Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Reviving Medieval Medicine

We have Western medicine, Eastern medicine, Holistic medicine, New Age medicine.  But I intend to be the poster child for the revival of Medieval medicine...namely blood letting (with or without leeches)

A little background.

About a year and half ago I went for my annual physical.  My doctor was upset that a particular marker, Ferritin (iron in you blood) was too high.  Evidently that can cause organ damage over time.  So he said he wanted me to see a hematologist.  So I make the appoint with said specialist.  We go over all kinds of potential causes and he can't find anything...except one...consumption of alcohol.

Well I've cut back my drinking substantially ever since I sent on the calorie counting diet years ago.  Nonetheless he has me to go on an alcohol fast.  I did this (it sucked).  And sure as shooting the Ferritin number dropped.  So the hematologist is all over me to cut my drinking way back.  I asked him how much time it was going to take off my lifespan.  I decide I'd rather enjoy myself than just add more years.  I don't think he liked my answer.

As I'm walking out of his office, he just happens to say in passing, "you know you could just donate blood.  When people have this problem worse than you, that's what we do.  Draw off some of their blood."  I think about this.  Well if I can give an organ I can certainly give blood.

A few months ago I did just that.  I went and had another Ferritin blood test.  The level had dropped in half! Let the alcohol flow :)

So if you're feeling a little under the weather just remember.  de-I Sandia Bloodletting is here to help you.

4 comments:

Renee Michelle Goertzen said...

What a great solution! You can help people and keep drinking! It doesn't get much better than that.

Agent W said...

I agree with Renee Michelle !

alexis said...

Ah!!! I am so glad to hear the trick worked. I'll drink to that.

terri said...

Well it seems like donating blood was the EASY answer. Why was it the last resort answer? Sometimes I don't understand doctors.

Even if it wasn't the answer, I think I might have gone the same way you did with the attitude of enjoying whatever time remains rather than giving up something enjoyable for the benefit of just a few more years.