PET Scan and Eyjafjallajökull

Wow, another blessing from the Meads family this week! Judy and I went to Morgantown on Wednesday and had my first PET scan since the "suspect" lymph node was removed in February. Good News! The scan was clear and I am still in remission. The lymph node removed was inflammed and resulted as a false positive on the scan. This is just another of the many blessings we have had in our walk together along the marriage path.

I have been keeping up on the eruption of Iceland's Eyjafjallajökull volcano. Today we learn that airports in Europe are closed due to the smoke and ashes coming from the site of the eruption. Folks are urged to stay inside if the ash cloud starts to precipitate in their region. The plume of ash has climbed to 7 miles high into the atmosphere. Melting glacers have resulted in the evacuation of 8oo people.

The microscopic ash is potentially dangerous for people if it starts to "settle" on the earth because inhaled particles can reach the lungs and cause respiratory problems. Airplane engines are endangered by the ash cloud. Volcanic ash contains tiny particles of glass and pulverized rock that can damage engines and airframes.

A spokesman at Heathrow, Europe's busiest airport, said 840 out of 1,250 flights on Thursday were affected, disrupting about 180,000 passengers. More than 120,000 other passengers were affected at Gatwick, Stansted and Glasgow airports

If Iceland's active volcano gets even more active, Icelanders and air travelers won't be the only ones impacted. Gases from past large volcanoes have actually lowered Earth's temperatures, triggered lung ailments, caused acid rain and thinned our protective ozone layer.

The most dangerous gases released during an eruption are sulfur dioxide, carbon dioxide and hydrogen fluoride.

Keep informed because this volcano may impact our area.