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By Aileen McCabe-Maucher, BSN, MSW, LSW He sits in a tattered blue reclining chair, his eyes shining with mischief and exhaustion. His day began promptly at five thirty this morning, just as it has every other morning for the past fifty-eight years. From the moment his feet hit the floor they are in perpetual motion, each step dedicated to helping others. Selflessly, he devotes the majority of his day to assisting other people with their activities of daily living. No small feat for a survivor of a tragic childhood, four brain tumors, and a tour in Vietnam. Although he conceals it well, some days it is difficult for him to get out of bed.
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Nasopharyngeal radium irradiation, (NRI) was widely used from 1940 through 1970 to treat ear dysfunctions in children and military personnel. Use of NRI was stopped when concern arose about possible adverse effects, including cancer.
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Elaine learned she had a tumor deep within her brain. After recovering from brain surgery, Elaine started getting lost on short trips to the grocery store--the same store she'd been driving to for years. Then she began having trouble with numbers, such as balancing her checkbook. After returning to work, she had trouble focusing on complex tasks. Often she could not remember conversations with coworkers. These problems continued after Elaine switched to an easier position. She eventually quit working altogether.
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