Greetings from Beantown!

Hello everyone!

Thanks mom for setting this up! I'm still adding people as they email me their Google accounts so that we can all post to the blog. If you're tech savvy, there is a way you can set it up so you can post from your mobile device and email, you can find it on the Blogger Dashboard page once you've been added as a contributor. If anyone can't figure it out, I can bring my computer and help us all get set up at Thanksgiving.

As for updates from me, I'm living in Charlestown now, which is right by the North End in Boston. I absolutely love it. It's like living in a little town within the city. There is a great park in the middle of town with the Bunker Hill Monument and little brownstones around the square (well, the brownstones aren't so little). I've been trying to figure out a way to be able to stay here post-internship and post-graduation because I love it so much. Mostly it will depend on where I get a job. I also take a French class at Alliance Francais near Newbury St. in Boston, which is an adorable little (expensive) area of the city. I love that one night a week I get to experience both French culture and the culture of another area of the city all at once.

As for my other classes, I'm taking a Fundraising course which has developed into a suprising love of mine. I originally signed up for the course because I thought it would be a good resume-builder, good skills to have, etc. etc., but the professor is fantastic and the class has quickly become a favorite. I am also take a coexistence and conflict theory class as well as a class on the socio-psychological foundations of intractable conflict. Each class is interesting in its own way, mostly due to the amazing professors I have access to.

I've been thinking more and more about what I would like to do as my practicum this summer, but mostly I'm torn between too many options and no offers yet! I'll update once I know more!

Henry is doing quite well in his new surroundings; he enjoys having windows again that he can actually see out of! I enjoy not having everything I own either flooded or covered in mold. I also update from time to time on my other two blogs: www.sandishoes.blogspot.com and www.confessionsofahumanitarian.com - I've been a bit behind since school started up again, however.

I hope to see all of you at Thanksgiving!

Love you!

Rach

Dr. Steven Steinberg, Old Pueblo Urology

Steven Steinberg, MD
http://www.oldpueblourology.com/old-pueblo-urology-physicians.htm
Dr. Steinberg received his medical degree from the University of Virginia in Charlottesville. His surgical residency was completed at Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia and his urology residency at the University of Michigan Hospital in Ann Arbor. Dr. Steinberg is past Chief of Urology at St. Mary's Hospital. He is certified by theAmerican Board of Urology.
520-623-8475
or 1-800-566-2111

Jo's Tucson Update

Hi guys,

I returned last evening from Tucson. Had a good visit with Mom/G-ma and Dad/G-Pa. Their home is on the market and they have had a few showings but not much action overall.

Dad's/G-Pa's second cardioversion was successful so, cardiac-wise, he is doing better. He is off the warfarin (Coumadin - an anticoagulant) and remains on other meds to control his hypertension.

I accompanied them to the urologist last week. Nice guy in a group that practices out of 4 locations in Tucson. He was very patient and was not trying to influence him in any particular direction. Dad/G-pa does have a mass on his prostate - not unusual in guys his age - and optional to biopsy or not. Dad/G-pa decided to go along with the biopsy which will at least give him some info to make a next decision. The biopsy is scheduled for next Tuesday (Nov 9) in the urologist's office. Dad/G-Pa has had a foley catheter (indwelling catheter in the bladder) off and on for the past several weeks. He tried self-catheterization for a while but that was difficult. According to the urologist, the prostate doesn't appear to be the culprit in the urinary frequency, urgency and inability to void - rather, he suspects overactive/incompetent bladder. The urologist will probably recommend a laser or microwave treatment to reduce any prostate tissue blocking the urethra, but this might or might not improve the voiding. Dad/G-Pa may need to self-cath permanently or to have an indwelling suprapubic catheter (through the abdomen above the pubis directly into the bladder). Lots of people who for various reasons cannot void normally have such catheters. More on that later. One step at a time now.

Dad/G-Pa has lost some weight, not surprisingly, and he has very little appetite. So, eating greater quantities is not really an option. I recommended that he use whole milk in his cereal, brown sugar or maple syrup instead of stevia, and supplements of pudding that we made with double-strength milk (i.e. adding dry milk powder to whole milk to double the protein value). We also got him some Breyer's ice cream which he happily ate each evening after dinner.

His spirits seem to be better. He is not happy with the present situation but is talking about gaining strength and looking forward to feeling better.

Mom/G-ma has a lot on her plate right now. She looks well and says she feels well, but she is working very hard managing all of Dad/G-Pa's health issues along with her own. But in her usual fashion, she has everything organized and is keeping meals, laundry, medications, appointments, etc. on track.