7.22.11

Hottest day of the year- I ran this morning, worked out this afternoon.
Fuck cancer.

7.16.11

I finally was able to run this morning- first time in about 2 1/2 months. I had a few doctors' appointments yesterday and one of the- good- things they all were able to say was that I could resume running (and likely start lifting more in another week or two.) I did resume doing some cardio earlier this week as well as some light/dumbbell lifting; while I expected to be weaker on the weights I was shocked how much cardio conditioning I had lost in such a relatively short time. As for the run this morning... much shorter than I had been doing, and s--l--o--w; I felt like I was running in slow motion, or quicksand, or something. Rubbery legs, too. I suppose I can say that I did have two fairly significant surgeries over the past two months (including one three weeks ago) and, oh yeah, I have cancer, too, but I have to step it up. Hopefully as I'm able to keep at it I'll regain some stamina and strength fairly quickly. Still, it felt good to be out there this morning!

As for the doc appointments... re. my surgery they removed the staples I had in and said everything looks good. Re. the cancer- they have me scheduled to start chemo 8/3. I'm not really looking forward to it. I do understand the logic behind their seeking to treat me but (as even they acknowledged) in the short/mid term the chemo is likely going to make me feel worse than I do currently (on balance I feel pretty good right now.) There are a whole host of possible/potential side effects I may/likely will experience (my sis-in-law gave me several pertinent questions/issues to ask about- thanks Margaret) from the treatment, all of which can vary in length, severity, etc... (curiously, for my regimen right now one of them should not be much/any hair loss- one positive, as I still have a decent head of hair!) The goals are to shrink, stop, or slow the growth of existing tumors and hopefully prevent spread/further growths from occurring for as long as the regimen is effective so that I won't experience (for as long as possible) the worst effects of the cancer itself, as well as to try and prolong my leading a reasonably healthy existence, again, for as long as possible. All things I certainly would like to see. But I have to admit that right now, given how I currently feel, there is an aspect of the cure is worse than the disease thinking in my mind even as, again, I do understand the logic and all re. treatment.

But whaddya gonna do...

7.07.11

For obvious reasons I've been giving increased thought to the on-going healthcare debate. My politics tend to be fairly libertarian; I believe in limited- and limiting- government. Generally speaking I tend to see government-run programs as bloated and inefficient, frequently lending themselves to abuse. I tend to place greater confidence in the private sector to get things done more effectively and efficiently. But my illness has given me pause to consider, to realize, that necessary, needed healthcare needs to be available to all, regardless of means. While there are areas where legislation can help (portability issues, for instance) I'm still not convinced that either Massachusetts' RomneyCare nor the federal ObamaCare programs are the best ways to deliver and ensure that care for all. Providing greater incentives- increased tax breaks and the like- to institutions, individual physicians, and insurers, to treat and to cover those of limited means, health savings accounts with tax benefits for individuals and families, increased competition among and options to individuals and families of insurers (including across state lines), increased options in purchasing medications and supplies, and as always increased efficiency throughout the entire system might help better serve to provide necessary treatment for all who need without the levels of taxation and bureaucracy that a one-size-fits-all government-run program entails. Similarly, freeing up pharmaceutical companies from onerous, overbearing government regulations and disincentives, toward the ends of affording them greater means not only to develop drugs but to allow them to bring them to market- to patients- more quickly, as well as providing additional incentives for offering their drugs at discounted prices to patients of modest means. (And an aside, but two things: 1- I've never understood the mindset of some who claim corporations, in whatever industry, make "too much" profit. 2- I've always believed that adults ought to be able to ingest whatever substances they wish, be they medicinal or recreational.) Increased utilization of wellness programs, via public or private coverage, pro-active measures as part of an overall health plan can only help as well. Incentivizing the market across all sectors, from providers to patients and everyone in between, to me seems to be better policy than penalizing this (or any) industry, let alone having government take on a far greater role. We need to be- and can be- far more creative on this entire issue.

I don't claim to be an expert (yet) on this issue, nor to have all the answers. I don't believe those on Beacon Hill or Capitol Hill have all the answers either. But ultimately, while I don't know if I consider it a "right," I certainly believe, now more than ever, that anyone in need of necessary medical care should be able to receive that care, regardless of means. What we need to do is to determine and implement the best, most effective and efficient, means to deliver and ensure that coverage and care.

For further reading:
Fixing the Massachusetts Health Exchange
Yes Mr. President A Free Market Can Fix Health Care
How Much Does Medicaid Improve Well-Being?  (7/8)