MARCO Grand Rounds for October 1, 2006

From Warren, KD4GUA:

Last week we began a discussion on "DO I REALLY NEED LIPITOR". We never finished it...so this week we will combine it with the news out of New York City--BAN THE TRANS FATS! We will discuss what they are and why they are used and what happens to them when they enter the human fat deposits--THEY ARE PRESERVED THERE--just like they are preserved on the grocer's shelf.

To those who get list serve and the Newsletter only--tune in so we can get to know you ear lobe to ear lobe.

MARCO Grand Rounds for September 24, 2006

From Warren, KD4GUA:

HOT ONE COMING UP....This Sunday we will discuss the use of lipid-controlling drugs....the latest information on the right drug for the right problem.

Even though HYPERlipidemia heightens vulnerabiity to heart attacks and strokes, many doctors are not doing a very good job controlling the condition--are they afraid of the drugs? Are the patients afraid of the drugs? If so, is this warranted?

Lipitor and Crestor are all over the TV-screens--does this encourage you or discourage you? Should be an interesting discussion--tune in Sunday, 10 a.m. Eastern 14.308---have your input ready.

MARCO Grand Rounds for September 17, 2006

From Warren, KD4GUA:

Four years ago, our former Marco Secretary Robin Staebler was flying to the Dayton Hamvention. When he arrived he had severe abdominal cramps diagnosed as a bowel obstruction due to the expansion and contraction of the air in his bowel while climbing and descending in flight. The obstruction was relieved by surgery and Robin returned to Maine.

This recurred. On a second operation carcinoid was found--presumed to have originated in the adrenal gland. Since there is an average of 9 years between the onset of carcinoid and its diagnosis there is a good possibility this condition was asymptomatic for years.

Robin succumbed from carcinoid on July 23, 2006 (The true case history is not available and the above is a presumption.)

The incidence of this disease is increasing thus the need for discussion this coming Sunday, 14.308, 10 a.m. Eastern.

Update from North Carolina

The following was received from Bob, K4RLC on September 4:

Our beach house at Windy Hill (now part of North Myrtle Beach) had minor flooding, debris washed in the yard and one tree toppled. Bobby and I dug it out, and propped it up, and maybe it will survive. Locals weren't very much concerned abt Ernesto, but they've seen lots worse here. We had 4 feet of water under the house (it's up 8 feet on stanchions) after Hurricane Hugo. Beautiful, fall-like weekend at the beach.

bc

-Thanks to all for your support and concern, while I was deployed again with the American Red Cross Disaster Mental Health Services. In reaction to Katrina last year, the Red Cross wanted to set up inland shelters for evacuation and to pre-deploy services and be ready to immediately move into a disaster area. This is admirable, but nature doesn’t always cooperate, and weather/hurricane forecasting is maybe more art than science. Early on, Ernesto was predicted to be a major hurricane, and to hit the gulf coast, right on the first anniversary of Katrina. 38,000 families still live in FEMA small trailers along the coast, very much in harm's way.

-So, I completed a whirlwind (pun intended) trip of the Mississippi Gulf Coast and Florida, chasing Ernesto. However, it was psychologically nice to return to Gulfport-Biloxi-Bay St Louis –Waveland, and get closure from last year. There is still so much devastation and so much rebuilding to be done. Fortunately, most of the debris has been removed. The folks there were palpably anxious about another hurricane, especially one predicted to be strong and hit on the first anniversary of Katrina!

-Quite a trip – RDU to Memphis to Gulfport. On to Hattiesburg, but called halfway there, and told to go to Orlando. Orlando, via Atlanta. In Orlando, given a rental car and told to transport folks to Fort Lauderdale. Stayed in Ft Lauderdale a few days in a shelter (Challenger Elementary School - school dedicated to the Challenger Space Shuttle Crew, especially the teacher who died on that mission). As storm was heading for North Carolina, was sent back home to Raleigh. Not exactly a vacation.

-If you’re around here, you know we didn’t receive much damage. Leaving for our beach cottage this pm, as North Myrtle got 70 mph winds and 7 inches of rain. Always good to go to the beach.

-Thanks again for your best wishes. Hopefully that’s it for storms, but hurricane season doesn’t peak til Sept 9^th.

Take care,

Bob