Sunday, March 20, 2011

Spring

The First Day of Spring this year (2011) is Sunday, March 20th. Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man proclaims once again that the first day of each season is Yard Safety Awareness Day. Spring is in the air, and yard safety is near. Actually, safety never takes a day off. Everyday is yard safety day. Nonetheless, I want to have a celebration periodically to promote a community effort. Therefore, I strive to create yard safety awareness. I do not want anybody to get hurt or die. Please buy and wear a Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man T-shirt to advance yard safety awareness. Think before you cut. It hurts. (tm)

Richard T. Mudrinich
Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man
http://www.rescuerick.com

Friday, March 18, 2011

National Colon Cancer Awareness Month

Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man promotes colorectal cancer awareness. I had a colonoscopy last year.

March is National Colon Cancer Awareness Month. Colorectal (colon cancer) is the 2nd leading cause of cancer death in men and women. But what many people don't know is that it's largely preventable. You can significantly reduce your risk with regular screening, and by watching your weight and being physically active. (Source: American Cancer Society http://www.cancer.org)

Colorectal cancer is cancer that starts in either the colon or the rectum. Not counting skin cancers, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer found in men and women in this country. Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man promotes colon health and colorectal cancer awareness. I have pasted several excerpts from the American Cancer Society website on Colorectal Cancer. Please visit the American Cancer Society website (http://www.cancer.org) for more detailed information.

The American Cancer Society and several other medical organizations recommend earlier testing for people with increased colorectal cancer risk. These recommendations differ from those for people at average risk. Even though medical professionals do not know the exact cause of most colorectal cancers, it is possible to prevent many colorectal cancers. For more information, talk with your doctor.

Colorectal Screening

Regular colorectal cancer screening or testing is one of the most powerful weapons for preventing colorectal cancer. Screening is the process of looking for cancer in people who have no symptoms of the disease.

Colonoscopy and sigmoidoscopy are screening exams for colorectal cancer (commonly referred to as "colon cancer"). But false information and a misplaced sense of modesty have scared some people away from these lifesaving tests. Since Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man had a colonoscopy, I will focus on the the colonoscopy screening exam. Once again, please refer to the American Cancer Society website (http://www.cancer.org) for comprehensive cancer information.

A colonoscopy is an exam that allows a doctor to closely look at the inside of the entire colon. The doctor is looking for polyps or signs of cancer. Polyps are small growths that over time can become cancer. The doctor uses a thin (about the thickness of a finger), flexible, hollow, lighted tube that has a tiny video camera. This tube is called a colonoscope. The colonoscope is gently eased inside the colon and sends pictures to a TV screen. Small amounts of air are puffed into the colon to keep it open and allow the doctor to see clearly.

The exam itself takes about 30 minutes. Patients are usually given medicine to help them relax and sleep during the procedure.

Your doctor decides how often you need this test, usually once every 10 years, depending on your personal risk for colon cancer. It's important for people to talk with their doctor to understand their risk for colon cancer, the guidelines they should follow for testing, and whether they need to start being tested at age 50 or earlier.

For the most part, patients are given medicine to sleep through the colonoscopy, so they won't feel anything. Air is pumped into the cleaned-out colon to keep it open so that doctors can get the best pictures. While it may cause slight discomfort, it should not hurt.

A colonoscopy is almost always done by a doctor, usually a gastroenterologist (a doctor whose specialty is the digestive tract) or a surgeon.

Colonoscopy is done in a private area; it may be a hospital outpatient department, a clinic, an ambulatory surgery center, or a doctor's office. The patient's privacy is a top concern.

The preparation for the colonoscopy makes you to go the bathroom a lot! The doctor will give you instructions. Read these carefully a few days ahead of time, since you may need to shop for special supplies and get laxatives from a pharmacy. If you are not sure about any of the instructions, call the doctor's office and go over them step by step with the nurse. Many people consider the bowel preparation (often called the "bowel prep") the most unpleasant part of the test. You follow a special diet the day before the exam and take very strong laxatives before the procedure. You may also need enemas to clean out the colon. The key to getting good pictures is to have the colon cleaned out.

Because colonoscopy is usually done with drugs that make you sleepy, people usually will miss a day of work. You'll need to stay close to a bathroom. You might want to schedule the exam for a Monday, so you can be at home the day before without taking that day off work.

Most people feel OK after a colonoscopy. They may feel a bit woozy from the drugs (anesthesia). They'll be watched and given fluids as they wake up. They may have some gas, which could cause mild discomfort. Because of the medicines given for the test, most facilities require that you bring someone to take you home.

If a small polyp is found, your doctor will probably remove it. Over time some polyps could become cancer. If your doctor sees a large polyp, a tumor, or anything else abnormal, a biopsy will be done. For the biopsy, a small piece of tissue is taken out through the colonoscope or sigmoidoscope. It is sent to a lab to be checked under a microscope for cancer or pre-cancer cells.

Colorectal cancer screening helps people stay well and save lives. Regular colorectal cancer testing is one of the most powerful weapons for preventing colorectal cancer. Removing polyps prevents colorectal cancer from ever starting. And cancers found in an early stage are more easily treated. Nine out of 10 people whose colon cancer is discovered early will be alive 5 years later. And many will live a normal life span.

But too often people don't get these tests. Then the cancer can grow and spread without being noticed, like a silent invader. In many cases, by the time people have any symptoms the cancer is very advanced and very hard to treat.

Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man is grateful for the talents of the medical professionals who performed his colonoscopy. Thank you!

Richard T. Mudrinich
Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man
http://www.rescuerick.com

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Limerick

Birth of Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man (Limerick)
By Richard Mudrinich

There once was a man
Who was a grass-cutting fan.
He cut-off his big toe
Screaming oh no!
And hence was born Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man.

Richard T. Mudrinich
Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man
http://www.rescuerick.com

Saint Patrick

Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man pays tribute to Saint Patrick. Saint Patrick provides great inspiration toward my yard safety awareness campaign. Indeed, grass is green. The green in the Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man color scheme (red, yellow, and green) represents my appreciation for nature and my faith in advancing yard safety awareness on behalf of God. I appreciate the many efforts and contributions of Saint Patrick. I share below a few excerpts about Saint Patrick - a great man who delivered divine works on behalf of God.

Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, was born, probably in Roman Britain, about AD 385, and was originally called Maewyn. At the age of 16, he was sold into slavery by a group of Irish marauders that raided his village. Having been a pagan before, he became closer to Christianity during his captivity. He escaped from slavery after six years and went to Gaul where he studied in the monastery under St. Germain, bishop of Auxerre for a period of twelve years. During his training he became aware that his calling was to convert the pagans to Christianity. He wished to return to Ireland and to convert the native pagans to Christianity, but his superiors instead appointed St. Palladius. However, two years later Palladius transferred to Scotland. Patrick, having adopted that Christian name earlier, was then appointed as second bishop to Ireland. Patrick was quite successful at winning converts which upset the Celtic Druids. Patrick was arrested several times, but escaped each time. He traveled throughout Ireland, establishing monasteries across the country. He also set up schools and churches which would aid him in his conversion of the Irish country to Christianity. His mission in Ireland lasted for thirty years. After that time, Patrick retired to County Down. He died on March 17 in AD 461. That day has been commemorated as St. Patrick's Day ever since.

Much Irish folklore surrounds St. Patrick's Day. Some of this lore includes the belief that Patrick raised people from the dead. He also is said to have given a sermon from a hilltop that drove all the snakes from Ireland, although paleontologists have pointed out that no snakes were ever native to Ireland. (In response, some scholars say the snake story was a metaphor for the conversion of the pagans.) Though originally a Catholic holy day, St. Patrick's Day has evolved into more of a secular holiday.

One traditional icon of the day is the shamrock. This stems from a more bona fide Irish tale that tells how Patrick used the three-leafed shamrock to explain the Trinity. He used it in his sermons to represent how the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit could all exist as separate elements of the same entity. His followers adopted the custom of wearing a shamrock on his feast day.

The St. Patrick's Day custom came to America in 1737, the first year St. Patrick's Day was publicly celebrated, in Boston, Massachusetts. Today, people celebrate the day with parades, wearing green, and drinking beer.

Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man emphasizes that if you drink alcohol beyond the legal driving limit, then do not drive drunk. Also, if you are not driving, Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man recommends that if you drink alcohol, then drink in moderation. Also, Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man suggests that you be good to your body temple and do not pollute the environment of other people around you. Keep St. Patrick's Day green - not red!

Richard T. Mudrinich
Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man
http://www.rescuerick.com

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Michael Eisner

A few years ago, I was visiting New York City. A highlight of my trip was meeting Michael Eisner on St. Patrick's Day while walking on the streets of Manhattan. I was still on crutches about six months after my lawn mower accident. I noticed him as he walked by me. Needless to say, I was compelled to present the Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man concept to Mr. Eisner for his consideration. I hobbled on my crutches over to him, and I asked, "Are you Michael Eisner?" He responded, "Yes I am!" I shared my story with him. I am very grateful for the opportunity to speak with Michael Eisner about my yard safety awareness campaign. He was very gracious to me.

It would be a great thrill to meet Michael Eisner again. I met him during a challenging time in his career and life. It was announced a few weeks prior that Mr. Eisner would be leaving the Walt Disney Company. I am glad to see that he has moved on to a new chapter of his life with another series of successful ventures.

Happy Saint Patrick's Day! It is a green day for green heroes, including Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man and the wonderful world of yard safety!

Richard T. Mudrinich
Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man
http://www.rescuerick.com

March Madness

It is March Madness season. March comes in like a lion. I am bringing the March Madness to you. GROWL. I think that Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man is like a Mad Scientist. GROWL. He should be mad because there is too much apathy toward yard safety. GROWL. I think Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man should attend several NCAA March Madness games to draw some attention to yard safety. GROWL. He could even push his toy lawnmower around and around (a 360) on the basketball court. GROWL. Basketball dribble. GROWL. Slam dunk for yard safety. GROWL. I think MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) should support Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man. GROWL. He advocates against the use of alcohol while operating power equipment in the yard. GROWL. I am really getting mad now. GROWL. GROWL. GROWL. Now, I am sad. GROWL. YSAD. GROWL. YARD SAFETY AWARENESS DAY. GROWL. Be mad and be sad. GROWL. March goes out like a lamb. GROWL. Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man wants to keep the little lamb white and alive. GROWL. Red lamb is no good. GROWL. White lamb is real good. GROWL. Baa Baa White Sheep!

Richard T. Mudrinich
Rescue Rick the Grass Cut Man
http://www.rescuerick.com