More good news, CSI technigues and BD Week.

Okay the good news is not very dramatic but still good. Doc Shoozenbootz doesn't want to see me for another four weeks AND he doesn't want blood tests until that time so no weekly monitoring! I've gone from looking at my blood on a daily basis (the 4am vampire run) to weekly to monthly monitoring. Okay I know you folks are going soooooo? But it means I'm doing well enough to not need to be on top of my bloods. It also means I don't need to be jabbed! Granted my Hickaman's kept me from getting some jabs, but I've been tested for blood levels about 154 times in the past 9 nine months. Anybody want to stick their arm out that many times? I sure didn't. I'm so relieved.

On to the CSI bit. I have been wondering about my DNA and got some answers. The Doc must get this all the time because I brought up that I have some questions about DNA and he sat back and said" right you want to know that if you rob a bank and they get some of your blood whos' on the hook?". He was right on the money! The answer is if I leave blood at the scene of the crime they may think it's Rick that did it? Cool eh! If I leave tissue they will think it's me that did it. My sister Melissa asked me about the fact that we all replace cells over time, the most obvious being hair and skin etc. but all things that get repaired are changing. Does this mean I'm slowly changing into my brother? Nope. The bone marrow T-cells can become various kinds of blood cells but they are already diferenciated into bone marrow type cells. The t-cells in your liver are only going to make livel cells, the t-cells in your skin are only going to make various parts of your skin.

There are grand progenitor cells (I'll pause here for the Monty Pytohon fans to go on about the Grand Inquisitor for a minute......finished? Okay) These GP cells can turn into any t-cells but we don't have lots and they are all mine. So that's the deal on DNA.

As a post script I should like to thank any of you that have given blood in the past especially the universal donors that have type O blood . I have been the recepient of about 20 bags of blood in the last year and all has been type O. Besides the red cells they mine the donated blood for platlettes and other cells so each donation helps three patients. Thank you! if you haven't given blood please consider making a donation before the uncoming long weekend.

it's my Birthday on August 8th and I've made it to Age 55! As you can imagine I've been "reflecting" lately and realised as I looked out on the sunny and warm but not hot day this morning that I was really looking forward to things again. I had been positive these last few months but I was taking thi8ngs one day at a time and not looking forward too much. and This morning I had a real flash that I'm thining way ahead. I wat to plant 50 trees on the new property to offset our own carbon foot print. and to provide income in ten years, I want ot get out on the tractor and mow things down with the new slasher that's coming, I want to build our new house! It'sa pretty good birthday week I rekon and bluey is making it grand with little cards and pressies and mysterious giant boxes arriving by mail!

More later (anybody notice my repeated and purposeful use of this little affirmation these past few months?)

Chris