C DIFF SUFFERER SPEAKS OUT
Kudos to Evan Dyer for the work on C difficile unmasked (page 1, Vol 2 No 17, October 15 2005). This is a very timely article indeed, well written and cogent. As a sufferer of C diff now on day 262 I found it alarming that if "restrictions" or "filters" were placed on those deigned to receive "special care" (read isolation or extra-vigilant hospital antibiotic care) that I would still slip through the nets. At the time of elective surgery I was nowhere near 65 (decades younger), was in perfect health and never on quinolones, had no reaction to antibiotics, and diarrhea didn't commence until after hospital release. I had never heard of C diff, never been warned of C diff, when I checked in the hospital was never asked if I had it. In fact, the public relations people had no record of me being a C diff sufferer even after being diagnosed, despite their own infectious disease specialist treating me! This is alarming. Also in that statistics are only gathered for people already in hospital and that there is no communication between statistic takers, infectious disease specialists, and public communicators/spin doctors. This suggests to me that the stats are a lot WORSE than reported.

All this stems from Quebec's withdrawal of funding to hospitals 15 years ago. It will take another 15 to recover. As hospitals don't give out personal information it's nigh on impossible to start a self-help group. We're left alone as producers of toxins for some poor sod's petri dish. At least someone out there is working on it, now that it has become economically viable. And reputable journalists are writing more coherent and informative reposts.

JL Cook, PhD , Montreal, QC

TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE
I was very pleased to have read the article "Rushing on the gridiron: Dr Dave Fleiszer football legend" (page 1, Vol 2, No 20, November 30, 2005). I remember both Dr Fleiszer and his wife as devoted teachers at McGill med school, where I graduated almost 20 years ago. Dr Fleiszer wasn't only intelligent and professional; he was also kind, humble and approachable. With the experience I have now at 45-years-old, I must say that he was breaking the stereotypes that I may have had against both football players and male surgeons then and now. Dr Fleiszer's work has and will require a huge amount of physical, mental and spiritual stamina. I sure hope he takes good care of himself!

One final note, I haven't watch-ed a football game since 1978. On Sunday November 27, I'll make a point to assemble the family to watch No 34 of the Eskimos closely. Keep up the good work.

Dr Marie-Lyne Bourassa, Ottawa, ON