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I definately won't be able to make it this year, my husband is leaving for DG that month, and I want to spend the final two weeks i have with him as much as possible with the whole family. If it is in Minneapolis, or Seattle next year, I will definately be there, as I won't have to pay for lodging. Seattle, I live like 80 miles from, and minneapolis, I have lots of family there. Enjoy it, and I will be thinking of you!
 
AL's comment

AL's comment

Hi AL,

I'm glad you are going to be at the reunion. Could you bring some information on the validity & reliability of the finger stick system vs. venipuncture. Have there been studies that have addressed this issue. I'm still getting venipunctures; however, I would like to possibly switch to a finger stick system. Also, I would like to know if there are any studies that test the safety of Warfarin in a responsible patient population (i.e. folks who monitor 1-2x's per month and keep their levels in the therapeutic range).

Thanks,

Greg
 
Hi Al-

I'd be interested in that info also. For some reason Joe's doctor always has him do a needle draw at the lab, even though the doc has a ProTime type unit in the office. Others have asked why. His doc is excellent and very careful, so I know there's a darned good reason why.
 
I've decided that since my insurance denied payment of my ProTime and supplies, it gives me the the option to do both home and Lab testing.

While I love the security and freedom of tesing often at home, and do trust my machine, I will still go to the Lab on a sporatic basis if I notice any significant drop or rise in my INR. Since I work at the hospital it is very convenient for me and my Lab Tech uses the method that 'saves my veins'...not sure exactly..but he said he doesn't use the'pump method' ? and no 'butterfly'.

I'm sure it is not a 'necessary' thing to do both..but for me 'what the heck'...why not?? In that regard I feel less upset about my insurance not covering my ProTime. They'll still have to pay for Lab tests (altho, not as frequent)...After all...We pay plenty for our policies!!

Zipper
 
PROTIME

PROTIME

HI ZIPPER....WE HAVE NOW ENTERED THE WORLD OF THE INSURANCE MAZE FOR THE PROTIME KIT.....LUCKILY MY HUSBAND'S INSURANCE TOLD HIM THEY WOULD NOT NEED A FORMAL REVIEW, SO WE'RE JUST WAITING TO SEE HOW MUCH THEY WILL PAY. AFTER THAT WE HAVE TO GO TO MY INSURANCE AND SEE WHAT THEY WILL PAY AND THEN I GUESS WE'LL PAY THE DIFFERENCE. WE'RE BOTH ANXIOUSLY AWAITING GETTING THIS MACHINE, ALTHOUGH OUR CARDIO CHECKS THE COUMADIN EVERY 2 WEEKS WITH JUST THE FINGERSTICK METHOD FROM COAGUCHECK. I THINK THE FINGERSTICK METHOD IS THE ONLY WAY TO GO AND COULDN'T EVEN IMAGINE IT WHEN OUR CARDIO TECH TOLD US THAT VERY FEW DRS. OFFICES HAVE THE COAGUCHECK, MOST SEND OUT TO LABS FOR THE RESULTS.

ANOTHER THING SHE TOLD US IS THAT COAGUCHECK WILL GIVE DRS. THE MACHINE, THEY JUST HAVE TO PURCHASE THE SUPPLIES FROM COAGUCHECK....MAYBE EVERYONE SHOULD SUGGEST THAT TO THEIR DRS TO GET THE MACHINE FOR FREE AND THEN BUY THE SUPPLIES FROM COAGUCHECK. I GUESS IT DEPENDS ON HOW MANY STICKS THEY DO A DAY FOR COUMADIN. I KNOW HERE IN THE NORTHEAST, OUR CARDIO HAS 3 TECHS THAT BASICALLY DO PTINR LEVELS AND THAT'S ABOUT IT.

CAN'T WAIT TO GET THE MACHINE......EVELYN AND TYCE
 
The reason that very few doctors have the CoaguChek machine and some that do have it is the same answer as for many other things -- money. Medicare and many insurance companies pay less than the cost of the strip. Therefore, the doctors lose money doing fingersticks. So they shift the cost to the lab. That is the very good reason. Since they do not do it, they do not trust it because they invest no time in learning to trust it. I've done over 15,000 CoaguChek tests and will go head-to head with any doctor or lab for any diagnosis they want and I'll bet that my rate of hospitalizations for complications is lower than theirs.

The part about getting a free machine for purchasing the supplies is true. I just bought two of the deals and we put two new CoaguChek-S machines into service in July.

We also set up comparability tests. We had the lab tech come down and we got permission from 10 people to draw blood from their arm instead of a fingerstick. She the injected the blood into the blue top container for the lab to test and then put 1 drop of blood on a strip in the old Coagu-Chek, then the two new CoaguChek-Ss. The results varied slightly, but there was no tester that was consistently off in the same direction. What we found was that we would have made the same decision as to what to do with the warfarin no matter which test method was used.

The PT/INR is not a very accurate test to start. People who think that the lab is the gold standard are showing a lack of understanding about the inherent nature of the test.

Look at what happened at St. Agnes Hospital in Philadelphia last year. There were over 900 wrong tests done on the hospital lab machine because somebody forgot to key in the new batch sensitivity. They killed 4 or 5 people. I'll bet that in the entire history of the CoaguChek 4 people have not died because of innacuracy of the test.

I say it all comes down to how much they get paid.
 
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Hi Al,

Thanks for the info...it's always money, isn't it!!!! As you may have noted in my post some time ago, I did a similar test comparison (3-way) with my Lab and my ProTime unit when I 1st received it and found, as you said...VERY close results.

I strongly believe frequent testing (weekly), is the only wise thing for us to do. Without home testing, most insurance companies would balk at that unless ones INR was jumping all over the place. I'd like to see QAS give some facts and figures, as you have for Coagucheck, to boost confidence in the ProTime Unit. I believe they are probably very comparable, but we all want to be confident with our chosen method, especially when new at it.

Your input is so helpful and your expertise apparent. THANKS!

Zipper *~*
 
Oh Al, I forgot to mention..I sure would be interested in any new info on Exanta also, as it comes up. For those that don't make the reunion and miss your talk, it would be great to know if/when it is added to your site. I've gotten so much from your site thus far....but I know there's more to come....grin.

Zipper
 
Thanks and thank you for purchasing my book, too. It may turn out to be something that I could put on the website.

The Travel Channel had a story about haunted places and included the Moss Beach Distillery -- your part-time job?????

I guess you could take that wrong, but please don't!!!
 
Hi Al,

LOL! "The Blue Lady" at the 'Still' (Moss Beach Distillery) draws quite a crowd. It's a very old and romantic story coming out of the 'bootleg' days of yore. The restaurant sits on the bluffs not 5 minutes from my house. It's very accomodating with the outside terrace that provides heat and warm blankets while enjoying the magnificance of the ocean. This coastside has a fascinating history. I'm a native of San Francisco and ya can't get me away from the coast for long!!!! The famous "Mavericks" surfing spot is also within 5 minutes of my home and work. Of course, both my sons are surfers starting a age 11 and have surfed most of the world best known waves.

My son actually worked there, at the 'Still', part time during his high school years. He never saw 'The Blue Lady', tho. My part-time job is not as interesing tho...LOL..maybe I'll return to haunt the local hospital ER someday!!! GRIN!

Al, your book is great..My Mom's friends love to call and ask me questions regarding interaction of meds and other info contained in the book. I'm trying to get them to buy it...but so far they'd rather call me...HaHa.

Take care...glad you saw some of my area history!

Zipper *~*
 
Lady Luck Hotel and Casino $$

Lady Luck Hotel and Casino $$

I called Hotels.com and booked at the Lady Luck. They still have 5 rooms that they (hotels.com) own. October 9th and 10th are 40.00 and 11th and 12th are 66.00. The 800 # is (800) 308-4873.

Just thought someone might like this info. Good luck............
 
We visited the Lady Luck

We visited the Lady Luck

Michelle and I and the family are in Mesquite, NV right now and on the way through Vegas, we stopped at the Lady Luck. It will be fine for lodginf and gaming and such. It is also right next to Fremont Street which looked very interesting. They don't have any meeting rooms though, so we are going to have to come up with something else. I think we should just find somewhere affordable to eat where we can get 3 seats or so.

Thoughts?
 
E. Tower, W. Tower or Garden

E. Tower, W. Tower or Garden

Dang your hair grows fast, Hank. :eek: lol

Where is everyone staying?? In the East Tower, West Tower or Garden Rooms??
 
Hi Rain,

Are you coming? We reserved a tower room. Have no idea if it is East or West. Did it over the Internet, and got it for $35.00 per night for Thurs. & Sun. Fri & Sat. $69.00 per night.
Not bad I thought.
Hope they have a good breakfast every morning.
We will be going back on Monday.

Is everyone bringing casual clothes? Maybe something more dressy for dinners?
I was planning on bringing easy clothes, and some good tennis shoes for walking.
The temperatures will be in the 80's so nice and warm, so no need for warm clothes. Evenings might get a bit more chilly though.

Christina
AVR's 8/7/00 & 8/18/00
TMC, Tucson. AZ
Dr. Gulshan Sethi
Mechanical
 
My evening dress

My evening dress

Hey Christina,

I was thinking about my leather mini skirt for evening wear and a nice halter? What do you think?
 
Well, guys, will be there afterall! And thankfully so, I see we will be all dolled up in black mini's.;) Will be a hoot as usual!

Greatly looking forward to seeing you all and meeting those of you I have yet to have the pleasure!

Anyone hear from Ben and Cindy Smith, Bob Franklin or Mr. Gleason? We may need to get out some reminders. I emailed Bob G.
 
Hey guys, my mom and Stepdad are in Vegas right now...on their honeymoon. They got married on Friday night...FINALLY! I will tell you what they say when they return. I don't think I will bug them on their "special time alone":D I won't be at this reunion, but if you ever have one in Seattle, I will not miss that one! I am hearing rumors that next year might be in Minneapolis. Good choice, with St Jude there and all. I would come to that one too! Take it easy, and enjoy yourselves this year!Be safe, and win some money!YEAH
 
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