AlaskaAngel - I like your Q, and am confused about the A's...
Hi,
I still think the CORRELATION of inflammatory & immunity characteristics linked with loneliness doesn't indicate whether they co-exist, or one follows the other.
For example, an alternative hypothesis could be that people with inflammatory tendencies might have more pain, and shun social contact more due to experiencing unpredictable pain that is socially-inhibiting. Similarly, someone whose immune system is compromised might, biologically, be more prone to stay away from closeness with other people, due to the risk of infection (whether the risk is conscious or more of a biological "fight or flight" reflex to having high vulnerability to infection/ disease.
Just some thoughts. If anyone can boil down the other articles that were cited, and explain how causality is determined by them, I'd appreciate the info!
(((hugs)))
Sandy in Silicon Valley
__________________
1992 - age 44/ ER-/PR+ Stage II dx - mastectomy, CAF x 6 cycles; Tamoxifen
1997 - BRCA1 mutation dx'd
1998 - ovaries removed
1999 - off Tamoxifen, on Arimidex
2003 - dx'd Stage IV - lymph nodes & lungs. ER-/PR-/HER2neu+++.
Tx: Herceptin & Taxotere (6 cycles).
2005 - 2.9cm x 3.6cm brain tumor. Craniotomy, CyberKnife. 9 mo. staph aureus infection at incision site - 2nd craniotomy. Two small brain mets CyberKnife'd.
2006 - revisit Xeloda - dosage lowered to 2500mg/day, 5 cycles.
2007 - "spot" dx'd on qtrly brain MRI - same location as CyberKnife 7/05. > by 2-4mm per quarter - - radiation injury or re-growing cancer? Tykerb added to Herceptin - July, still "watching & waiting". Otherwise, fully functional...
"The majority of people are not only afraid of holding a wrong opinion, they are afraid of holding an opinion alone." Kierkegaard
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