tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17955618136387244262024-03-08T10:51:30.295-08:00Al Eakle's blogAl Eaklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03320658772833170228noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1795561813638724426.post-22448991454891849082011-07-13T05:52:00.000-07:002011-07-13T05:52:29.202-07:00Tricare at it's finest<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well, today's not starting off on the right foot!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Been keeping an eye on the Humana site for a Tricare referral for me to see a podiatrist for some issues with my left foot. Imagine my surprise when I found a referral yesterday, but not for a podiatrist, rather a <u>general surgeon</u>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">Called Humana this morning, saying this must be a mistake. Person I spoke with said Tyndall clinic put in the referral because I had gall stones (which was news to me). I had some tests run several weeks ago. Called last Thursday, left a message trying to get results, and have YET to hear back from my provider (it's now Wednesday). Heck of a way to find out I need to have my gall bladder removed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">I've now got the name and direct phone number of who was suppose to call me. Gonna be a fun day dealing with the clinic.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">And oh by the way, no referral in the system for a podiatrist.</span>Al Eaklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03320658772833170228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1795561813638724426.post-44804356631565558582011-07-11T16:02:00.000-07:002011-07-11T16:02:10.936-07:00Out with the dogs<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just back from Reno and Coco taking me for a walk. It's great lving in a dog-friendly neighborhood. Reno and Coco have lots of buds they like to say hi to when we're out. Funny thing, most neighbors only know each other by their dogs names!</span>Al Eaklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03320658772833170228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1795561813638724426.post-60857108296989840712011-07-11T06:52:00.000-07:002011-07-11T06:52:11.467-07:00Skin cancer<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I really appreciate all the kind thoughts and well-wishes from my friends during my recent minor surgery for a form of skin cancer. Mine is known as a </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and is the second most common type of skin cancer. It occurs more often in men than in women at a 2:1 ratio. The incidence increases with age and also increases with decreasing latitudes such as the southern US. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">SCC arises in the outer layer of the skin. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The only way to diagnose SCC is to biopsy suspicious looking lesions. That's what the doctor did with me. He did what is called a shave biopsy. Area was numbed and the lesion on my right temple was shaved off with a flexible razor. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When it came back positive and I was scheduled for the surgery in his office he made a simple </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">excision of the skin cancer including a margin of normal skin.That was to insure all of the cancer was removed. I had 5 stitches and will have a small scar (barely visible) on my right temple.</span></div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's some tips to help preventing you from developing SCC and going thru the time that I did. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Avoid UVB radiation from sun exposure - avoid midday sun, use protective clothing, and use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If something looks suspicious on your face, arms or hands, get it checked right away. I was on a 6-month visit schedule with the dermatologist. My SCC cropped up quickly between visits. I now have 4-month follow-ups.</span>Al Eaklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03320658772833170228noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1795561813638724426.post-40745875388713437962011-07-11T05:59:00.000-07:002011-07-11T05:59:16.115-07:00New blogI've decided to take a stab at blogging and see where this goes.<br />
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Busy this week working on the newsletter I put together for the Thunderbirds Alumni Association (TBAA). Enjoy doing it as it gives me an opportunity to continue doing something I've done most of my adult working life.<br />
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Also co-chairing this year's TBAA November reunion in Las Vegas. Lots of details to sort out to make it a successful event (wearing my airshow coordinator hat i nthe process). Looking forward to seeing many former teammates and friends from my Thunderbird days in Las Vegas.<br />
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Who said retirement is boring? Seems I have more on my plate now than I did when I was working full-time.Al Eaklehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03320658772833170228noreply@blogger.com0Panama City, FL, USA30.1588129 -85.66020579999997230.085273400000002 -85.79820829999997 30.2323524 -85.522203299999973