Break time

Saturday 8

oy, my achin' neck!

1. i've had a horrific neckache for the past week. it's been affecting my sleep and mobility. i do NOT want to have to go to the doctor, but i might have to. is something 'bothering' you that is non-emergent, but you might want to head to the doctor to get it checked out?

I just went to the dr. a couple of weeks ago for a physical. Everything's fine, but I have to have a couple of tests in the next few weeks. Otherwise just the usual shoulder/back aches. And the clicking knee.

2. i have never had a cavity, and i also don't go to the dentist but once every few years (i'm a great flosser!) do you go to the dentist every 6 mos. like you should?

Yes. Because I have my mom's teeth, unfortunately: lots of fillings and two crowns. But my gums are in fantastic shape...so far.

3. i've only been hospitalised twice - for the births of both of my daughters. have you been to the hospital overnight before? what was it for?

Spent an unheard of FIVE nights in the hospital when my son was born. Rough delivery, plus Sparky was suspected of having meningitis. The test failed; he was adjudged healthy after 4 days. I didn't want to leave, even then. I had abdominal surgery in 1997 and was in the hospital FOUR nights.

4. i had my tonsils removed at the age of 24 ... i'm a late bloomer. do you still have yours? if not, how old were you when they were removed?

I don't remember having them out, so I guess I still have them. The threat to have them out was very real, though: I got strep a lot as a child, and after 4 or 5 winters, my doctor started making noise about surgery. Luckily, I managed to stay healthy after that!

5. i have been considering LASIK surgery. i'm nearsighted, and my vision is 3.75 in my left and 4.00 in my right ... not horrible, BUT i can't see anything clearly past my wrist. have you had LASIK or know anyone who has had it? if so, would you recommend it?

Two friends have had LASIK in the past month. They both are thrilled. Ain't nobody cutting on my eyes, though. Ish, ick, yuck. I'd rather have anything else done.

6. i had a horrific migraine last friday. do you get migraines? if so, how often? if not, does someone close to you get them?

Yes, they suck. I only get them about twice, maybe three times a year, thank goodness. I just put my head under a pillow and try to sleep it off.

7. i saw a primetime special on 'john of god' in brasil the other night. he claims to channel 30 dead doctors and heal people via 'spiritual surgery' or real cutting on them. hundreds of people flock to his place three days per week. do you believe in spiritual healers like john of God? why or why not?

No. Quack quack quack. I do believe in laying on of hands, but I don't think it's controllable or dependable. There is a certain healing power of touch, but that's as far as I'm willing to go. Why don't I believe? Because my grandma did and messed up her health and her finances in a major way.

8. i have had my oldest child ask me about the various erectile dysfunction commercials widely broadcast on TV lately. it's hard for me to come up with an answer to, "mom, what does ED mean?" or "mom, what does 'the little blue pill' do for that woman?" the feminine hygiene or jock itch commericals i have no problem with ... BUT when it comes to sexual functions, i don't think that my daughters really need to know about erectile quality at the age of 6 or 7 yrs. do you think viagra/cialis commercials should be run where younger children can ask questions about them?

My 12-year-old son blithely ignores them, as he does much of the 'embarrassing stuff' he's seen/heard. He's really pretty clueless. But I guess if he'd asked, in first or second grade, I'd've said it's a grownup problem that you don't need to worry about for many many years. If pressed, I'd even be ok with saying the pills help fix a problem some husbands/wives have showing their spouses how much they love them.

I find the commercials lame and laughable and would prefer not to be exposed myself to them!

Good questions!