Gels and laserbeams

Went to see my neurologist last week and while nothing like a cure was discussed there was some progress made out in the community since we last left our hero.

The first piece of news was something called duodopa gel which uses a pump to push levodopa in gel form straight into your stomach (our my stomach as the case may be). The idea is they take medication they know works (levodopa) and by changing the form from a pill over to gel. Then it is absorbed quicker into the blood stream and finally into the brain.

Pros: less time of each day stuck in "off cycles" when I get too much levodopa or not enough. This is the primary argument for this device and the gel version of levodopa .

Only have to change the cartridge twice a day to maintain the proper levels.

Cons: You gotta wear this pump device about the size and weight of a Star Trek tricorder around your neck on a strap 24/7. Ohhhh, feel the sexiness extrude from that mental image (although I realize the previous line referencing Star Trek probably accomplished the same thing).

The permanent tube in my stomach - this is tried and true procedure nowadays but that doesn't change the fact I would have a hole in my tummy from here on out. The only hole in my tummy up to this point in my life was tied off at birth to keep me from sticking Legos inside. I worry about things...

Anyway I may be on the list for when the FDA approves the home version of this game in the USA (apparently already done in Canada as I write this). Not sure if I want to be this close to the cutting edge of science. Remember - don't get involved in anything in the alpha or beta stages if you can help it - especially medical "procedures".

The other revalation that was noteworthy was the laser - equipped walker. They are putting frickin' lasers on walkers these days! I knew they existed  for a number of years now and I did try one out a long time ago but Doc wanted to show it off so I tried it again. Wouldn't you know I walked better than I ever could using a standard walker before. Something about having a visual  cue always in front of our feet triggers a different pathway in my brain that causes my feet to lift higher and move forward. Whatever, dude. . . it seemed to work and there are gaps in my mobility stable that walkers fill better than any other device available. So keep your eyes pealed (ewwww) for me and my laser....straighter than masers ......everywhere we go .... everyone knows ....  it's me and my laser...

Sorry about that cheesy attempt at trivia - but since we are there anyways do you know what originally those lyrics are parodies of?

Here is something I did not realize until this morning. While surfing the net (I am an Interweb hodaddy fer sure) I discovered our beloved Bruce Bochy, manager of your San Francisco Giants, currently has the most wins as an active manager - any active manager. He is 20th on the all-time list for wins by a manager active or not just behind ....wait for this ... Tommy Lasorda! They both won 2 World Series each and Lasorda is in the Hall of Fame. I never thought of Bochy as a HOFer until now.  Why not, if Lasorda is in why not Bochy? Go Giants!

Didja know?

I have received a request or two that some of my readers want to know as much as I think I do about miscellaneous trivial subjects. Okay - be careful what you ask for though...

Until I figure out the best to do this I will simply list my marvelous accumulation of interesting tidbits of knowledge like this:

• Do you know why some base runners in baseball will grab a pair of batting gloves out of their back pocket and not put them on? This one is simple - by running the bases with their hands clenched in fists while carrying the gloves they won't expose their fingers as much when sliding head first into the bases.
• Spent some time in the garage today talking to my daughter about music while she painted a chest of drawers - I grew up thinking it was pronounced "chester's drawers".