A journey in life - musings of a doctor, husband, dad, grandad, brother, and friend

Wednesday, August 16 - My second bone marrow biopsy.  This biopsy was to see how the chemotherapy was affecting my MDS.  Just like the prior biopsy, this was done in Interventional Radiology at Winchester Medical Center.  The staff and doctor were all nice.  This time, however, I actually handled the drill that does the biopsy (a battery power drill like you can get a Lowes/Home Depot that fits in your hand like a simple electric screwdriver!). I was not quite as sedated and I was much more alert after the procedure.  I was still tired though and the nap that afternoon was restful.  There was some minimal discomfort at the site.  However, something happened that night. I am assuming that I have had a response to the chemo and with the biopsy/aspiration: this triggered a rip-roaring case of gout in my left great toe.  It's funny but I never had any gout until this MDS progressed.  I suppose the turnover of cells releases DNA >>> levels of purines go up >>> causing

Never thought I would be in Aruba at the start of this year!  Jan and I had the thought that we needed to get away for our 40th anniversary.  So...the four day getaway to Aruba. Aruba is a small island along the north coast of Venezuela.  It was a former Dutch colony getting independence in 1986. The people here are quite friendly and interesting.  Many with Dutch, South American, Spanish, African and Portuguese ancestry (but all fiercely ARUBAN!).  Most on the island speak 4 languages... English, Dutch, Spanish and Papiamentu. As I'm told -  Papiamentu  (or  Papiamento ) is a mixture of Spanish, Portuguese, Dutch, English, French, and it also has some Arawak Indian and African influences. Papiamentu is one of the few Creole Languages of the Caribbean that has survived to the present day.    FYI (as examples) - please is 'porfabor' (Spanish-like) and thank you is 'danke' (a strong Dutch root) and 'bon appetit' (you know that one).   Such an interesting isl