strain as the H1Ni virus, and have asked media outlets to do the same. This is not the same as BSE (Mad Cow Disease). You cannot get the H1N1 flu from pork products, especially once cooked properly. But of course with people being people there is a bit of hysteria surrounding eating pork and the flu. And with politicians being their own species of swine some countries are capitalizing on the fear and promoting local hog producers, while raising embargoes against foreign producers (China and Russia).
The team at CBC Radio in Edmonton seem to be dead set against helping to dispel the myths and continue to refer to the outbreak as 'SWINE' flu, in capital letters. Their approach is going to have even more far reaching consequences now that the residents (one worker, 200 pigs) at an Alberta hog operation have been diagnosed with the H1N1 virus.
This group at CBC seems to be taking delight in the thought that this may be the beginnings of a worldwide pandemic.
Can't they see that it would be much more fun to start referring to the virus as the Hini (heinie) Flu?
The team at CBC Radio in Edmonton seem to be dead set against helping to dispel the myths and continue to refer to the outbreak as 'SWINE' flu, in capital letters. Their approach is going to have even more far reaching consequences now that the residents (one worker, 200 pigs) at an Alberta hog operation have been diagnosed with the H1N1 virus.
This group at CBC seems to be taking delight in the thought that this may be the beginnings of a worldwide pandemic.
Can't they see that it would be much more fun to start referring to the virus as the Hini (heinie) Flu?
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Whew! Its been a bit of a whirlwind of a week so far... G. is getting ready for her annual trip to the UK to visit family, and I am fighting the parameters of an engagement, and not feeling like I'm getting any traction whatsoever.
What I've got is a situation where the client is unable to articulate where they're going with something, usually taking a position that makes no sense, or that contravenes something that we have already architected for them... I make suggestions and they hold firm to their murky vision. I then bring in my supervisor(s) with the hope that they can sway the client and get them back on track, and the client then completely undermines what I've said to my supers by presenting my direction as their own personal epiphanies! I really do dislike the duplicity, and the position it is repeatedly putting me in. And then one another front, it appears that I am doing 'too much' for the client... and from the wrong direction.
It also has to be said that my immediate contact within the client organization has been 'hung out to dry' on this project, with a complete lack of supervision and direction until we reach the pain points...
Damn, but I hate it!
What I've got is a situation where the client is unable to articulate where they're going with something, usually taking a position that makes no sense, or that contravenes something that we have already architected for them... I make suggestions and they hold firm to their murky vision. I then bring in my supervisor(s) with the hope that they can sway the client and get them back on track, and the client then completely undermines what I've said to my supers by presenting my direction as their own personal epiphanies! I really do dislike the duplicity, and the position it is repeatedly putting me in. And then one another front, it appears that I am doing 'too much' for the client... and from the wrong direction.
It also has to be said that my immediate contact within the client organization has been 'hung out to dry' on this project, with a complete lack of supervision and direction until we reach the pain points...
Damn, but I hate it!
Friday, April 24, 2009
Getting ready for it... part II
And continuing the same thoughts, but for the surgery part of the question...
Depending on the surgical solution chosen, there are slightly different approaches to getting ready aligned along common themes.
Talk with the surgeon about what you're eating, drinking and taking as supplements to ensure that you, and he, understand the implications to your coagulation factors. If you won't be seeing him well before the surgery, put a call through to your GP. If he can't see you, talk to the nice folks at HealthLink. And if all else fails, call the Cross.
Put on weight. 'Bulking up' will serve you well for the next year. Unfortunately the diagnosis-to-surgery timelines are usually so tight in these instances (hooray! for a responsive health care system!) that getting the optimal amount added to your existing body mass can be really difficult. But try.
Get flexible, get strong. Yoga, tai chi. Weight training for your upper body. Work on the neck and shoulders, and your forearms and hands. Why?
The surgery will involve cutting into targeted muscles in your neck. Make sure the rest of them are strong to speed the healing process, and to ease the discomfort after surgery. Its amazing how heavy your head actually is. And, depending on the surgical option (radical neck dissection) they may need to move a couple of nerves out of the way. Just touching and moving 'bruises' nerves. This interference may affect the way they behave for some time. For instance, the surgical team needed to move my 'spinal accessory' nerve out of the way, and then allow it to move back into place. The challenge then created was that I lost control of my right shoulder musculature, allowing the shoulder to 'roll forward'. Good, strong shoulder muscles going in make the roll less pronounced, and should make it easier to straighten out over a shorter period of time. I still have problems with mine 16 months later; there is a numbness (area is reducing slowly, but definitely get smaller all the time), and I often need to consciously remind myself to stand up straight and square my shoulders. I should have done the weight training before the surgery. Damn.
You will need strong hands and forearms just to do things after the surgery. And, if you are going for the forearm flap option, your left arm (or whichever) needs to be in good shape. A strong hand will make things easier while the arm is splinted, and then while it is healing. The right arm and hand will need to compensate...
Aerobics; make sure the heart and lungs are in good shape. This could be as simple as starting a walking program, something that you'll want to follow up with after the surgery, as well.
Put together the hospital kit. You are going to be in there for 10 days plus. What are you going to do with your time? But be aware that you are going to have a bit of a problem focusing, so don't count on being able to read highly technical manuals. Crossword puzzles and sudoku will help you to bring your brain back... Reading of any kind is always good. I deliberately took my drawing pad and travelling watercolour kit to help me assess the impact of the shoulder issue; I can still draw/paint, though at first there was some major muscle fatigue. At this point, however, I must admit that my handwriting has seriously deteriorated, and that my signature is inconsistent. In an earlier era, I would suggest submitting several samples of your signature to your bank... just in case.
Buy pajamas (several sets) and at least one good terry cloth robe. Hanging around in hospital gowns is humiliating at best. Hanging around in your underwear is just being ornery, exhibitionist, and rude. Slippers; good slippers. And not those ones with no backing for the heel. I never owned slippers until this; I'm very glad that my wife thought to get me some.
Put together the home care kit. Lay in a good supply of Boost or Ensure. Soups, stews, chilis, etc. are going to become a short term staple in your diet. At one point I would have suggested getting your hands on a juicer, but we've discovered that it is less expensive, and more efficient to buy stuff, unless your are going to be making some really exotic blends. A good blender will serve just a s well, and better perhaps as it will be able make you 'smoothies'. By the way, we picked up one of those Magic Bullet blenders; its great for what you'll need in the short term. And remember to have the nurses set you up with home care visits from the public health nurse. Now the visiting nurse will make sure you've got the dressings (Adaptic) to deal with the forearm, and all of those good things. All you really need to cope with are things like the mucking gloves to cover the forearm flap wound when you shower and bathe, lots of good videos to watch, and books to read... and the self discipline to stop from getting hooked on the daytime 'soaps'. We also used this episode as an excuse to buy a new couch for our family room/lounging area. We deliberately bought a big couch, which we refer to as the 'cuddle couch', rather than one of those La-z-boy style chair to prevent me from becoming isolated. If you have to share a couch, you are more prone to maintaining physical contact with your partner... something which you both need. A 'special chair' just for you frames the mindset that allows you drift away from your family, pushing them out to arm's length, and encouraging them to start thinking of you in the third person.
Does this help at all?
Depending on the surgical solution chosen, there are slightly different approaches to getting ready aligned along common themes.
Talk with the surgeon about what you're eating, drinking and taking as supplements to ensure that you, and he, understand the implications to your coagulation factors. If you won't be seeing him well before the surgery, put a call through to your GP. If he can't see you, talk to the nice folks at HealthLink. And if all else fails, call the Cross.
Put on weight. 'Bulking up' will serve you well for the next year. Unfortunately the diagnosis-to-surgery timelines are usually so tight in these instances (hooray! for a responsive health care system!) that getting the optimal amount added to your existing body mass can be really difficult. But try.
Get flexible, get strong. Yoga, tai chi. Weight training for your upper body. Work on the neck and shoulders, and your forearms and hands. Why?
The surgery will involve cutting into targeted muscles in your neck. Make sure the rest of them are strong to speed the healing process, and to ease the discomfort after surgery. Its amazing how heavy your head actually is. And, depending on the surgical option (radical neck dissection) they may need to move a couple of nerves out of the way. Just touching and moving 'bruises' nerves. This interference may affect the way they behave for some time. For instance, the surgical team needed to move my 'spinal accessory' nerve out of the way, and then allow it to move back into place. The challenge then created was that I lost control of my right shoulder musculature, allowing the shoulder to 'roll forward'. Good, strong shoulder muscles going in make the roll less pronounced, and should make it easier to straighten out over a shorter period of time. I still have problems with mine 16 months later; there is a numbness (area is reducing slowly, but definitely get smaller all the time), and I often need to consciously remind myself to stand up straight and square my shoulders. I should have done the weight training before the surgery. Damn.
You will need strong hands and forearms just to do things after the surgery. And, if you are going for the forearm flap option, your left arm (or whichever) needs to be in good shape. A strong hand will make things easier while the arm is splinted, and then while it is healing. The right arm and hand will need to compensate...
Aerobics; make sure the heart and lungs are in good shape. This could be as simple as starting a walking program, something that you'll want to follow up with after the surgery, as well.
Put together the hospital kit. You are going to be in there for 10 days plus. What are you going to do with your time? But be aware that you are going to have a bit of a problem focusing, so don't count on being able to read highly technical manuals. Crossword puzzles and sudoku will help you to bring your brain back... Reading of any kind is always good. I deliberately took my drawing pad and travelling watercolour kit to help me assess the impact of the shoulder issue; I can still draw/paint, though at first there was some major muscle fatigue. At this point, however, I must admit that my handwriting has seriously deteriorated, and that my signature is inconsistent. In an earlier era, I would suggest submitting several samples of your signature to your bank... just in case.
Buy pajamas (several sets) and at least one good terry cloth robe. Hanging around in hospital gowns is humiliating at best. Hanging around in your underwear is just being ornery, exhibitionist, and rude. Slippers; good slippers. And not those ones with no backing for the heel. I never owned slippers until this; I'm very glad that my wife thought to get me some.
Put together the home care kit. Lay in a good supply of Boost or Ensure. Soups, stews, chilis, etc. are going to become a short term staple in your diet. At one point I would have suggested getting your hands on a juicer, but we've discovered that it is less expensive, and more efficient to buy stuff, unless your are going to be making some really exotic blends. A good blender will serve just a s well, and better perhaps as it will be able make you 'smoothies'. By the way, we picked up one of those Magic Bullet blenders; its great for what you'll need in the short term. And remember to have the nurses set you up with home care visits from the public health nurse. Now the visiting nurse will make sure you've got the dressings (Adaptic) to deal with the forearm, and all of those good things. All you really need to cope with are things like the mucking gloves to cover the forearm flap wound when you shower and bathe, lots of good videos to watch, and books to read... and the self discipline to stop from getting hooked on the daytime 'soaps'. We also used this episode as an excuse to buy a new couch for our family room/lounging area. We deliberately bought a big couch, which we refer to as the 'cuddle couch', rather than one of those La-z-boy style chair to prevent me from becoming isolated. If you have to share a couch, you are more prone to maintaining physical contact with your partner... something which you both need. A 'special chair' just for you frames the mindset that allows you drift away from your family, pushing them out to arm's length, and encouraging them to start thinking of you in the third person.
Does this help at all?
Getting ready for it...
Recently I've started a bit of a correspondence with someone out there who is just getting onto the treatment treadmill after having received a 'qualified' diagnosis of a stage 4 Metastatic Spindle Cell Squamous Carcinoma. I'm not entirely sure where it sits in his throat. This is not the same person who is dealing with the tumour around their thyroid...
In any event, one of the questions asked was about what one "should do to physically or mentally prepare for the quadroscopy or with the surgery when that time comes?."
Right off the bat I can give one suggestion that the surgeon would really appreciate: stop any alternative therapy or supplements that could be thinning your blood or inhibiting coagulation at least three days before the procedure. Take a hard look at the extra vitamins, the iron supplements and stuff you are taking, including the apricot pits (laetrile) and the oriental mushroom teas for what they are doing to your blood. You don't want to present a bleeding problem while you are on the table, either for the quadroscopy or the surgery.
Get flexible! The quadroscopy in particular will tax your upper body muscles. What they do, in effect, once you're under the anesthesia is to adjust your position on the table so that your head is tilted way back so that your mouth-to-throat-to-esophagus-to-stomach is as straight a line as possible to make it easier for the quadroscopy tools to slip in and out, reducing the actual trauma to the tissues... But the way they position your body puts a lot of stress on the upper torso. Imagine lying on a hard surface with your head and shoulders hanging over the edge and you'll get an idea of the effect. Lie down somewhere and try it for a moment (with someone with you to support your head!) to understand the effect on your musculature. Your chest is gonna hurt later (maybe next day). If you can do some muscle strengthening and stretching exercises for a few days prior, that would be a good thing. In my website, and elsewhere on this blog I mention 'yoga'; time to seriously think about it. Also, on the day of the procedure, do the same exercises just before they wheel you into the operating theatre, to loosen things up.
The quadroscopy itself is more scary to contemplate than it truly is. The effects you will feel are the muscle pain from the body manipulation, and possibly a sore throat... This is a diagnostic procedure for discovery, not a surgical solution. It is not intended or designed for major impact to tissues through removal, or other collateral damage.
You will go to and return from the hospital the same day. But do remember that you will be put 'under', therefore don't plan on driving yourself home at the end of the day...
Try being inquisitive with the staff; be 'chatty', friendly, maybe even funny if its a normal part of your nature. It will affect how they deal with you. A surly ass gets treated as one. The openly terrified get patronized. If you want to be treated with respect and humanity, act like you deserve it; don't demand it.
In any event, one of the questions asked was about what one "should do to physically or mentally prepare for the quadroscopy or with the surgery when that time comes?."
Right off the bat I can give one suggestion that the surgeon would really appreciate: stop any alternative therapy or supplements that could be thinning your blood or inhibiting coagulation at least three days before the procedure. Take a hard look at the extra vitamins, the iron supplements and stuff you are taking, including the apricot pits (laetrile) and the oriental mushroom teas for what they are doing to your blood. You don't want to present a bleeding problem while you are on the table, either for the quadroscopy or the surgery.
Get flexible! The quadroscopy in particular will tax your upper body muscles. What they do, in effect, once you're under the anesthesia is to adjust your position on the table so that your head is tilted way back so that your mouth-to-throat-to-esophagus-to-stomach is as straight a line as possible to make it easier for the quadroscopy tools to slip in and out, reducing the actual trauma to the tissues... But the way they position your body puts a lot of stress on the upper torso. Imagine lying on a hard surface with your head and shoulders hanging over the edge and you'll get an idea of the effect. Lie down somewhere and try it for a moment (with someone with you to support your head!) to understand the effect on your musculature. Your chest is gonna hurt later (maybe next day). If you can do some muscle strengthening and stretching exercises for a few days prior, that would be a good thing. In my website, and elsewhere on this blog I mention 'yoga'; time to seriously think about it. Also, on the day of the procedure, do the same exercises just before they wheel you into the operating theatre, to loosen things up.
The quadroscopy itself is more scary to contemplate than it truly is. The effects you will feel are the muscle pain from the body manipulation, and possibly a sore throat... This is a diagnostic procedure for discovery, not a surgical solution. It is not intended or designed for major impact to tissues through removal, or other collateral damage.
You will go to and return from the hospital the same day. But do remember that you will be put 'under', therefore don't plan on driving yourself home at the end of the day...
Try being inquisitive with the staff; be 'chatty', friendly, maybe even funny if its a normal part of your nature. It will affect how they deal with you. A surly ass gets treated as one. The openly terrified get patronized. If you want to be treated with respect and humanity, act like you deserve it; don't demand it.
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