Question of the day

From the Associated Press:

"New research adds fresh hope that a drug that strengthens bones might also fight breast cancer."

Question of the day:

What other substance strengthens bones and has been proven to fight breast cancer?

I'd put my substance (let's call it....."D") up against the drug mentioned in the AP article any day of the week for a number of reasons.

Let's compare "X" and "D."

1) The most common side effects of taking "X" is fatigue, nausea, vomiting, bone pain, headache, fever, shortness of breath, anemia, constipation, or lack of appetite. The most common side effects of taking "D" is healthier cells, reduction in new cancer incidence, weight loss, strong bones, etc.

2) The avg cost of receiving "X" is $9,600 per total treatment ($1,200 per infusion, infusions are typically given every three weeks for four to six months). For $9,600 you could purchase enough "D" to last you for 496 years. Or, you could purchase a 1 year supply of "D" for 496 people.

3) To receive "X" you must see a specialist and be given a prescription. To receive "D" you must log onto the internet and purchase capsules that contain optimal doses of 5,000 IU which will be delivered to your home by the mailman.

4) Treatment "X" is administered via IV infusion every three weeks for four to six months. Treatment "D" is a pill to be taken once/day at any time of the day, with or without food.

5) In the published materials for "X," it is recommended that in addition to receiving "X" you need to also take "D" on a daily basis.

Side Note: Dr. Davis, my cardiology friend, posted yet another entry about a patient with aortic valve disease that REVERSED.

A patient who previously had a leaky heart valve no longer has a leaky heart valve.

When the patient had a leaky heart valve, the patient was placed on 4,000-8,000 IU of our aforementioned mysterious substance I'm still referring to as "D." An echocardiogram many months later indicated NO leakage from the heart valve. None.

This doctor has several patients that previously had leaky heart valves and no longer do. Although the good doctor doesn't "want to extrapolate too far from the experience of one person," he's seen this more and more over the last year.

My grandma on my dad's side had aortic valve disease and ended up receiving a pig's valve as a replacement to her own damaged valve. We used to joke with her and snort like a pig when we walked by her (she thought it was hilarious...well, only the times where her hearing actually picked up on the fact that we were snorting and not passing gas, which she often thought we were doing when we made those noises).

So, hopefully I've answered the question of the day. Now, my work is done and I must wrap gifts.