Senator John McCain: Glioblastoma vs Glioma

Senator McCain came back to the Senate, only to vote against the skinny repeal of OBAMACARE yesterday.  What a disappointment! However, Mr McCain has another health-related issue that will take up more attention: his brain tumor.

Blausen.com staff (2014)

Senator Ted Kennedy ( (February 22, 1932 – August 25, 2009) also had a brain tumor, but unfortunately, lasted only 15 months after his diagnosis. He was 77 ; younger than Senator McCain is now.

Senator Kennedy had Glioma which, though slower moving, has the more dire prognosis compared to Senator McCain's brain tumor, Glioblastoma. Still, cancer is cancer; things do not look good. I feel nothing but pity for Mr McCain and his family. Here's a good article comparing the two brain tumors:

Glioma versus Glioblastoma:
Brain tumor is the most complex cancer of all due to its location in the most complex organ, the brain. Glioma and Glioblastoma are two different types of brain tumors. These tumors arise from the brain tissue and tend to usually occur in the fifth or sixth decade of life. They are also called primary brain tumors, that is, not secondary to any other cancer in the body and are the most commonly occurring as compared to other brain tumors.

Differences in Origin:
Glioma accounts for 80% of the brain tumors and arises from glial cells, a type of supporting tissue for the brain cells. It is differentiated into three main groups according to the types of cells that it shares features with. A glioma could be arising from astrocytes (star shaped cells conducting brain activity), oligodendrocytes (forming protective layer around nerve cells) or ependymal cells (lining walls of fluid spaces within the brain). This also differentiates it into low grade or benign glioma and a high grade or malignant (cancerous) glioma. 30% of these gliomas are malignant.

Glioblastoma is the commonest of all malignant tumors of the brain. In fact, it is found to be highly cancerous containing a very high blood supply and comprising of dead tissue and cystic tissue. Due to its multiple forms, it is also termed Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). It arises from star shaped cells in the brain called astrocytes. The grade IV type of tumor arising from these astrocytes which is infiltrative and undifferentiated from other normal cells is called Glioblastoma.

Difference in prognosis:
Glioma though is a slowly progressing tumor; its prognosis is not very good. There is no cure and the only aim of treatment is to bring down its growth and to manage symptoms. The survival rate from the time of diagnosis is on an average 12 months but with better modalities of treatment coming up a median survival of up to 11 to 12 years seen. Again the life expectancy depends on whether the tumor is benign or malignant with the latter carrying lesser years of survival.

Glioblastoma is a rapidly growing tumor with a survival rate of 3 to 5 months from the time of diagnosis if left untreated. But, following surgical removal a survival rate of 1 – 2 years has been observed. The years of survival reduce with increasing age. In 10% of the cases, a survival rate of 5 years has also been seen.

Summary:

It can be concluded that both Glioma and Glioblastoma are common brain tumors. Their occurrence increases with progressing age and are best treated with surgical removal after being diagnosed with the help of a CT scan or an MRI scan. The surgery is followed by radiotherapy and chemotherapy to limit the growth of these tumors and to manage the symptoms arising from them. Glioblastomas arise from star shaped astrocytes while gliomas arise from any of the supportive tissue cells of the brain.

Read the full article here Glioma and Glioblastoma 

********************************
I am hoping that Mr McCain lives long enough to fulfil the rest of his term in the US Senate (ends Yr 2022). If he is unable to fulfil his duties, Arizona Republican governor, Doug Ducey, will appoint someone to fill the vacant seat. Then, an election will be held in Yr 2018 -- two AZ Senators would be running for election in the same year! Sounds ominous to the Republican-controlled US Senate, IMO.  We'll have to wait and see.

As much as Mr McCain has recently left a bad taste in my mouth (re Obamacare) I will be praying that he is healed completely if it is the Lord's will.

Senator Kennedy

Ted Kennedy &  Glioma





38.8.25.18

He went from Bernie to Jill Stein to Donald Trump

For me, the Nov 2016 Presidential Election was about staying far, far away from Hillary R Clinton -- "the most qualified US Presidential candidate ever!" 

Here's this guy's journey and why he's stayed on the same track:

Dogs of Summer, part 1

Some pups are unforgettably handsome and I must post abou them. This young Poodle mix and his equally young owners were in line for Mario's Italian Ice in the Little Italy neighborhood.  May I take his picture, I asked one of them.  Little boy said okay, but was really more interested in keeping his place in line for the counter. Their beautiful doggie agreed with his sentiment, so I didn't push it by distracting them or by asking too many questions (such as the  black cutie-pies name). Just took quick pictures and got out of their way. Glad that they have a firm grip on this precious pretty Pup, though. 

young Poodle waiting in line 

stayed still long enough for a photo

Otherwise, he is too warm and distracted by the great aroma of FOOD and/or ICEd DRINKS to care about anything else.

[Sad] Facts Behind LGBT Month

LGBT Pride month (June) is officially over. I did not celebrate. I grieved. 

To summarise the festivities; tens of thousands of homosexual men have contracted  AIDS this month, hundreds of thousands more have severely ruptured their rectal organs and will be unable to go to the bathroom in a normal manner again. Millions more have spread and contracted a host of diseases from syphilis to gonorrhea as well as the onset of anal and rectal cancer as feces, semen, and blood are mixed in the most unnatural of ways. It has been quite a month.

How can I say I care about "gay people" if I encourage and celebrate this behavior? Two men sodomising each is not love, it is unhealthy and destructive behavior. Many will call me a hater and a bigot for saying this (oblivious to their own hatred and bigotry) but it is love that demands I say these things. How many young men are being seduced into this self-destructive lifestyle while the media celebrates and panders to their seducers? If I love homosexuals I will seek to steer them out of that lifestyle and inform them of the work of courageous men, like Dr. Josef Nicolosi, who have developed reparative treatments rescuing men and women from same-sex attractions.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ, along with a good supporting community, can liberate and set free any one of us from the deepest addictions, habits, and desires.

Our bodies were designed for lifelong monogamous sexual activity between a male and female. All the scientific data confirms this. This is the standard. All the propaganda, hype, sentimentality and seductions of our modern narcissistic age will not change that standard. America will either turn back to this standard or we will go the way of the Roman Empire.

-- Jason Storms
Hedonism

Thou shalt not lie with mankind,

as with womankind:

it is abomination.

Leviticus 18:22

--> Rainbows and Promises








******************

Republicans are More Generous Tippers

pc: wikipedia

Restaurant servers take note

:

Republican customers

may be more likely to leave a bigger tip than Democrats.

A survey from Creditcards.com released Monday shows that Republican males who live in the Northeast are more likely to leave a generous tip than Southern Democrats, according to  Fox Business.

Princeton Survey Research Associates International, the firm which conducted the survey for Creditcards.com, found that Republican males from the Northeast gave tips amounting to 20 percent of the bill when dining out, while Democrats from the South of both sexes tipped 15 percent on average.

Women also tended to be stingy tippers in the survey, giving tips amounting to 16 percent of a restaurant bill. (Note:  this is not the case in my household)

“When it comes to generous tipping, Republicans definitely beat Democrats. Fifty-nine percent of Republicans say their typical restaurant tip exceeds 15 percent, while just 46 percent of Democrats say the same,” said Matt Schulz, senior industry analyst at Creditcards.com.

“Democrats are also more likely than their GOP counterparts to say that they never tip hotel housekeepers, hair stylists/barbers and coffee shop baristas,” Schulz added.

Schulz stressed, however, that a person’s tipping habits are linked more to personal income than other factors such as political affiliation, sex, or geographical location.

“There are other factors, but generally, the more money you have, the more likely you are to leave a little extra on the table at the end of the night,” he said.

For those who are more likely to leave a tip, the ride-hailing service Uber rolled out  tipping on its app in June in select locations. The tipping feature is expected to be rolled out nationwide by the end of July.

Some restaurants, such as Danny Meyer’s group of restaurants in New York City, say that they want to end the practice of tipping altogether.

 by  Katherine Rodiguez,  
breitbart.com


link -->  Survey on Tippers

link --> Conservatives are Less Stingy

Trump Toilet Paper Will Provide Jobs for Mexicans

A Mexican businessman offended by presidential candidate Donald Trump’s campaign rhetoric will introduce “Trump” brand toilet paper this year. He is going to use a percentage of the revenue to help illegal immigrants and those deported, he claims.

Guanajuato lawyer Antonio Battaglia will market the product with the iconic image of the Trump golden coiffure placed atop a roll of toilet paper, reported Expansión, a CNN affiliate network. The Expansión reported that “[t]he offensive tone when referring to Mexicans during his campaign days heading for the United States presidency motivated Battaglia.” The publication mentioned Trump’s reference to “bad hombres,” a phrase the candidate used during a presidential debate in October 2016. As reported by Breitbart News, the use of the phrase was about drug dealers.

“It caused me a nuisance, and I started looking for a way to do something that had an impact, not in a tone of mockery or bad revenge, but in a positive way,” the Mexican lawyer and businessman told Expansión.

Battaglia, the grandson of Antonio Felix Battaglia, a professional football player in Argentina, said he tried to register a clothing or footwear line, but the “Trump” Brand is already registered. He and his family already have a shoemaking business.

Battaglia says he wants to produce a product at an affordable price and help those who are affected by the Trump Administration’s policies. Battaglia told the media outlet, “At the onset, I hope to allocate 30% of the profit to organizations in Guanajuato.” He says he will invest approximately 400,000 pesos but will entertain outside investors.

Battaglia says the biggest challenge is finding a producer because the market has been oversold. He found a company in Mexico to produce the product. The businessman claimed he is doing this because he became irritated at what he perceived as Trump’s attack on Mexican citizens during the campaign. However, he reportedly obtained registration of the mark in the Mexican Institute of the Industrial Property (IMPI) in August 2015.

Bob Price serves as associate editor and senior political news contributor for Breitbart Texas. He is a founding member of the Breitbart Texas team. Follow him on Twitter @BobPriceBBTX and Facebook.

pc: Antonio Battaglia

Link -- > T P

Proceeds --> Este si apoya a los migrantes.

Other Merchandise --> Anti-Trump at Mall of America

Mario's Italian Lemonade

WARM DAY! This is the first of my two visits so far this year at world-famous Mario's  Italian Ice.

I tend to stick to my order of Cantaloupe .  Hubby is confident that he can make a similar shaved ice dish, and make it even better.  I hope so. Unconfirmed rumor has it that the owner is quite wealthy because of his neighborhood stand;  and winters in Florida when the place closes down for the cooler/colder months.

there it is!

my sibs and b-i-l in line

come on over, and order already!

a HOT dog also waiting in line

Youth Camp and Lost Marbles

Our son will have spent several weeks full-time at a Youth Camp by the end of this Summer. He got trained to be a Camp Counselor. He's kept very busy assisting at Day Camp and cooking meals at the camp's kitchens also.

BOYS CAMP:  The always-exhilarating week has finally arrived. His cabin has 12 campers, boys between the ages of 9 to 11 years.

The first night of Boys Camp had him texting me to please pray as the cabin was "tough". The boys were staying up and not sleeping! It was simply too exciting for them.  As head Counsellor of his cabin, my son definitely needed rest. I encouraged him by saying that the young boys will eventually settle down in the days ahead as they get used to Camp life.  The multitude of Camp activities will definitely tire them out as well. Of course, I also told him I'd pray to the Lord for the situation.

GO SWIM IN THE LAKE:  This is a traditional camp activity.  An early (6:30 am) wake up call -- before breakfast -- to hunt for marbles and tops that have been thrown into the [cold] lake.  Participation gets you a cup of hot chocolate.  The winner gets a prize and bragging rights.

pc: LGYC

pc: LGYC

pc: JIngersol

pc: LGYC

Pianist Yuja Wang & Brahms Piano Concerto No. 1

We were thrilled to take our piano-playing and Pianist daughters to see Miss Wang's recent debut performance on Ravinia's stage.  She was accompanied by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra (C S O).

 Miss Wang is very famous for her virtuosity on Piano, as well as for her very short and revealing outfits while in concert.  Plus, the sky-high stiletto shoes she wears -- also, while in concert.

Personally, I was most interested in her Piano performance of Johannes Brahms' Piano Concerto No. 1; and her beautiful, long, pianist fingers. Bravo and Wow on both counts.  

pc: the New Yorker

Ravinia used a picture of Ms Wang at Carnegie Hall, 2013

View from above of Yuja's long, tapering fingers.

Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands

Ps 100

Thy shoes shall be iron and brass; 

and as thy days, so shall thy strength be 

Deuteronomy 33:25

Yuja Wang & the Art of Performance






34.07.12.18

Tightening our Strings for Many Years

For the large chunk of change $$$ he's gotten from us for servicing our Piano(s) during the past 20 years, how does our Piano Tuner pay us back?  With dog treats, of course!  My pups simply love his visits.

Don is 85-year old.  He is not only a Piano Tuner, he is also a talented Singer, Jazz Musician, airplane Pilot, Accordionist, Organist, Entertainer, Music Teacher, and Owner of the Music School that each of our 6 kids have attended. He rides his motorcycle with his tuning tools stored in the back seat during warmer weather.

link   Piano STRINGS ATTACHED

Wacky Wednesday: Pictures With Kids

We hope you laugh with us on this Wednesday:

you've been warned!

the root of many diseases, lol

No kid nor animal nor Liberal was harmed -- we promise!

Obama Thinks He's still POTUS

I did not vote for Mr Obama in 2008 nor in 2012; and felt relief when he was finally out of office. So why is the  Former Prez acting as if he were still the POTUS?!!!  He had better be careful.  He would not want to be in violation of the LOGAN ACT--1 Stat. 613, 18 U.S.C. § 953, enacted January 30, 1799 -- and be fined, or imprisoned, or both  (emphasis below mine):  

§ 953. Private correspondence with foreign governments.

Any citizen of the United States, wherever he may be, who, without authority of the United States, directly or indirectly commences or carries on any correspondence or intercourse with any foreign government or any officer or agent thereof, with intent to influence the measures or conduct of any foreign government or of any officer or agent thereof, in relation to any disputes or controversies with the United States, or to defeat the measures of the United States, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than three years, or both.

Remember that it was the hints and innuendo of the violation of said Act that may have played a role in the toppling of former national security adviser, Michael "Mike" Flynn.


Links Below:

Mr Obama attends Asian Leadership Conference, Seoul

Barack Obama Complains About Paris in Indonesia


Mr O. speaks for $400,000 in Canada


Obama may have been "Acting as President"

IG: I never Tire of Winning

My second time to win!

I had captioned a picture on Natalie Wood's  official IG account and, surprisingly, my entry won. Yay!!!
I am thrilled to have recently received my awesome prize of a small bottle of Natalie Eau de Parfum.  I personally love the fragrance, and this further affirms my decision to have the fragrance top my Favourite Fragrances List.

TRY IT!
If you're on the fence on yet another celebrity perfume, why not order a sample for $5 on the Natalie Fragrance website and see for yourself.

FYI:  Ms Wood's birthday is coming up.  I received an email from their website last month that they will have 20% off on their products from July 20-22nd.



link ... Remembering Ms Natalie Wood

Dogs and Carprofen for Pain Relief

Our Maltichon dog was recently spayed at the age of 6 months. Here she is with her smiley self; before she was robbed of her womanhood:

She was discharged in the late p.m. on the day of surgery with 8 pills: Rimadyl (aka Carprofen,  to alleviate pain during the next 4 days).

Beware:

... like all non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) medications used in humans and animals, it is capable of causing gastrointestinal, liver and kidney problems in some patients.

After introduction, significant anecdotal reports of sudden animal deaths from its use arose. To date, the FDA has received more than 6,000 adverse reaction reports about the drug (manufactured by Pfizer). As a result, the FDA requested that Pfizer advise consumers in their advertising that death is a possible side effect. Pfizer refused and pulled their advertising; however, they now include death as a possible side effect on the drug label.   (wikipedia)

This fatal outcome is not an option for us if we can help it. 

 Symptoms to watch for include:

• Loss of appetite
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Increase in thirst
• Increase in urination
• Fatigue and/or Lethargy
• Loss of coordination
• Seizures

WHAT TO DO: 

First;  We PRAY as we acknowledge that it is not by our might nor by our power to heal, make alive and keep safe, but only by the Lord Jesus Christ's.

Second; We look back and can affirm the safety of RIMADYL.  Each of our recent, adopted pets has been issued the same drug after surgery --from the same place and by the same Veterinarian. The dogs and one cat made it unscathed, praise God.

However, your situation might be different.  Use the drug with discretion. Ask your Vet for advice. Continue to keep a careful eye on your beloved pet(s). Pray to the Lord for safety.

pc: wikipedia

Link  Carprofen aka Rimadyl

Brands (via wikipedia )

It is marketed under many brand names including:

• Carprieve LA (veterinary use) by Norbrook
• Carprocow (veterinary use) by Norbrook
• Carprodolor (veterinary use) by Le Vet and Virbac
• Carprodyl (veterinary use) by Ceva
• Carprofelican (veterinary use) by Le Vet
• Carprofen (veterinary use) by Apex
• Carprofen Krka (veterinary use) by Krka
• Carprogesic (veterinary use) by Norbrook and Zoetis
• Carprosol (veterinary use) by CP Pharma and Norbrook
• Carprotab (veterinary use) by CPPharma
• Carprox (veterinary use) by Krka and Virbac
• Comforion (veterinary use) by Orion
• Dolagis (veterinary use) by Albrecht, Ati, Scanvet, and Sogeval
• Dolocarp (veterinary use) by Animalcare, Animedic, aniMedica, and Gräub
• Dolox (veterinary use) by Faunapharma
• Eurofen (veterinary use) by Eurovet
• Kelaprofen (veterinary use) by Kela
• Norocarp (veterinary use) by Axience, Norbrook, N-vet, Ufamed, Vetoquinol, and Vet Medic
• Norodyl (veterinary use) by Norbrook
• Paracarp (veterinary use) by IDT
• Prolet (veterinary use) by Jurox
• Reproval (veterinary use) by Norbrook
• Rimadyl (veterinary use) by Orionm Pfizer, Austria; Pfizer, Putney, Wirtz, and Zoetis
• Rimifin (veterinary use) by Albrecht, Chanelle, Eurovet, and Vetoquinol
• Rofeniflex (veterinary use) by Chanelle
• Rycarfa (veterinary use) by Krka
• Scanodyl (veterinary use) by Scan Vet
• Tergive (veterinary use) by Parnell
• Xelcor (veterinary use) by Bayer

Will an Impeachment of POTUS Trump Succeed?

pc: wikipedia

The impeachment of a sitting  US President is a 2-step process:
Step 1: Formal charges are brought by the US House of Representatives.  It must be by simple majority for charges to stick.  
Examples of impeachable offences, per wikipedia, are "treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors" (as defined by Congress). 

 Step 2:  After formal articles of impeachment,  the US Senate will hold a trial, and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court (currently, the Honorable John Roberts) presides.  To convict the POTUS and remove him from office, 2/3 majority of the Senators must vote and say Yes/Okay.

The problem of numbers glares at you from the get-go. President Trump's current tenure has both the House and Senate under Republican control. Mr Trump's removal from office via impeachment -- even when you consider the few RINOs in cahoots with the Democrats -- looks unlikely to succeed:

Want proof?
(a) "Case in point was President  Bill Clinton . Everyone knows that he lied under oath regarding his affair with Monica Lewinsky. He was impeached in Congress by a simple majority vote. However, for the impeachment to hold, it needed 67% of the Senators. With the Democrats in control of the Senate at that time, that did not happen".

(b) "The other case was President Barack Hussein Obama II. The Republicans during his second term controlled both Houses of Congress. Many Republicans loathed Mr Obama and yet they could not impeach him because of this 67% rule".  -- WP

If the Democrats still manage to succeed and impeach President Trump, they need to know and consider the chart below:

pc: The Federalist Papers

links:  
Why Impeaching is a Total Fail for Dems


  What are RINOs?

I am a Child of Immigrants

While a mere wisp of a child and living in a 3rd world country in SE Asia, my R N  Mama and Civil Engineer Papa sought greener pastures elsewhere. Mom and Dad were hard workers, could speak fluent English, had their college degrees, and knew a few relatives and acquaintances abroad. That's it.  Oh, they also had RAW. SHEER. COURAGE. 

Which country to choose? The travel agent had cajoled them to move to Canada. It's quick, and relatively "easy" said she. I am certain they could have also chosen Japan, Australia, England, South America, and so on.  But no, it was USA/America or bust!

And no wonder. The USA was a very popular choice for many. Safety was never going to be an issue in a country known for its stability. Jobs were plentiful. Success was not unheard of. My parents must have also liked the list of rights afforded to all LEGAL immigrants (emphasis mine): 

Your Rights as a Permanent Resident*

As a permanent resident (green card holder), you have the right to:

• Live permanently in the United States provided you do not commit any actions that would make you removable under immigration law
• Work in the United States at any legal work of your qualification and choosing. (Please note that some jobs will be limited to U.S. citizens for security reasons)
• Be protected by all laws of the United States, your state of residence and local jurisdictions

 After filling-out a mountain of paperwork, passing the physical exam and fulfilling all requirements set by the immigration laws of the USA, we were given our green cards  (status: Legal Resident).  Five years after moving here,  our family of 5 proudly chose to become  US Citizens. Through the years and up to today, we have had no reason nor desire to ever permanently leave this country. By the grace of God, we have been blessed beyond measure.It was worth the wait and all difficulties.  My parents made an excellent choice. The R Family loves you, America.  Happy, Happy Birthday on this 4th of July!

*via Department of Homeland Security