Friday, April 7, 2006
Well, I'm going to have to break down and buy a stand-alone copy of Excel...
...I can see that right now, if I'm going to continue working up comparisons of her stats. I tried in three different spreadsheet software systems, Open Office (Windows XP), Microsoft Works (Windows XP) and Appleworks (Mac OSX Tiger), all of which had Auto Chart Functions and only Auto Chart Functions, and none of them was capable of producing the graph I wanted and calculating and inserting assumed data based on the nature of one's parameters (which one is able to set manually). I tried in the three companion database programs, as well. None of them is even close to being as manipulative as Excel. Not that I have been campaigning against Excel. I've just never owned it. I've used it at work(s).
Long story short, I had to draw up the graph by hand and do calculations separately. I didn't bother to enhance the graphic by superimposing units of liquid measurement and time so that a more accurate smooth time would be insinuated. I had to confine data to what could be read on one landscaped 8.5" x 11" sheet of paper (for faxing). As well, since I had to create the graph in a low level graphic environment (finally decided on Appleworks Draw), save it as PICT, then convert if from PICT to JPG in order to keep distortion at a minimum. There is minor distortion, as it is. You wouldn't notice it, though, if you weren't looking for it.
So, the announcement is that I just uploaded Mom's Anemia Profile: 7/27/00 - 3/24/06.
I'm looking at it as I write. Although it's crude it does the trick. I wasn't sure what to expect when I got the idea. I don't think anything would have surprised me and this doesn't. I remember all the peaks, all the canyons and all the intervening plateaus. I just didn't think the up and down dips would be quite as obvious. You have to understand, though, that the "dates" section is not organized in standard months but rather by the dates of her blood draws, which are not completely orderly. Patterns, though, do emerge:
Anyway, have at the graph. Sorry for it's primitivity. I'm one copy of Excel from doing what I wanted to do. I just couldn't wait.
Later.
Long story short, I had to draw up the graph by hand and do calculations separately. I didn't bother to enhance the graphic by superimposing units of liquid measurement and time so that a more accurate smooth time would be insinuated. I had to confine data to what could be read on one landscaped 8.5" x 11" sheet of paper (for faxing). As well, since I had to create the graph in a low level graphic environment (finally decided on Appleworks Draw), save it as PICT, then convert if from PICT to JPG in order to keep distortion at a minimum. There is minor distortion, as it is. You wouldn't notice it, though, if you weren't looking for it.
So, the announcement is that I just uploaded Mom's Anemia Profile: 7/27/00 - 3/24/06.
I'm looking at it as I write. Although it's crude it does the trick. I wasn't sure what to expect when I got the idea. I don't think anything would have surprised me and this doesn't. I remember all the peaks, all the canyons and all the intervening plateaus. I just didn't think the up and down dips would be quite as obvious. You have to understand, though, that the "dates" section is not organized in standard months but rather by the dates of her blood draws, which are not completely orderly. Patterns, though, do emerge:
- she spends most of her time in the middle white range, approximately 9.3 - 11.3. Even more specific, a lot of time in the 10s.
- She spends a not inconsiderable amount of time in the 9s.
- If I had represented time more accurately, the jags would smooth out considerably. However, jumps and dips do occur.
- I can very easily correlate certain periods of time with the amount of iron supplementation she was receiving at any one time. In the early years of doctors attempting to diagnose her anemia, when she left a particular anemic state they would advise me to take her off the iron. As well, through much of the valleys I was not using the superior iron I've been using since July of 2004. As it turns out, since July of 2004 she has remained in the white zone, despite the obvious variation.
- I think the reason why I calculated three averages is obvious. Even so, her average has dropped. She never reaches Normal Range any more. She appears to be exiting the time when aggressive iron supplementation "works well". It still works. That's a good sign.
Anyway, have at the graph. Sorry for it's primitivity. I'm one copy of Excel from doing what I wanted to do. I just couldn't wait.
Later.
