I swear there's crack in the Vorkosigan books. For one thing, people keep stealing them from the the New York public library (apparently).

And it's possible I'm getting sleepy.

Curse of Chalion is what I'm reading. But I'm nowhere in it yet -- the blurb hasn't started to happen yet.

It's a bit slow, which is what keeps me from rating it as highly as Paladin.

The Vorkosigan books are way more addicting than the Chalion ones. Because it's Miles.

Oh, and I saw Kronos Quartet! And my friend! And they were great! And now I have to wash all the makeup off my face and go to bed!

OMG, the Vorkosigan books. I'm in thrall. I read the Cordelia books first, then I went out and bought them ALL. Been reading them slowly, savoring, sort of. I'm near the end of "Brothers in Arms" and I hear the next two books will make me squeal like a little girl and call momma. I can't wait.

Like how common is it? What, precisely, is it? And how is it treated?

Hmm. Systemic candidiasis is sort of mish-mash of a bunch of different things. Candida is a very common yeast (a lot of healthy people carry them in their skin and gastrointestinal tract), and folks with intact immune system who get infected with them usually get the topical variety--vaginal yeast infection, diaper rash, oral thrush, etc. Systemic candida infection refers to the condition in which you get the fungus in *deep*, like into the bloodstream or organs (e.g. liver and spleen, eye, brain, heart, kidneys, etc.) They usually happen to people whose innate immune system is compromised, either through mechanical breach of mucosal barriers (from bowel surgery, intravenous lines) or through disease or medications (AIDS, cancer, transplant, immunosuppressive medications). Blood stream infection and peritonitis are probably the most common, but it can essentially happen in any organ, or in multiple different organs, in which case it is called "disseminated" candida infection. Since it mostly happen to sick folks with underlying medical conditions, the systemic variety is not very common in your average population. But in the hospitalized, chronically sick individuals? It's not so rare either.

The treatment depends on where it is and what kind of candida it is. If it's a blood infection associated with an intravenous catheter, then you pull the catheter and give the patient an antifungal medication for a couple of weeks. If it's gone to the organs, the required treatment is longer--more like 4-6 weeks and plus. Some species of candida nowadays have also become quite resistant to common antifungal medications, but there have been several new-fangled antifungals that came out in the market in the last couple of years, so there are usually some treatment options.

Hope that answered some of the questions. Let me know if you need more info.

Does Kronos still put spandex socks over their chairs?

Um, I didn't notice any socks.

Kat, I have no idea what I did with Kite Runner. I will buy you a replacement.

Please. No. I'm just moving books out of the house. I'm up to 8 boxes so far, not including curriculum which is what I'm sorting through tomorrow. So, it's not necessary in the least.

Except, you should really read Kite Runner. I think you'd like it.

Curse of Chalion is what I'm reading. But I'm nowhere in it yet -- the blurb hasn't started to happen yet.

I liked it alot. I'm really enjoying the Robin Hobb books that Kristin recommended right now (not, as we type, but like, today).

Wow, I'm having trouble typing (but not in editing) as I may be substantially fucked up from being out drinking at a really good beer place (I'm hosed on trappist monk beer, that seems wrong somehow) with one of my oldest pals.

Is LJ up? I should go look.

Is LJ up? I should go look.

depends on what cluster you are on.

Okay, I should not be up. Am tired.