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David Mitchell

Joe!  

That's my cousin Bubba!  

I think he's on to something.

Janie Albright (Blank)

Thanks for all the birthday greetings! So many wishes and my family made my first and hopefully only quarantined birthday special. 

David Mitchell

Were they able to toss you up some cake?

Janie Albright (Blank)

Dave, ha! I remotely opened the building door. They set cake in the entry. My neighbor brought it up. We dont allow visitors in our building. I lit candles and they sang to me. I cut some pieces and through same method sent the remainder back down. Insane! 
 

David Mitchell

Wow Girl!  You really know how to throw a party.

David Mitchell

Couldn't get a funny screen shot to download.

Suffice it to say this would  have been a really clever post. 

Or not.

Ignore. Erase. Rinse. Repeat.

Michael McLeod

Jim:

Interviewed a virologist, a couple of nurses, and two covid19 patients over the past two days for a story I am putting together. Will take me about a month to write and finish up my research but I will post a link when it comes out. Very interesting how widely the symptoms and severity differ from one person to another. Also interesting to hear their personal stories - including the sense of being shunned once they have recovered, been through quarantine, and are no longer a danger to anyone. I got choked up as I interviewed the one man and he told me about the priest who got through to him in the dead of his darkest night in the hospital. He was in for two weeks and wouldn't let them put him on a ventilator, was determined to fight through it on his own. (I think this guy - he was a pilot in the air force and flew f15s and f16s, by the way -  was scared of losing control. I think he thought he'd die if he let them put him on the ventilator).  He talked about the bond with his doctor (the virologist I interviewed) who helped him through it by just sitting there and literally holding his hand. I think because of the fear factor and the unknowns of this thing the personal bond between doctors, nurses and patients is much, much more important than ordinarily with this disease. Interesting detail: he lost his sense of taste - which seems to be a common thing with this virus - and knew he was going to survive when he realized he could taste the strawberry ice cream the kitchen staff brought him one day. That has to be the best bowl of ice cream this guy ever had. I'll use the two patients as the anchor for a story that will be about the vagaries of the disease, the hardships on families, etc., the bond with caregivers, etc.  I don't know much yet about this part of the science yet, I guess nobody does, but both patients are donating blood and plasma in the hopes that the antibodies they generated to battle the disease in themselves can be helpful to other patients. 

Mark Schweickart

Mike -- sounds like the makings for a terrific piece of journalism. Just this little summary you posted here was quite compelling in itself. Good luck with that. I hope you are able to do your interviewing on-line for the most part. You don't want to lose your sense of taste, or your life, chasing down this story. Be safe.

James Hamilton, M. D.

Mike,

 I shall be most interested in reading your story and I know you will write one with feeling and a patient's perspective.

 In past posts I have mentioned that so much of medicine today, especially during this pandemic, is presented from an epidemiological viewpoint . My experience has always been with treating individual patients. Two of the things I have drilled into my students is the need to actually touch - lay hands - on the patients and talk to them (80%  of diagnoses are made on the basis of taking a proper history), preferably face-to-face and not with their backs to the patients while tapping on a computer keyboard. Both of those require TIME, something that doctors today are being pushed to limit by some non-physician administrators. Telemedicine obviously eleminates the hands-on part. William Osler, the "Father of Internal Medicine", would be turning over in his grave! The doctor you mentioned who held that patient's hand is a true physician. I know telemedicine is useful in some specialties and in this pandemic. It has metastasized to so many others, but I really hope it does not become the "new norm". And those who say that a doctor should not get emotionally involved in their patients' lives are not being realistic. 

Sorry that I got off on this tangent but your post brought out some thoughts that I think are important. Healing is both an art and a science, and only one of those can be taught, the other has to be learned by dealing with patients and families. Your story has a real opportunity to express that point.

Jim 

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Michael McLeod

Thanks Mark.

Jim. I'm not in the least surprised by what you describe as a tangent. It's more of a reflection of the person I know you to be.

I think I mentioned both of these patient are donating plasma. There hasn't been enough  time to do much research along those lines (at least for this particular virus)  but I did find this:

https://www.pnas.org/content/early/2020/04/02/2004168117

James Hamilton, M. D.

Mike,  

That Chinese study on convalescent plasma therapy for COVID-19 has cornered a lot of attention from the medical community and further research is being conducted. I think that will confirm the efficacy of this treatment. As you may be aware now or may see as you research this topic for your article, immune globulin therapy is often used in treating a myriad of diseases and has been for some time. It has also been used prophylactically to prevent Hepatitis A in people exposed to or traveling to endemic areas of Hep A (although the vaccine has decreased the need for that in many patients). Herd immunity (on a community level), convalescent plasma (CP) and vaccines all result in an adequte immune response to the virus in many individuals. The question, particularly with CP, is how long will it last and will it interfere with the recipients' ability to generate their own IgG antibodies?

Jim 

David Mitchell

Wow Mike!   Thank you for writing this great piece. Can't wait for the finished product.

I was just about to answer your post #7239 above with an almost exact copy of what Jim followed it with. How many times over the dinner table did I hear my dad wax on and on about this very thought. It is the notion that taking the time with the individual patient, looking them in the face, and touching them is actually a necessary part of most treatment. My dad used to use that exact phrase "laying on hands" and claimed it was "life giving".

I recall him ranting one night about a decison that had been made that day at OSU Medical School, where he served as a Department head for amost 45 years. Skipping some details - it was about a decison to accept one of the Juniors in pre-med, directly into Med School (a year early - a once common practice for a select few - not sure if they still do that?).

The board chose NOT to accept the one who was loved and respected by all for his wonderful, caring personality, becasue he only had a 3.7 grade accum (got a 'D' in his freshman German class and couple 'B's" somewhere else along the way. We knew him.) Instead they chose the guy with a 4.0 accum. who was an introverted, keep-to-himself, egghead that no one could warm up to. Dad was ready to explode when he got home for dinner.

I will never forget his quote, "This damn Medical School has gotten too damn political, and too damn expensive, and too damned important for it's own good. We're turning out technicians and not physicians! They know how to run every damn test known to man, but don't give a damn about the patient. 

(and that was back in the 60's)

This brings back thoughts from "The Road Less Traveled" by Scott Peck. He made the point loud and clear that no mater how much analysis and how many tests, real healing doesn't usually occur unless and until the Doctor actually "cares" for the patient.

I remember that book in just about evey bookstore window and on every grocery store checkout back in the 70's. My Dad practically begged me to read it but I wouldn't normally follow my dad's advice if you held a gun at my head. Then, after two failed atempts (first 100 pages is pretty technical and boring), I was having lunch with Kevin Ryan and Steve Hodges - 2 seperate occasions -  and they both said it was the most important book they had ever read. 'Nough said. I finished it and agree with Kevin and Steve (and Jim) whole-heartedly. 

Michael Boulware

A good way to fillup time we have to spend in the house is by reading good books. Kevin Ryan suggested reading The Walt Longmire series by Craig Johnson. The series has been portrayed on Netflix. Kevin steered me in the right direction; they are really good novels.

My favorites are the Jack Reacher series by Lee Child. Reading those is like watching Rocky or Rambo. 

These are just suggestions how you can kill some time waiting for the coronavirus to get out of town. I hope some of our classmates add to the list.

Mary Clare Hummer (Bauer)

Janie,

So many celebrations have to be put on hold for so many.  Watterson senior class parents sponsored and carried out a senior recognition surprise last night.  Participating parents each were assigned a list of kids’ addresses and went on a midnight delivery run. Hopefully, they'll be able to celebrate like we did in '66 sometime this summer.  

Joseph D. McCarthy

First.  Mike, to add to your reading list I've mentioned to a couple classmates about an article in our local paper, and also the San Francisco Chronicle, about Jack London's 1910 short apocalyptic novel " The Scarlet Plague" about a 21st century pandemic in his home state (California).  London imagined a global epidemic in the year 2013 that killed........

Second.  Dr. Jim can you help with a discussion on hand washing during current conditions.  My wife has said that she heard that washing with soap and hot water would kill the virus.  I have said that washing with hot water Opens the pores in the skin, but does not kill a virus.  Thats in order to kill the virus with HOT it would have to be hot enough to give one third degree burns.  Somewhere in between is probably the right answer.  Your thoughts would be appreciated.

Joe

the Non-Scientist / Non-Medical expert

James Hamilton, M. D.

Joe McC.,

There is still a debate about water temperature in regards to hand washing. Obviously, boiling hot water kills microorganisms but is not a practical way to disinfect skin. Most people will probably wash their hands longer in warm water than cold or very hot water. Soap will lather up better in warm/hot water than in cold and, therefore, will do a better job of cleansing and removing dirt and pathogens from the hands. Soap does tend to destroy the virus capsid (cover) and thus kills the virus. Hand sanitizers can also destroy the capsid but do not remove dirt and (supposedly dead) pathogens from the hands. So, hand washing is superior to sanitizers if properly performed. However, in a pinch, sanitizers are a good option if a sink is not available. Another point about hand washing: antibacterial soaps are most likely not much better - if at all - than plain soap.

Hope this helps! 

Jim 

Alan Standish

Some suggestions for authors to read during these lousy times:  Michael Connelly, John Grisham, Harlan Coben, Robert Crais, Lee Child (right. Mike?), James Lee Burke(thanks, Kevin!), Nelson DeMille, James Patterson, Karin Slaughter, Joseph Wambaugh, Carl Hiassen, the Vince Flynn series (Vince Flynn and after his death, Kyle Mills), Stieg Larsson (Dragon Tatoo series- and after his death, David Lagercrantz), the KIlling series by Bill O'Reilly + Martin Dugard, Dan Brown, David Baldacci, Steven King,   and for those fans of historical fiction books with about 1000 pages and small print - James Michener.  That should keep everyone busy well through the pandemic!!  Enjoy everyone's take on current affairs from the Mikes to Dr. Jim.  Suspect right perspective somewhere in between. 

Timothy Lavelle

Al, Great list. Thanks. James Lee Burke can't be beat. Can I add a couple ala James Lee? Dennis LeHane and of course Elmore Leonard.

And, a story. My oldest bro's first wife passed away many years ago. My sister decided she had "just the right girl" for her widower brother. Mary Connelly, (a gorgeous and wonderful woman and Michael's mother) lived out the rest of her life married to my hero, Jack LaVelle. I think it was ""Blood Work"  that has a dedication to Jack n Mary. Michael takes no plot advice from me or he would be a bestseller by now! 

David Mitchell

Dare I throw in Pat Conroy - who's book "Prince of Tides" was writtien with my Bluffton as it's (unnamed) setting (while he lived here). 

And who would be so silly as to think a story about a University of Washington rowing team in the 1930's could possibley be interesting? "The Boys in the Boat"  by Daniel James Brown is wonderful - much deeper than a bunch of college guys rowing! 

Anybody like Jon Krakauer? I read "Into Thin Air" and loved it. His "Into The Wild" was a great read too, but rather depressing.  And Still hoping to read his expose of fundamental Mormonism, "Under the Banner Of Heaven". My son doesn't read much but he said he couldn't put this one down.

Krakauer is just plain interesting. He has seveal other books, and came under attack (at first) for exposing the financial fraud of the author of "Three Cups of Tea" in his own book "Three Cups of Deceipt". 

My (now published author) oldest daughter (who I believe eats books for lunch), gave me a book years ago that I thought was too long for me. It was David James Duncan's "The Brothers K". A disfunctional family in Washington State with a pair of parents not coping well, and four very different sons. Wow, was I wrong to think it would be too long for me.  Wonderful read once you get into it! 

If you have the stomach for a deep dive into one of the 20th Century's greatest inhumanities (and best kept secrets), try "The Rape of Nanking" by the late Iris Chang. She is (was) a Chinese American scholar who gives an in-depth account of the Japanese occupation and systematic slaughter of 300,000 to 400,000 Chinese citizens in the City of Nanking around 1937. It will shock you to the core. My dad had a similar book and shared a bit of this story with me as a boy. The Japanese refer to it as the "Nanking Incident" and have done everything they can over the last 70+ years to keep the facts out of public scrutiny.

The current day Japanese press harrased this American author so harshy that she fell into a depression and commited suicide.

The story has three shocking elements; First, that the mass killings actually happened, Second, that a small "International" safe section was left for the American, British, Australian, and German, residents to live in safely, and Third, that those same international citizens were given no credibilty whatsoever by the Western Press when the war was over and they tried to tell their story to the world.

I can only imagine Mark could have a field day with his historic research on this one.    

Alan Standish

Tim- It wasn't "Blood Work", but "A Darkness More Than Light", released in 2001(his 10th book) that he dedicated "this is for Mary and Jack Lavelle who proved there are second acts".  He must have overcome any advice you gave him, because he went on to write 34 books and create and executive produce the Amazon TV series "Bosch", based on his character Hieronymous (Harry) Bosch-now in it's 6th season!  I'm duly impressed!!

David Mitchell

And Al,

Love that you threw in Michener. I started reading books again in Vietnam with the advice of a buddy. I had literally taken a book out of the trash can down on the fligh tline one day. It was Taylor Caldwell's "Grandmother And the Priests". I only grabbed it because I recognized it from my mother's bedside night stand at home. I loved it, but then I was hungry for something more to read.

Same buddy gave me "The Fires of Spring" by Michener. It is not considered that great of a book, but it holds a place of special reverence on my book shelf. 

But now I feel I am at a disadvantage. Every time I try to read anything of any length at all, my eyelids suddently become like lead weights. I confess in recnet years, most of my serious reading has been while I am driving and listening to DVDs.  

Is this considiered cheating?

Mary Ann Nolan (Thomas)

^{Actually Dave Pat Conroy was from Beaufort, graduated from Beaufort High. He then taught on Daufuskee Island.Then went to the Citadel.He actually became a good friend of ours here in Beaufort. We had book signings at our Inn here in Beaufort and had his 70th birthday celebration at our place. He is now bured on St. Helena . The Pat Conroy literature  center is in downtown Beaufort.}

Alan Standish

Dave, I (vaguely) remember enjoying "The Fires of Spring" sometime in my teens.  Just finished "The Source"- kinda tough to get through, but very interesting!  Best thing about Michener is that you always learn something (whether you want to or not!)  I remember seeing the movie "The Prince of Tides" sometime in the early 90s and then reading the book later.  Enjoyed the book more than the movie!

Deborah Alexander (Rogers)

I am a huge Pat Conroy fan too!  I've read every one of his books, and loved every one.  His Catholic upbringing is an important part of his stories which makes the books very relatable.  If you want to read great family sagas, read Pat Conroy!  Mary Ann, how lucky for you that you got to meet him and have him as a friend.  I loved reading his books when down in the Low Country each summer, and I so wish there were more.  

Michael McLeod

https://twitter.com/sarahcpr/status/1253474772702429189?s=20&fbclid=IwAR1EtKT_csBbc5MaGaiZ_FRAfCMZUk7l1a52xMLd2uNDmmZCfmbC58s8zj0