I am behind!  Had the flu this week--yes the whole kit and kaboodle. Yuk.   Did my long training today, Monday, so am now more or less caught up with the training.   We went to Fairmont Park again today.  Fairmont is one of Philly's jewels, among so many.   I've heard it described as the largest park in the nation, in the world.  I don't know the real stats but it is BIG.   Central Park in Manhatten is about 875 acres.   Fairmont Park is well over 9000 acres.  It's origins go back to late 1700's like everything else around here.  It is well known for the sculling on the Schuylkill River through private boat houses,  collegiate clubs ( centered around Univ of PA), and the local prep schools.  Scenes of the boat houses lit at night must be one of the most photographed venues in all of Philly. 

A lot has been written about health care reform.   I'll leave the politics of that to other forums but I'd like to share the family financial implications of a leukemia diagnosis with you.   I received this from the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.   While their mission isn't to provide direct financial aid for treatments,   developing more effective treatments with less complications is certainly part of the mission----leading in part to less financial burden on the impacted families.

$15-$20 k:  Average out of pocket costs to a family when the treatment is standard,  the family has good insurance, and there are no complications.

$100 k ++:  Average cost to the family with extensive chemo and incomplete health insurance coverage.

Add another $80 k:   If bone marrow transplant is involved too.  

The complications from treatments can be as difficult and deadly as the disease itself.   Blake LaForce, who I've mentioned here, was beating his leukemia,  had survived the bone marrow transplant, but died from complications that take advantage of a ravaged body.

Those cold numbers are my factoids for the week...

Honored heros:

My father, Richard Kline, Rhonda Bobo, Blake LaForce, cousin Eric's daughter Natalie, Riley Mika, daughter-in-law Julie's cousin, and several members of Jan Dobbs Barton's family.

Something to be thankful for:   going to son Eric's house to celebrate Ty's 3rd birthday.  Happy Birthday little Ty-man!