October 8

Yesterday was Sally's birthday.  She would have been 71.  I thought about her a lot.

Well we are back in Texas--flew back a week ago.  We had a lot of stuff lined up to get done--Dermatology, Dentists, and another epidural steroid injection.  Had the injection a week ago and things are better but not as perfect as after the first injection 6 months ago.  I hope it will improve over time.  But, Yikes, the day after the injection I heard about the increasing cases of fatal fungal meningitis that had just begun being reported in several southern states.  Apparently some clinics use a steroid from a compounding pharmacy in Massachusetts and some vials were contaminated with particulate matter--fungi I guess.  Texas apparently had some of the vials but no cases as of now (we're all dying of West Nile virus).  However, I panicked and called the office to find out the source of the stuff they injected into me.  I was assured that they use a different steroid and that it was sourced from an ethical drug company.  Whew!  I find it hard to believe that any clinic would be using stuff that isn't regulated by FDA--maybe it's a few cents cheaper?  I guess the FDA is not allowed to regulate these pharmacies--the consequence of a Republican Congress and a Conservative Supreme Court.  And they want to get rid of even more regulations.  Dietary supplements are already exempt (thanks to Orin Hatch) from FDA oversight.  Such is life in these United States. Well--enough of that.

Val and I are driving to Panama City Beach, FL on Thursday for a couple of weeks.  As you may remember, I purchased a condo there in Sally's Family Trust and it has been renting well all year.  We are headed down to make sure it has all the stuff that is needed and to replace or repair any damaged items. We will be heading back at the end of the month and stopping in Beaumont where Val's children and grandchildren will be giving her a 70th birthday party.  She is a halloween baby.  So this is a busy time for birthday's.  I think we are all somehow indebted to New Year's eve or thereabout for the action.