MRI Results -- Unofficial

I got the films and CD today along with the report to take to my doctor. (One scan is posted on my Flickr Page for friend/family contacts only.)

I've read the report and it appears there is no major change in C3-C4 and C5-C6 which still show about the same mild disc bulge. There is still mild degenerative stuff. The new thing is "Small root sleeve meningocele on the right T1" -- a Google of that shows it's never damage -- a trauma injury often called "traumatic meningocele." I think the closest I could find is that it's a brachial plexus traction injury. I'm not a doctor so I can't be sure that's a proper diagnosis. Depending on what you read this will either get better, won't get better, is treatable, or is not treatable. In other words: no idea at all. Any of my doctor readers who wish to comment may do so. We really won't know until my doctor compares this MRI to the last one, but reading the report it made it seem this is the only 'new' thing.

I copied the MRI image files from the CD to my hard drive for future use. They're interesting to look at though I have no idea what they mean. They're in some unknown format but GraphicConverter on my Mac can open and display them.

Anyway, that's really all the news until 6 July 2009 when I see the doctor for an interpretation.

Medical Update Addendum

I am in the final stages of preparing my documentation for the hiring of an attorney. I got a copy of the "Final Interpretive Results" from the hospital (not the one my doctor did). The stuff not listed seems okay. So I won't bore you with it.

• At the C3-c4 and c4-c5 juncture, there is minimal disc bulging.
• At the c5-c6 juncture, there is mild disc bulging. There is a left paracentrical focus of annular fissuring.
• MRI demonstrates disc degeneration from C4 through C6.

Yeah, that doesn't sound exciting or good but I'll go over it with Doctor Cohen on the 11th. I don't know what it means.

In other news, I'd like to throw a special shout out to Jace for talking with me last night about a certain issue and giving me a second opinion. It matches the first opinion more or less from Tim from the night before. It's good to have a few friends you can talk to about difficult stuff and get an unbiased opinion.

And a reminder to participate in Kiva because it's a good cause. If you want Stevie K has founded the "Do Gooder's Team" and I've joined.

Today's Medical Report 2.0

Got up at 515am, made a cup o' hot chocolate for breakfast, and hiked to my car (currently parked a few blocks away as they've been repaving my street for several days). Drove to the hospital. Arrived at 630am as ordered. Nobody there. At 640am, maintenance man came by and asked why I was waiting there as it didn't open until 9am. I told him I had an appointment and said the MRI entrance is in the BACK of the building and not the front. Went in, checked in, and waited.

They took me almost on time and I got to be the victim in their new fancy MRI machine. You've all seen it. It's that same one the use on the TV show House. The MRI takes quite a bit less time than on the older machines and it takes higher resolution. Afterwards, I got a secondary interrogation -- identical to the one before.

I explained to them I have not slept through the night since the accident and it's gotten much worse in the past few weeks. Which sucks. They handed my the prints to take to my doctor. They're now at home. I went to the chiropractor today and he wasn't that much help today unfortunately, though the massage therapy was good.

Then my Spinal Doctor's office called. He might not be in on my appointment day as he was subpoenaed to testify. So I don't know what happens then. Then, my GI doctor's office called and left me a message cancelling my appointment for December because he's no longer seeing patients in the morning. Now I gotta call them and start THAT mess all over again.

I hurt. I'm tired. I'm cranky. I'm hungry.

And for my post-birthday event I'm going with some friends to see Rocky Horror Picture Show. I will just pretend I'm not having a birthday. Happily most of them probably don't even know. Birthdays suck. No more.

Ow, my neck ::cries::

Today I saw the spinal specialist. He's chiropractor friendly, which I like. He took several x-rays in his office. And thus the accident saga continues. $400 out of my pocket because they don't do auto insurance claims. I'll have to file this.

The good news is my whiplash is probably minor. That concludes the good news. As expected, I have a prescription for an MRI which I will schedule with the hospital tomorrow. I expect it'll happen within the next few weeks.

There is a possibility of a ruptured disc in my neck. That's bad news. There's also another condition that sounded like myofacial sydrome (related to Fibromyalgia) but I am not sure if that's what he said. Don't quote me on it.

Neither one is very good. Physical therapy might be my next choice. More eventually.

That's over three and half hours of my life I'll never get back.

Addendum: In other news, I've just finished the latest Artemis Fowl book The Time Paradox by Eoin Colfer. I've liked the other books okay more or less but this one's not as good. I probably am done with this series after reading this one. Quite honestly it was very uneven. It was almost as if two people wrote it. Parts were good and parts were just badly done. It's hard to write a good, believable book in two different times and Colfer isn't up to the task. I hate to write a bad review of a good author, but it happens. If you like Colfer check out some of his other works instead.

All Sorts of Tidbits II

Ah, yes, the compendium type post. Sure to be of interest to no-one, except, guess what? You're here reading it. So it must interest someone at least little on some level. That or your RSS reader has let you down in a spectacular fashion.

1. First, the blog is approaching 200,000 posts and I expect we'll hit that number this summer. Though recent traffic has dropped off a bit. I cannot believe how many hits I get, though about 70% of them are what I deem a "worthless" hit. To me, that's someone who reads the one post they came across and never comes back to the blog again.
2. Secondly the mix of visitors has slowly started to change. Search engine referrals are down to 73.5% while website referrals are up to 26% -- Google still provides most of our traffic (75% of that 73%).
3. My post on Led Zeppelin still remains the single most popular post and it generates people who linger and read the 300+ comments. Following that is the post about Daniel Radcliffe's Penis which generates more worthless hits than anything -- apparently people think they're getting the goods from my website. I think not. In third place is the Dell Sucks post which generates traffic as well as getting me lots of sympathetic e-mails. In fourth place is the Crazy Frog post, which like the Penis post, is worthless for valuable traffic. All other posts generate insignificant traffic when measured over time. Short-term some posts like mine on Wolfgang Van Halen and Terry Brooks generate short-terms bursts but then people move on to whatever else is news.
4. A special shout-out goes to Maury Wilkinson. She's the one who challenged me to make a blog. So I should thank her for that. But that's not why she's getting the shout-out here. She's been bugging me forever to get a TiVo. I broke down and got a DVR today (which she calls a Ti-Faux because it's a generic one) so I don't have to miss House, Heroes, and Lost any more. We'll see how I like it.
5. I love being a grammar Nazi. No, really. I'm not perfect but I am better than most people. And I certainly know the difference between your/you're and it's/its -- which about 80% of the people who write me obviously don't. I started a thread on my Panthers Hockey Message Board (which actually tracks back to another thread on a different board). I am only mentioning this because the thread is awesome. And better yet, the spiteful bitch on the original thread, who apparently runs the LED board, made an ass out of herself, engaged in petty-name calling, and then used RED on the matrix board to make the error worse.
The thread got locked and the entire ad was gone from the last game. Victory is mine! (Okay, it's got nothing to do with me or anything I said, but still.)
6. My guest room is now wired for HDTV for the benefit of my guests. And I've installed a new flat-screen LCD TV. Isn't that great? Except I don't like guests. Damn -- I think that may be ironic. That's why I'm in the process of finding a new home for my Sony KV27EXR10.
7. I saw Horton Hears a Who. It is surprisingly good. Really. Except when they break into song at the end -- a clear Shrek rip-odd. Everyone knows the story, has read the book, etcetera so there's no point in me going over it. You will like it. Visually appealing, very entertaining, and just a good film. Really. Saw previews for Ice Age 3, Narnia: Caspian, Wall-E and Speed Racer. I can't wait to see the first three. I was looking forward to Speed Racer but the preview has me reconsidering.
8. My neck still hurts (see accident report) and though it was getting better, it's acting up again. Not sure why. But my C4 vertebrae is in the wrong place according to the x-ray the chiropractor took. I definitely have whiplash. Progressive Insurance are being serious poopy-heads about it, and I've written a letter to their CEO and the State of Florida Insurance Commissioner. They lied to me, and I caught them in the lie. They also tried to get me to sign a waiver of rights including all future rights. I'm not even cured yet and they want to buy me off for a small pittance. I was very up-front. I want them to pay my medical bills. Nothing more and nothing less. Apparently they think this is unfair. State Law entitles to me reimbursement for missed work and other benefits. I wasn't really excited about the paperwork, but I suppose I have to do it now. It's clear they are lying scum and do not have my best interests at heart. Ultimately, I will be better so I'm not worried about long term issues, but if they think I'm signing a waiver for something down the road, they're nuts. What if something was missed on the x-ray? Too many things could go wrong. Woe be the person who gets rear-ended by a Progressive policy holder. Progressive Sucks. They must use Dell laptops :)
9. I am opposed to bio-fuels. Why? Food should not be used to operate cars when people are starving to death all over the planet. I can't imagine why anyone thinks this is a good idea.

Why Sharper Image Went Bust (Plus Bonus Medical Update)

First, a few words on The Sharper Image. It was for many years a very cool store. I went to their original store in San Francisco way back in the 1980s when I was a student at Cal (GO BEARS!) I frequented their store on Market Street right near the Powell and Montgomery BART stations and a short walk to either the California or Powell Street cable cars.

What made the store so attractive to me and my geek friends were the gadgets. Cool gadgets that you couldn't find anywhere. Granted these gadgets didn't do anything, but that wasn't the point. They had a cool replica of the Walther PPK James Bond carried, life-size Darth Vader statues, full size pinball machines, and all sorts of useless but very neat electronics.

When I came back to Miami and they opened their first store in Florida at Bayside there were waiting lines to get in. A store at Dadeland Mall followed and it was the same thing. People were banging their doors down to get in. Then, slowly over time, they changed. More useful, practical things. They lost their cool factor. Basically they turned into Brookstone. I love Brookstone. If I want Brookstone, I go there. Sharper Image lost their caché. All my friends, and me, stopped going there. They forgot who their customer was. The most important thing in business is to know your customer and what they want. Sharper Image decided we wanted pillows, massage chairs, luggage, and air purifiers. They just didn't ask us, their customers. And the sad part is they're blaming all sorts of factors on their failures, but that isn't why they failed. Bad Management because they lost sight of their goals.

Medical Update (1): More on the car accident from previous psots. My upper back and shoulders and neck are killing me. The x-rays are negative but something is wrong. My chiropractor thinks it's whiplash but that's got nothing to do with my mid-back. And now I'm getting these random pains in my kidney -- short, sharp pain that lasts a few seconds and vanishes. (On the plus side my hip isn't hurting any more...)

Medical Update (2): I went to the eye doctor yesterday. I got the worst diagnosis possible. I was there because my eyesight is deteriorating at a noticeable rate. The diagnosis: I'm getting old. He said there's nothing wrong that wasn't wrong before. My left eye is shot and always has been. My right eye is no longer perfect. It will continue to get worse and there's nothing I can do. He gave me a new prescription but told me not to fill it until I can't stand this one anymore. I'm going to try and go until my birthday if I can. I still try and not use them to read books and such -- plain black on white and it's not too bad.

Scooter Update 3.0

Hello Boys and Girls:

Today's Scooter Update: After an all-day fast (poor kitty) so she could be sedated for an x-ray, I come home to a ravenous kitty who looks like she wants to bite me. Her plaintive meow is responded to by me picking her up and shoving her delicately as possible into a cat carrier. I drive to the vet at Warp 2 to minimize the in-car time because as I drive, Scooter tries to break out of said carrier. She's been successful before, too so it's a real concern.

I must add, this is my original vet and not the new vet. He's checking for stuff that she hasn't done that I've asked her about several times with no discernible result.

We arrive at the vet's office which is, happily, deserted. I take Scooter out of carrier so vet doesn't have to risk life and limb to do so. He decides to try and x-ray her without sedation. I offer to hold her in place but he insists that it's not safe in x-ray room. I scoff, mentioning I've had more x-rays that anyone except Evil Knieval, but he refuses my assistance. I see why as he sends his two poor nurses in to do the dirty work while he discusses Scooter with me. He plays 20,000 questions and takes notes.

I try to pet the office cat -- they have an office cat -- named Levi. Levi takes one look at me and hides behind the microwave. Vet assures me I shouldn't take it personally, but I do anyway. I say hello to poor doggie who almost died of a ruptured appendix (or something like that) but is recovering but in pain.

X-rays are complete and I get Scooter and hold her while vet and I talk more and X-rays develop. X-rays show Scooter has mild arthritis so her walking issues are not related to that. She probably needs more exercise which she can't get. I'll try and get her to play more laser-pointer. He said he would discourage me from medicating her with anything at this point as it would cause more problems than it would cure. Glucosamine works well in dogs but he says not all cats respond well and he doesn't recommend it for Scooter -- something the other vet said as well. So, Scooter's back legs are slightly arthritic but not bad for a cat her age. He can't find the problem with her shoulder that is obviously there somewhere. Other vet thinks it's a torn ligament and says she can feel it but neither original vet or me can find said problem.

Ask vet to look at Scooter's ear gunk -- which both he and other vet have ruled out as ear-mites. He's amazed at how bad since I've just cleaned it again. He takes a sample to send to lab for testing to make sure it's nothing serious. Pay for vet bill -- Scooter has now cost more than my car. She's worth it, and I'm not complaining.

Take Scooter home and she eats like the pig she used to be. I want her to gain weight so she can build strength.

I'm stressed and Scooter's sleeping.

There's a box from Apple in my room. I'll open it this weekend.

Medical Update: The Final Word

After yet another 1+ hour wait, I have my results. I am not going to die prematurely, at least not from this. Yay. When you're all done dancing, I'll continue typing. (Insert Pause Here)

I'm going to be brief because my detailed medical history is boring and probably not for publication on the web, though if anyone wants more than I've posted here, I'll share. The final diagnosis is Gastrointestinal Neuropathy -- which is most commonly associated with diabetes, but I do not have diabetes.

What does this mean: Nexium twice a day for the next 3 months, then once a day for one month. If the problem doesn't get worse, once a day forever. On top of that Flora-Q which is a probiotic. Other than that I can resume much of my normal activity with some exceptions. Doctor V. Alin Botoman believes that over the next year or so the damage will slowly repair and I will get back to normal or at least as normal as I ever was. BTW, I didn't know it until today but Dr. Botoman is chairman of the Department of Gastroenterology at Cleveland Clinic locally and also at the University of Miami where he is Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine -- and he's got impressive credentials.

No tomato-based products, nothing carbonated, and no citrus products. I can have very limited amounts of coffee (a few cups a week) if I want and even the occasional orange juice or lemonade (US kind not UK kind) if I so desire. I need to keep my stress down a bit -- which means I probably should never drive in Miami again :)

There's more and it's not quite as easy as I made it sound, but it's certainly not as bad as I expected. I can now go to Publix and get a proper grocery order.

(Please note I am not a doctor and am not guaranteeing I am explaining my condition fully or properly so you shouldn't base something you have based on something I've written here.)

Eric with Tube In Nose

Eric with Tube In Nose
Originally uploaded by darsys.

This morning I had an esophageal manometry, and then that was followed with the hook-up for the 24 hour pH test. So, here I am with the ever-so-exciting medical device. This is yet another step in the research to prevent my hopefully unlikely and untimely demise. It was done this morning, and I didn't enjoy the procedure, though it didn't really hurt. It just tormented my gag-reflex. It doesn't hurt but it's terribly uncomfortable. Like the idiot I am, I went from the doctor's office straight to work. I have to wear this device for 24 hours (no showering allowed) then return to the doctor to have this removed.

As the day goes on this is becoming increasingly more uncomfortable. I can tell my throat will be a mess tomorrow because it's hurting in places it didn't hurt before. The damn tube is rubbing everywhere and I hates it. (Please say the last bit like Gollum).

Today's Medical Report

Today was my appoint with Dr. V. Alin Bottoman, who I saw because a friend highly recommended him. If you haven’t read my insurance saga, it might be appropriate reading. You may read that at: April 2007. My previous medical update is at March 2007 – and lastly if you don’t remember when it started there’s this blog post September 2006 and this post August 2006. That will get you up to date. Done reading? Good. Now, I can start where we left off. This bit will take you from the March 2007 post to today.

As you’ve seen, I spoke with Doctor Newman a few days later and he said the results were excellent. There were no tumours, ulcers, or any sign of any problem whatsoever. He said I had a very small hiatal hernia, which is normal in people my age and it was nothing to worry about and wouldn’t be the cause of the reflux. As you can also see, as evidenced by my anti-insurance posts, I went back to Doctor for my follow up visit. He used the camera through the nose device, said nothing was wrong, and referred me back to Doctor Newman who he said was my doctor for everything except the granuloma. Not overly happy with being shunted off, I called Doctor Newman who said to continue the twice per day Nexium and add a Zantac mid-day. I’m doing that, but I don’t want to take drugs long-term. Something caused this, and if we can find the cause we can fix it.

The simple fact is my acid reflux is not getting better despite all these medications. I can taste it in my mouth on-and-off on some days – a sour taste in the mouth. I have embarrassing large quantities of gas all day and all night. My throat is very sore, especially on my left side near the top and swallowing is a chore -- if I press the spot with my finger, I can swallow with almost no pain. I find that odd. My voice sounds terrible. The problem is worse in the morning, especially when I first wake up.

My stomach has a constant dull ache that has only started since the Endoscopy (though I don’t think that it’s related) – I suspect it’s the gas build-up. I am also getting sharp-stabby pains in a few very specific spots of my stomach, also which started since the Endoscopy. They don’t last long (2 or 3 seconds) but I sure as hell can notice them. One spot is worse than the other two. It happens 3 or 4 times per day, randomly and in varying degrees. And now, you’re up to today before Doctor Botoman. Aren’t you glad I had all this free time to type this for your reading pleasure?

The doctor’s office gave me a ream of paperwork to fill out: questionnaires, surveys, and the usual health crap. Then, of course, I waited. There’s nothing like a doctor’s office to wait in for the sheer boredom effect. Then they called me in and the nurse came in with a laptop and asked me many detailed questions, and typed them into the computer. Prior to my visit, I had faxed a two-page report on everything that happened to date (which, happily, was already in my folder). I also vented about my Aetna problem and she laughed (friendly) and said they’re all bad so I shouldn’t be too mad. Then she said the doctor would be with me shortly. She also informed me I look like him (I disagree) and I’d see when he came in.

A good 35 minutes later, he appeared. And he immediately apologized for the delay. I liked him already. No doctor has ever apologized for the wait. He explained the network went down and he needed all the stuff the nurse typed in so he had to wait for it to come up. He asked me lots more questions.

First, he agreed that there’s obviously something wrong despite the fact there was nothing on the Endoscopy. Second, he believes Nexium doesn’t always work in some cases and I may be one of them. He is postulating that my body is metabolizing the Nexium faster than it’s released from the capsules though he recommends I continue to take it 2x per day for at least 3 more months. He also said the morning dose is far more important than the evening dose which is against conventional wisdom.

(The part from here to the end of the post is heavily edited for on-line viewing. I've left most of it out; lots of gory details, and the bulk of the results. The report is available to friends and family by inquiring via e-mail.)

First up for me is a poop test. Once I pass that I get my first pH test which is done by inserting several electrodes into my nose and down into my esophagus which stay there for 24 hours. I then wear what looks like a purse for 24 hours (it contains the recording devices and such).

He feels there are several outcomes. If I do nothing, I have an extraordinarily high-risk of esophageal cancer, and can die from it. Associated with that, I run a higher risk of many other severe and possibly fatal medical conditions. As such, this is a very Bad Option, though some days it looks pretty good :)

There are several options: all of which involve surgery, none of it minor. There’s actually an even worst-case option, and that is the source is not found. Since the drugs aren’t working, this would present Big Problems.

However, he’s confident we’ll figure it out. My Acid Reflux suddenly changed and there has to be a cause. It’s a matter of systematically finding that cause. He doesn’t want to operate unless there is absolutely no other choice, and I whole-heartedly agree.

And if you’re not a doctor, please don’t offer advice. Some of the helpful advice I’ve received so far has seriously worsened my condition, so if you’re not a Gastrointestinologist, your advice is appreciated deeply but entirely unwelcome.

Hiatal Hernia

I have a hiatal hernia -- those are the results of the endoscopy. Because it's not too bad, they are not recommending surgery. They expect to continue to treat my acid reflux with Nexium. I am to follow up with the original doctor in about three weeks. The hiatal hernia is causing the acid reflux and the hyperlink to WebMd will explain it in detail.

I do not have any signs of cancer, ulcers, varices, tumors, or polyps. Nor do I have any serious signs of esophogal erosion. All of that is good news. The bad news is I must continue on my white, bland diet.

Thanks to the few of you who expressed support or actually called/wrote to see how I was.

Lung Cancer in the Family

Dad had his last full and complete physical in May 2006. This November, when I went to the Fastener show, Dad wasn’t feeling well and wasn’t sure if he would even go. He was having a little trouble breathing and we all gave him a bit of a hard time, telling him old age wasn’t curable. However it was getting worse, and we ended up thinking he might have pneumonia. Before we left, he got an x-ray and it wasn’t pneumonia and he was cleared to go by the doctor. When we came back, they said there was a small spot on the x-ray, and it was probably nothing but to come back in. He went in, and they did a second set of x-rays and numerous other tests.

As it turns out, it was something. Dad has stage IIIA lung cancer (Non-small cell lung cancer – NSCLC -- is the most common type of lung cancer. It usually grows and spreads more slowly than small cell lung cancer.) He’s never smoked, but before I came to work at Interstate, the office was full of smokers and he spent over 35 years around many chain-smokers in the same room as he was. That’s second-hand smoke, and the most likely cause – though we’ll probably never know for sure.

Yes, that’s bad news. It came real hard to the family, but obviously not nearly as bad as he took it. I can’t say that I blame him, either. He swore me to secrecy and only me, my step-mother, and he knew. He told my sister when she came home from college, as he didn’t want to ruin her first semester’s finals with the news, and I agree. He also didn’t want to tell the employees at Interstate until after the holidays.

The good news is they’ve caught it very early, and there’s over a 90% chance he’ll get better. He had his first chemotherapy session two weeks ago, and it went relatively well. His next one is after the first of the year. He’ll be missing a lot more work now, though the doctors have encouraged him to keep up some semblance of a routine, so he’s planning to work a few hours most days of the week. After the cancer shrinks a bit, he will be having two surgeries to remove the rest, so he’ll probably miss a few weeks then.

And for those of you who wondered why I’ve been non-committal and refusing to make travel plans or select specific dates to do things, now you know. I am needed at home and the office, and I will not be travelling anywhere unless it’s a very short weekend jaunt. Your forbearance for the next four moths will be appreciated.

Lastly, it’s very important he not get sick: quite simply it’s a matter of life and death. If he gets sick, that’s the worst thing that can happen to someone who has been weakened from chemotherapy – it can cause systemic infection and that’s 100% fatal. So, if you’re sick I am asking you to stay away from both him and me until you’re healthy. I’m one of the people who’s always around him, so I can’t get sick lest I pass it along to him. Austri has given me lots of good advice, because she went through this with her father, so special thanks to her for all of her support so far.

INFO FROM NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF HEALTH: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/007194.htm

Blowing Blood Out Your Nose

The subject says it all. I woke up sneezing blood. That prompted me to fax the doctor at 6am "Call me when you come in!" I now have antibiotics for my sinus infection coupled with bronchitis. I also have a side order of laryngitis, but that's just a bonus ailment: contract two, get a third free.

It's all Gaby's fault, you know. She was sick and she hugged and kissed all of in Vegas back on 13th. Now her, her husband, both of their kids, their work colleagues, and me all have some malady. Needless to say we're thrilled. Poor Andy went to the hospital Monday and I wasn't far behind.

I started as a sore throat followed by what appeared to be a cold. No such luck, let me tell you. It was an irritating but mild head cold. Then Saturday it morphed. Started coughing that night, and I thought to myself, this feels like my annual case of November Bronchitis. I get it almost every November like clockwork -- since 1983. Couldn't sleep more than 5 or 10 minutes at a pop, so I began flu treatments, hoping it was the flu. Hah! No such luck. Sleep came for 15 to 20 minutes a time followed by 30 to 40 minutes of hacking. Sunday night was much, much worse. All day Sunday I had a headache which grew worse and worse. That night was horrible, with the coughing and headaches. Woke up with the mother of all headaches -- and even my migraine medicines didn't work (three different kinds).

I tried to get out of bed, but my muscles didn't want to cooperate. I felt like there was a 5000 pound anvil on my head. I was in some serious pain. I've had migraines, but this was some new hellish form of one. I know it's some form because I had all the sensitivity and nausea that comes with it. Worse, my brain didn't want to function* but after quite some time I finally managed to move, take more drugs, get downstairs and go to my car. I knew I was supposed to be driving to the urgent care clinic, or the emergency room. I ended up at work, proving how added my brains were.

I called the Doctor's office but he was out of town Monday so I let it lie (big mistake) and went through another night of hell. And that brings us to the opening paragraph of this blog entry. I do not feel well. I've had less than 6 hours sleep in 3 days, and not any consecutive sleep hours.

Hopefully these drugs kick in soon.

* shut up -- I heard that comment

Do it yourself medical procedures

This is a medical product and guys will squirm horribly. However there is nothing here that isn't work safe so share the love. It's just fucking evil if you want my opinion. I thought it was a joke at first when Razzie sent me this, but that's a real product. Some things you should not do yourself at home. There's even a picture of what it does, but trust me, you do not want to look for that picture.


http://www.smartklamp.com/parents/thesmartklamp.html