Well …. I am back in San Jose and am going to the Clinica Biblica Hospital in the morning to line up my treatments.  Will try for a phlebotomy (blood letting) for latter in the week. My last one in Calgary was on Wednesday and I don’t want to get much under a week apart. I feel pretty good ……much better than a few days ago. I’m a little tired but that is to be expected.

San Jose seems to be a little quiet compared to when I was down here before. I think school is out for a couple of weeks and it is the weekend. There doesn’t seem to be as many Gringos around either. I guess it is off season.

I will post again when I find out more about my treatments.

Time for a little background.

                I have been diagnosed with  hemochromatosis.  Hereditary hemochromatosis is a genetic, metabolic disorder that results in iron overload; the body absorbs and retains too much dietary iron. It is a primary disorder of iron metabolism that can affect many organ systems including the liver, pancreas, heart, endocrine glands and joints. It is potentially fatal, but easily treated if diagnosed early, before the excess iron causes irreversible damage.

·         Treatment for hemochromatosis involves management of complications, screening for liver cancer, avoidance of supplemental iron and appropriate vaccinations for hepatitis A and B; however, an aggressive de-ironing protocol is most important. Excess iron is removed by a procedure known as phlebotomy, which is the drawing off of a unit of blood, using the same technique as a blood donation, but with a much higher frequency.