Diane Begley, MD

09/21/2025

When I was an intern, the HiB (Haemophilus influenza B) vaccine was new and only approved for children 15 months or more. I had the terrible privilege of seeing the devastating effects of that illness in normal babies. It might start as an ear infection or pneumonia, but for some it would cause cerebral abscesses. If the child survived, the affected areas of the brain were simply missing. The locations were random-- uncorrectable deafness, blindness, stroke-like symptoms, or the ability to learn or create memories lost in previously normal children.

That vaccine is now given at 2, 4, 6 and 15 months. The first shot is over 80% effective, the series is over 99%. The disease is now practically unheard of, but the bacteria continues to exist.

Haemophilus influenzae (formerly called Pfeiffer's bacillus or Bacillus influenzae) is a Gram-negative, non-motile, coccobacillary, facultatively anaerobic, capnophilic pathogenic bacterium of the family Pasteurellaceae. The bacteria are mesophilic and grow best at temperatures between 35 and 37 °C...

09/11/2025

DESIDERATA

Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and ignorant, they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.

Keep interested in your own career, however humble, it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in face of sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery & broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy.

My grandmother had this framed. I have it where I see it every day.
Written in 1927 by Hoosier Max Erhmann (in spite of being an attorney, he did not copyright it.)

08/22/2025

We have known that even mild hearing loss increases the risk of dementia. Now there is evidence that treating hearing loss reduces the risk!
Get checked, get treated!

08/11/2025

Statistics and a bit of a solution.
Prior to Obamacare's expansion of Medicaid, it was estimated that 100 people in the USA would die each day due to lack of health insurance.

I realize some might think that doesn't happen, but a friend died last year of this. Documented on Facebook as symptoms were described, friends encouraged the person to go to the hospital but the response was, "I can't, I don't have health insurance." A friend went to check on the person and found that beautiful human dead.

Death from fear of medical debt.

Americans use less care than people in Europe and Canada despite spending far more per capita than them, all while also living shorter, less healthy lives.

07/17/2025

Sometimes our best still falls short.

05/29/2025

11 science-based ways to reduce your cancer risk.

About 40 percent of cancer cases are considered preventable. Try these lifestyle changes to stay healthy.

05/18/2025

"Mutual abuse" is a pattern of the one in control and manipulating and other responding in survival mode. It is not a defense, it is used as an excuse.

Diddy, Cassie, & the anatomy of "mutual abuse" -

It's Been A Minute on NPR One | 16:04

04/24/2025

I recommend getting your immunization records from the states in which you have lived. The federal government helped fund registries in the .gov websites.

As a provider, I look at my state's registry daily. When people got their vaccines from another state, I ask them to get theirs from the .gov website (where almost all vaccinators submit the information so you don't have to track it down.) They submit it to me through the medical record messaging app.

RFK, Jr has announced he is stopping federal funding of this program. I recently found out Iowa has turned off their public access of these vital records. I fear others may have or will follow. Download your copy, save it. You may benefit from sending a copy to your current provider, especially if you live in another state now.

If your vaccines are on paper records, previous doctors do not have to hold them for your lifetime. Now the states may not either.

Indiana's is called CHIRP. It is used by schools also. On Indiana.gov
Minnesota's is called MIIC and is on MN.gov

A State that Works. IN.gov is the official website of the State of Indiana and your place to find information, services, news and events related to Indiana government.

04/19/2025

She made a difference.

Lily Tomlin famously walked off The Dick Cavett Show after fellow guest Chad Everett made a sexist remark—listing his wife among the animals he “owned” on his farm.

“I have three horses, three dogs… and a wife,” Everett said.
When Cavett questioned the order, Everett doubled down: “She’s the most beautiful animal I own.”

Tomlin stood up, stunned. “You own?” she repeated, before walking across the stage, saying, “I have to leave.”

What followed was pure silence, and some very uncomfortable energy.

Tomlin later reflected, “It was a perfectly pure act… I felt angels walked me off.”

A moment of feminist TV history that still hits.

https://happymag.tv/lily-tomlin-walks-out/

03/09/2025

Influenza related severe necrotizing encephalitis: inflammation of the brain that cause tissue tissue preceded or along with an influenza illness.

RFK, Jr has not permitted a meeting regarding the inflenza vaccines.
https://www.fda.gov/vaccines-blood-biologics/lot-release/fda-plans-selecting-influenza-virus-strains-vaccine-composition-2025-2026-us-influenza-season

The data were released in the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. https://www.pharmacytimes.com/view/cdc-releases-reports-of-encephalopathy-in-children-with-influenza-associated-mortality

The data were released in the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

03/08/2025

David Bowie has always been on of my favorites. He was unabashedly q***r.

Provided to YouTube by Universal Music GroupChanges · Butterfly Boucher · David BowieShrek 2℗ 2004 A&M RecordsReleased on: 2004-05-19Producer: Brad JonesProd...

01/21/2025

According to the Health Department 2 out of 5 homes in Minnesota have elevated radon levels. It is estimated to cause 21,000 preventable lung cancer deaths a year.

When I moved into my home that has radon mitigation, I was told to check it every 2 years. It can be done free and easy!

In Partnership With: Call the Lab Request a FREE Radon Test Kit In partnership with RAdata Analytical Lab and the American Lung Association, Protect Environmental is offering FREE radon test kits to homeowners across the U.S. Fill out our form and RAdata Analytical Lab will mail you your radon kit a...