Thursday, November 3, 2011
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
On the QT(c)
All I could think of was the classic movie, "LA Confidential". Remember Danny DeVito, as gossip reporter Sid Hudgens, saying things were "off the record, on the QT and very hush-hush"? No one knows from where the slang phrase "on the QT" originated (clearly a contraction of "on the quiet"), but for me, my QTC was causing abject chaos. One's QTC is a time interval measured in your EKG. An absolute criteria for inclusion into my study was a QTC of < 450. Knowing this, I had long ago sent MSKCC my cardiogram documenting a QTC well below 450.
BUT, as it was over a month old (by one week), the always-by-the-book MSKCC had me repeat my EKG. The first few readings showed QTC's of between 460-470!!! They had me run up the block, then climb stairs, then simulate bicycling in the air, but the best we could do was 452. The EKG tech was patient, persistent and very apologetic. The research nurse then paged a cardiology fellow to "hand read" my study.
My study participation was on hold and in jeopardy. My doctor agreed to let me go through the consent process and sign the papers, but there would be no medication unless or until the EKG issue was resolved. The plan was to head home, mired in uncertainty, and hope an Evanston EKG would be normal. Why electrons would be expected to behave differently in the Midwest was quite beyond me.
As I sat in my hotel room awaiting scan #97, the research nurse called me and excitedly told me the cardiologist's reading of my QTc was 432!
So in two weeks, I return to get my new drug. Phew!
BUT, as it was over a month old (by one week), the always-by-the-book MSKCC had me repeat my EKG. The first few readings showed QTC's of between 460-470!!! They had me run up the block, then climb stairs, then simulate bicycling in the air, but the best we could do was 452. The EKG tech was patient, persistent and very apologetic. The research nurse then paged a cardiology fellow to "hand read" my study.
My study participation was on hold and in jeopardy. My doctor agreed to let me go through the consent process and sign the papers, but there would be no medication unless or until the EKG issue was resolved. The plan was to head home, mired in uncertainty, and hope an Evanston EKG would be normal. Why electrons would be expected to behave differently in the Midwest was quite beyond me.
As I sat in my hotel room awaiting scan #97, the research nurse called me and excitedly told me the cardiologist's reading of my QTc was 432!
So in two weeks, I return to get my new drug. Phew!
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Clinical Trial--- here I come.
What is a clinical trial and what are its phases?
Clinical trials are conducted in phases. The trials at each phase have a different purpose and help scientists answer different questions:
In Phase I trials, researchers test an experimental drug or treatment in a small group of people (20-80) for the first time to evaluate its safety, determine a safe dosage range, and identify side effects.
In Phase II trials, the experimental study drug or treatment is given to a larger group of people (100-300) to see if it is effective and to further evaluate its safety.
In Phase III trials, the experimental study drug or treatment is given to large groups of people (1,000-3,000) to confirm its effectiveness, monitor side effects, compare it to commonly used treatments, and collect information that will allow the experimental drug or treatment to be used safely.
In Phase IV trials, post marketing studies delineate additional information including the drug's risks, benefits, and optimal use.
Clinical trials are conducted in phases. The trials at each phase have a different purpose and help scientists answer different questions:
In Phase I trials, researchers test an experimental drug or treatment in a small group of people (20-80) for the first time to evaluate its safety, determine a safe dosage range, and identify side effects.
In Phase II trials, the experimental study drug or treatment is given to a larger group of people (100-300) to see if it is effective and to further evaluate its safety.
In Phase III trials, the experimental study drug or treatment is given to large groups of people (1,000-3,000) to confirm its effectiveness, monitor side effects, compare it to commonly used treatments, and collect information that will allow the experimental drug or treatment to be used safely.
In Phase IV trials, post marketing studies delineate additional information including the drug's risks, benefits, and optimal use.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Shawn's sauna rocks!!!!
Today we had the honor and privilege to have a sauna with the artists that created a whimsical fiberglass sauna that has been variously called an onion, a garlic clove or even a pumpkin. See what you think---
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Here we all are: from left to right ---- Jan Erik, Bill, Alice George, Cathy Tschannen, Shawn Decker and Aundrian Andersson, Jan Erik's son.
Jan Erik taking the term "artist in residence" literally.
Cathy Tschannen, sauna expert
Later we went on a three hour dinner cruise of the Turku archipelago. Weather was great and we had beautiful views.
Here is the ferry we take back to Stockholm on Saturday night. Supposedly the trip is just one big floating party.
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Here we all are: from left to right ---- Jan Erik, Bill, Alice George, Cathy Tschannen, Shawn Decker and Aundrian Andersson, Jan Erik's son.
Jan Erik taking the term "artist in residence" literally.
Cathy Tschannen, sauna expert
Later we went on a three hour dinner cruise of the Turku archipelago. Weather was great and we had beautiful views.
Here is the ferry we take back to Stockholm on Saturday night. Supposedly the trip is just one big floating party.
Location:Yliopistonkatu,Turku,Finland
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Finland
So now we are in Finland. We took the 45 minute prop-plane flight from Stockholm to Turku and, thanks to a clear day, could see a bit of the famous Finnish Archipelago on the way. Supposedly 20,000 islands stretch almost due west of Turku into the Baltic Sea. We hope to tour them by boat for a bit either today or tomorrow.
We are here to visit with our friends Shawn Decker and Alice George. Shawn has been here for almost two weeks working with his Finnish artist-collaborator Jan Erik Andersson. As part of the Summer-long European Center of Culture 2011, Turku has commissioned the construction of four special saunas. Shawn and Jan Erik have created "The Sounding Dome Sauna" in a public park, adjacent to a public pool. The fiberglass structure is shaped like an onion--- a traditional sauna inside is enhanced by Shawn's sound installation in which the sound created responds to temperature and team via various sensors. It opened to the public yesterday and we have not visited it yet.
Yesterday, we drove to the island of Russailo where the "Sauna Obscura" resides. The structure is a fairly traditional looking Finnish sauna house EXCEPT that you have to row out to its location, afloat in the Baltic Sea. Inside, it has two lenses that give a reverse reflection. This picture shows the beach and tree line of the nearby shore reflected upside down below Cathy and Alice's legs. After steaming ourselves to near-intolerance, we then went outside and dove into the icey Baltic sea.
We then took a walk along a path where we saw many art nouveau seaside homes, such as:
Last evening, we went to a dinner party at Jan Erik's house. The "Leaf House" was conceived and designed by Jan Erik and is truly remarkable. He began designing it in 1999- was not able to convince the building authorities to go ahead with the project until 2006 and then it took 4 years to build--- off and on construction. The footprint is of a leaf. The best way to invasion it is to go to his website: www.andessonart.com and click on the Leaf House link. The few pictures here do not do it justice. There are many works of contributing artists woven into the design and decoration of the house including a Shawn Decker sound installation in the "bridge" to the master bedroom. The crown (both literally and figuratively is the "blue bell" on the third floor, a small glass solarium that looks out over Turku harbor and Turku castle.
-
Bye.
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We are here to visit with our friends Shawn Decker and Alice George. Shawn has been here for almost two weeks working with his Finnish artist-collaborator Jan Erik Andersson. As part of the Summer-long European Center of Culture 2011, Turku has commissioned the construction of four special saunas. Shawn and Jan Erik have created "The Sounding Dome Sauna" in a public park, adjacent to a public pool. The fiberglass structure is shaped like an onion--- a traditional sauna inside is enhanced by Shawn's sound installation in which the sound created responds to temperature and team via various sensors. It opened to the public yesterday and we have not visited it yet.
Yesterday, we drove to the island of Russailo where the "Sauna Obscura" resides. The structure is a fairly traditional looking Finnish sauna house EXCEPT that you have to row out to its location, afloat in the Baltic Sea. Inside, it has two lenses that give a reverse reflection. This picture shows the beach and tree line of the nearby shore reflected upside down below Cathy and Alice's legs. After steaming ourselves to near-intolerance, we then went outside and dove into the icey Baltic sea.
We then took a walk along a path where we saw many art nouveau seaside homes, such as:
Last evening, we went to a dinner party at Jan Erik's house. The "Leaf House" was conceived and designed by Jan Erik and is truly remarkable. He began designing it in 1999- was not able to convince the building authorities to go ahead with the project until 2006 and then it took 4 years to build--- off and on construction. The footprint is of a leaf. The best way to invasion it is to go to his website: www.andessonart.com and click on the Leaf House link. The few pictures here do not do it justice. There are many works of contributing artists woven into the design and decoration of the house including a Shawn Decker sound installation in the "bridge" to the master bedroom. The crown (both literally and figuratively is the "blue bell" on the third floor, a small glass solarium that looks out over Turku harbor and Turku castle.
-
Bye.
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Location:Yliopistonkatu,Turku,Finland
Monday, May 30, 2011
Before we left
-a good picture of me and the boys
And one with Cathy too.
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Night time is over rated
Cathy and I went to the opera tonight. As we were walking home I took this picture of a clock tower showing that it was 10:15 PM. It is really nice to stroll around till midnight and still have it light out.
We had dinner at Mathias Dahlgren's restaurant. I guess he is well known among foodies. It was a unique and great meal.
There are very narrow alleys and streets in the old town, Gamla Stan.
Cathy chased a dog that looked like Ziggy into a shoe store.
We fly to Finland tomorrow. There has been only one bummer moment in Stockholm. Our hotel is owned by Benny Anderssen, one of the original members of ABBA. As such, there is copy of an ABBA GOLD CD in every room. Cathy insisted on my playing it while she relaxed in the bath tub. I am now being tortured with "Dancing Queen" repetitively popping into my head at inopportune times. Then again, what is NOT an inopportune for that song to make an appearance.
This city is truly beautiful and amazingly clean. You can walk to everywhere you want to go and take some short cuts by taking ferries -- have not been in a cab here yet. Stockholm is a city made up entirely of islands so there are beautiful waterways everywhere. I think I will rank it in a tie with Vienna for second place on my most beautiful city list. (Cape Town is number 1).
The people are friendly and open. They are well educated, smart and engaged in world affairs. All in all, a very cool place.
We had dinner at Mathias Dahlgren's restaurant. I guess he is well known among foodies. It was a unique and great meal.
There are very narrow alleys and streets in the old town, Gamla Stan.
Cathy chased a dog that looked like Ziggy into a shoe store.
We fly to Finland tomorrow. There has been only one bummer moment in Stockholm. Our hotel is owned by Benny Anderssen, one of the original members of ABBA. As such, there is copy of an ABBA GOLD CD in every room. Cathy insisted on my playing it while she relaxed in the bath tub. I am now being tortured with "Dancing Queen" repetitively popping into my head at inopportune times. Then again, what is NOT an inopportune for that song to make an appearance.
This city is truly beautiful and amazingly clean. You can walk to everywhere you want to go and take some short cuts by taking ferries -- have not been in a cab here yet. Stockholm is a city made up entirely of islands so there are beautiful waterways everywhere. I think I will rank it in a tie with Vienna for second place on my most beautiful city list. (Cape Town is number 1).
The people are friendly and open. They are well educated, smart and engaged in world affairs. All in all, a very cool place.
Stockholm day 1
We were extremely fortunate to have had a private tour guide yesterday. My lifelong friend, Brian Lindberg, once lived in Stockholm and provided child care for a Swedish family. One of the kids, Vincent Hashmi, is now a 30 year old opera singer living here in Stockholm with his girlfriend, Paulina Pfeiffer, also an opera singer. Vincent and Paulina walked us all around the city, seeing many of the city's sites and learning their history. They also took us to their apartment for champagne. They have also arranged for us to see La Boheme tonight. Unfortunately, though Paulina is in this production, she is not performing tonight as she has an audition in Germany today. Today more sightseeing and maybe some photos will follow.
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Sunday, May 29, 2011
To Leave or not to Leave
Beware the routine operation. It seems that removal of wisdom teeth has become a right of passage in the adolescent life. Everyone's kids I know have had it done. Drew was no different. His modern skull just can't accommodate all those damn teeth. And who really needs them anyway? When Alex and I visited our great primate ancestors in Central Africa last summer, it was clear why a long row of grinders was necessary. Chewing on fresh foliage all day long requires a lot of dental surface area. Certainly, the 22nd century classical musician requires only limited gnashing capacity for the likes of pate' and brie. So we sent him off to the oral surgeon's office. Afterward things seemed to be just fine. Post op day number five he played three hours of basketball on a local playground.
The next day, however, he awoke feeling like crap---neck pain, couldn't swallow, fatigued. A trip to the surgeon secured the diagnosis of infection and antibiotics and pain medicine were prescribed. Three days later, with things no better, he returned to the scene of the crime (the procedure room at the surgeon's office) and underwent a procedure that simulated the one that finally got Khalid Sheik Mohamed to spill. Several gallons of local anesthetic were injected into the region in order to proceed with an "Incision & drainage" procedure. The local anesthetic was of dubious benefit and Drew hurt, big time. I was in the room the whole time and must say that watching Drew undergo this procedure ranks near the top of the "worst experiences in my life" category. Fortunately, pus poured forth like Victoria Falls (had to get another Africa reference in there). A drain was sutured in place and antibiotics were doubled. Drew has improved slowly but consistently since then.
Today his surgeon felt his improvement was considerable and removed the drain. Drew is perky and joking again. We have many, many wonderful friends that have offered to pinch-hit as surrogate parents. So we screwed up our courage and got on the plane. Drew has the cell numbers of a boat-load of physicians (and one personal injury attorney) who stand ready to swoop in and meet his any and every need.
I am sure Cathy and I will communicate with him 97 times a day and I have already figured out how to get back to Chicago in a jiffy should that become necessary.
BTW, our first hour in Stockholm has met my expectations exactly. Overcast, drizzling, dark, slightly chilly but pristine and beautiful despite the weather. It feels like every Kurt Wallander book I have ever read. The people seem delightful. More soon,
Bill
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The next day, however, he awoke feeling like crap---neck pain, couldn't swallow, fatigued. A trip to the surgeon secured the diagnosis of infection and antibiotics and pain medicine were prescribed. Three days later, with things no better, he returned to the scene of the crime (the procedure room at the surgeon's office) and underwent a procedure that simulated the one that finally got Khalid Sheik Mohamed to spill. Several gallons of local anesthetic were injected into the region in order to proceed with an "Incision & drainage" procedure. The local anesthetic was of dubious benefit and Drew hurt, big time. I was in the room the whole time and must say that watching Drew undergo this procedure ranks near the top of the "worst experiences in my life" category. Fortunately, pus poured forth like Victoria Falls (had to get another Africa reference in there). A drain was sutured in place and antibiotics were doubled. Drew has improved slowly but consistently since then.
Today his surgeon felt his improvement was considerable and removed the drain. Drew is perky and joking again. We have many, many wonderful friends that have offered to pinch-hit as surrogate parents. So we screwed up our courage and got on the plane. Drew has the cell numbers of a boat-load of physicians (and one personal injury attorney) who stand ready to swoop in and meet his any and every need.
I am sure Cathy and I will communicate with him 97 times a day and I have already figured out how to get back to Chicago in a jiffy should that become necessary.
BTW, our first hour in Stockholm has met my expectations exactly. Overcast, drizzling, dark, slightly chilly but pristine and beautiful despite the weather. It feels like every Kurt Wallander book I have ever read. The people seem delightful. More soon,
Bill
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Location:HOTEL RIVAL, STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
We are headed for Scandinavia
Cathy and I will be leaving for Stockholm on Saturday, May 28, 2011. We will spend two and a half days there before flying to Turku, Finland. There we will meet our great friends Shawn Decker and Alice George. Shawn, a sound artist, will be there for the opening of a sound installation that he created with his Finnish collaborator, Jan Erik Anderssen. More details of Shawn's work and of our trip to follow.
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