Those who know me well know that, although I have no special interest in medicine and never, never wanted to be a doctor, I have a strange quirk of mind that means I happen to remember medical facts and histories … Continue reading →
As Michael Barone points out, the Republican race is coalescing around candidate McCain after an early period of chaos, while the Democratic race is still up for grabs after an early period of seeming clarity. Nevertheless, McCain remains a polarizing … Continue reading →
…eats more nutritious meals together. So saith the NY Times. Research indicates that families who eat a regular meal together—be they troubled or un, and their ubiquitous TVs on or off—are eating better, as well. No one knows quite why, … Continue reading →
Some time ago I wrote an essay on Clive Wearing, the British musician and conductor who contracted a disease twenty years ago that left him with only his short-term memory. His adjustment has been long and difficult, his disability profound—trapped … Continue reading →
Today’s a traveling day, so this will be quick. I’m driving down to NY to see my family and especially my elderly mother. Last night I called her at around 8:15 to see how she was doing. She sounded a … Continue reading →
When I was very young, safe in bed with the usual flu or the occasional chicken pox or other standard childhood disease, I would dread the doctor’s tread on the stairs and the opening of his little black bag, which … Continue reading →
This lengthy NY Times piece about the unexpected fallout from the ability to perform genetic testing and get information on susceptibility to certain diseases describes the dilemma faced by unmarried and childless 33-year-old Deborah Lindner in weighing her options after … Continue reading →
Well, of course. Scientists have discovered that certain people can eat anything and everything and not gain an ounce. Well, duh. I could have told them that years ago. In the early 70s I was blessed with three roommates of … Continue reading →
When the Europeans came to this continent, it was already inhabited by millions of indigenous peoples, originally and (erroneously) called “Indians” by the invaders, and later known by the more PC term “Native Americans” (although, just to confuse things even … Continue reading →
I don’t know about you, but this phenomenon doesn’t seem like much of an advance to me. For those of you who aren’t registered at the NY Times website, the article by Elizabeth Hayt is about the fact that middle-aged … Continue reading →
For years, hormones were touted as the panacea for the menopausal and post-menopausal (dare I say, “aging”?) woman. HRT (hormone replacement therapy) was seen to be a fountain of youth in all respects, and who wouldn’t want that? Skin benefits, … Continue reading →
Yesterday morning I was awakened by a phone call from my mother’s caretaker, the sort of phone call no one likes to get. She said my mother was having tingling and numbness in her left arm and left leg, which … Continue reading →