Dec 20, 2022·edited Dec 20, 2022Liked by Mark Finn
I've never read the original story, but you've got me very excited about seeing del Tori's Pinocchio. That might be one for Christmas Day afternoon!
Sorry to hear you're feeling poorly - I've had bronchitis and sinusitis, though mercifully never simultaneously; bloody hell, that must be tough! I hope it eases a bit by Christmas so you can taste some nice (nut-free!) food and the only tangerines you have to worry about will be those left in your stocking by Santa (hey, you've been good this year).
I'm always fascinated by the differences in colorectal cancer surveillance between the US and UK. We don't do mass endoscopic screening because it's just not medically necessary to scope people that much, unless you have something like FAP - every one to three years - longstanding IBD or other specific medical history that would heighten your risk.
For the healthy majority it's introducing more health risk and cost to the system than is associated with potential false negatives from home tests (and presumably the thinking is that if you become symptomatic, you'll attend the doctor, get blood/stool tests and get scoped anyway if needed, at which point the already low individual risk is cancelled out by the benefits), especially for a cancer that is both frequently preventable and highly treatable when caught early, which annual home tests should ensure. It says a lot that you managed to get one by digging a little and questioning the policy - long may you evade their alien probes!
As a frequent victim of bronchitis, I sympathize. I also opted for the stool sample rather than colonoscopy. It's an adventure getting that sample just right for them.
Sinusitis is brutal. And so are colonoscopies. I was laughing while reading...only to realize it was nervous laughter. 50 is just around the corner for me.
Hearing that I can relive my childhood days of watching Mr. Wizard instead? That's the early Christmas gift I didn't know I needed.
Merry Christmas/Solstice/Hannukah/Holidays to all of you in the bunker!
I've never read the original story, but you've got me very excited about seeing del Tori's Pinocchio. That might be one for Christmas Day afternoon!
Sorry to hear you're feeling poorly - I've had bronchitis and sinusitis, though mercifully never simultaneously; bloody hell, that must be tough! I hope it eases a bit by Christmas so you can taste some nice (nut-free!) food and the only tangerines you have to worry about will be those left in your stocking by Santa (hey, you've been good this year).
I'm always fascinated by the differences in colorectal cancer surveillance between the US and UK. We don't do mass endoscopic screening because it's just not medically necessary to scope people that much, unless you have something like FAP - every one to three years - longstanding IBD or other specific medical history that would heighten your risk.
For the healthy majority it's introducing more health risk and cost to the system than is associated with potential false negatives from home tests (and presumably the thinking is that if you become symptomatic, you'll attend the doctor, get blood/stool tests and get scoped anyway if needed, at which point the already low individual risk is cancelled out by the benefits), especially for a cancer that is both frequently preventable and highly treatable when caught early, which annual home tests should ensure. It says a lot that you managed to get one by digging a little and questioning the policy - long may you evade their alien probes!
I think you will really like Pinocchio. It’s fantastic.
Y’all have a happy Christmas!
As a frequent victim of bronchitis, I sympathize. I also opted for the stool sample rather than colonoscopy. It's an adventure getting that sample just right for them.
World’s worst merit badge.
I hope you're feeling at least a little better!
Sinusitis is brutal. And so are colonoscopies. I was laughing while reading...only to realize it was nervous laughter. 50 is just around the corner for me.
Hearing that I can relive my childhood days of watching Mr. Wizard instead? That's the early Christmas gift I didn't know I needed.
Merry Christmas/Solstice/Hannukah/Holidays to all of you in the bunker!