There is a problem...yes, it's true.
I'm gonna tell you what I'm gonna do.
I've decided to finally say good-bye
to the hope of sneaking a peek at Val's thigh.

Now, Chelseabelle dear, I've gotta say
that, with your words, you've got a way.
But beware!...Danger lurks...better act fast!
Cause this rhyming crap sure tends to last.

And may I say, with no rancor,
I'd have settled for a glimpse of ankle,
and, if I can be totally frank -le (HEY! I NEVER CLAIMED TO BE BYRON OR KEATS!)
making me beg really stank -le.

So, remember, guys, my love will grow
and that's why I wanted you to know
about Chelsea's ankle and Val's thigh;
it's cold shower time so, dear friends...'good bye'!

Dear Rich you're right
about this rhymin'
It settles in amd
affects one's timin'
The flow of meter
just takes hold
And you're in it's grip
and do as told

But it's not as bad
as some might say.
It helps to keep old
tunes at bay.
Cause once some ditties
get in your head
They repeat themselves
like mold on bread

But I'll watch my rhymes
with a careful eye
And try to keep them
basically wry
But if they suddenly
get the best of me
YOUR'RE GONNA WISH YOU NEVER
STARTED THIS!

I showed you ankle,
I showed you thigh
I even showed you thong.
But if you want more
I'll show you the door
And give your poor
head a bong
Cause if that's not enough
I've got to say, "Tough"
And bid you adieu, mon amour. I gave you my best,
So give it a rest
This gal ain't puttin'
out no more

Thanks for everything.

Just getting things together to FAX to Dr. Lenz for the 22nd...he wants all of my medical records from the prior surgeries to review before I get there. And I made the mistake of reading them...memories like that I don't want to remember. But I have to come face to face with it, so I'm gonna do a post for 'Controversial Issues' about some controversial surgical procedures being researched. That should help me look t it objectively, not personally.

As always, thanks so much for your concern...it is appreciated more than you know.

Rich, so much easier to type than all that Paris.com!

If I thought that it wouldn't cause a relapse I would flash both my legs at you Not sure if having a laughing/puking fit would help a lot - you haven't seen my legs!

Just didn't want you to think that I couldn't give a toss about you, just hadn't been aware that you had health concerns.

Huge hugs and squeezes from a short fat lady from over the pond!

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From over the pond....

Though the thought of a glimpse of your ankle or thigh
I’m sure is a tease.....I’m a sensitive guy;
this makes me wonder why, oh why,
all I’m left with is a dream and a sigh.

To think that your wishes, Sue943,
have come to me from across the sea
mean so much...I say, gratefully,
thank you for what you’ve done for me.

Bless you, Sue, and those who lend
a hand to hold to a needy friend.
On such caring I’ve come to depend
all the way from the Channel Islands.

Now, I hope this poetry thing will go away;
it probably will take all day;
but it’s been worth it, I must say
thanks, dear Sue, you’ve made my day!

As you can see, I'm not a poet laureate. Thanks so much, Sue, for your kind words and support.

With affection, Rich

Huge hugs and kisses - Sue

------------------
From over the pond....

Next time I will make it basket of fruit or similar, can't go raising the temperature too high

------------------
From over the pond....

She's charming, sweet, and oh so witty
Not to know her would be a pitty
Oh wait, I'm not done
She can be serious and oh so much fun

Now you've got two
Chels and Sue
Rich, what am I going to do with you? LOL

[This message has been edited by JoJo2 (edited 08-10-2000).]

I just wish you could be me so that you would know, even for a minute, what it feels like.

There's nothing in the world like it.

Thank you with all of my heart.

Rich

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From over the pond....

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Sandalwood's Cosmic Creations: Working with the magic of love....

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Sandalwood's Cosmic Creations: Working with the magic of love....

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HONK -if your keyboard has a horn

Hang in there buddy,I know it seems tough
This kind of thing can be really rough
So if this poem helps even just a bit
It will have been well worth it
We are thinking of you in this time of stress
Hope these words make you feel it less.

Let me start by saying that thank God there are people who can do this sort of thing...the only thing worse than being the patient is to be the surgeons/nurses who have to perform it.

First, the patient must be awake during the entire procedure, and is only mildly sedated, because he/she has to 'perform' during the brain probing to ensure that no permanent damage is done with the permanent probe placement (blindness, paralysis, stroke, death).

A 30-pound 'halo' stereotactic device is bolted to the patient's skull, and an extensive MRI is taken to that the surgeon can plot the proper coordinates to use while the brain is probed. The patient is taken back to the operating room for the actual procedure which usually lasts about 9 hours. The patients head is shaved, and a local anesthetic is administered while burr holes are drilled into the skull.

An insulated stimulating electrode is then guided toward the target which is stimulated with very small eletrical impulses which causes a variety of reactions in the patient. The purpose of the stimulation is to make sure that the probe lies at the correct position in the brain. The patient is constantly monitored by medical/psychological staff and asked to perform math problems, answer questions, etc. during the entire procedure to ensure that no permanent damage is done. The electrical stimulation gives rise to visual, motor, sensory or other problems in the patient that may require the probes to be re-positioned. If these occur too frequently the surgery may be immediately discontinued.

When the intraoperative stimulation indicates that the tip of the electrode lies at the optimal position, a temporary lesion is made. This requires detailed testing of the patient intraoperatively to ensure no neurologic deficit will be incurred. If this proves positive, a permanent lesion is made, wiring installed, and the patient is returned to Intensive Care for monitoring

Needless to say, this isn't a fun thing to go through. And, I am a wuss. But, skilled and gifted that a surgeon is, I must take off my hat to those miracles in white....nurses. I don't think I could have endured this three time if it wasn't for the nurses, who are the true EXPERTS in health care. An exanple...the second time I had this done, I knew what to expect and was taken to the OR Holding Area (a horrible place!) wile they prepared the OR. I was just laying there crying. A nurse came over to me and asked what was wrong. I told her that I'd never been so scared in my life, and I didn't think I could go throught with it again. She said "O darlin', if I could give you something to calm you down, I would, but I can't. You know you have to be awake." I said I knew that, and was sorry to be such a baby. I noticed that she kept watching me, and I tried to stop crying but couldn't. I swear that she had tears in her eyes too. When they finally came to get me, all I said was, "Oh no." This wonderful nurse came over to me, offered me her hand, and said that I could hold her hand throughout the entire procedure; she said that, "...it was all she could give me." And I held her hand tight for the next 9+ hours. Now this nurse was just completing an 8 hour shift when I was rolled into her area...the last thing she needed was to have some guy sniffling on a litter...her gift to me was priceless. I've tried to find out who she was through a variety of sources...but she remains anonymous, except in my heart. Think about it..your doctor is skilled to be sure, but he/she drops by for maybe 10 minutes a day...your nurses are there 24/7 and wear so many hats. They are, like I said, the true healthcare leaders.

So, there you have it. I may be over-reacting. Maybe not. But at least now you know what it's all about.

Love and gratitude,

Rich

[This message has been edited by vendome (edited 08-13-2000).]

keep your chin up mate, sounds to me like you'll be in good hands with Dr Lenz

let me run thru your post again so I get it right .. the nurse was finishing an 8 hour shift and then stayed with you for another 9 hours? that is very very touching and moving. If you ever find out her name please email me, I feel like sending her some flowers and chocolates from downhere, what a wonderful wonderful person

george aka gt

I've tried to find out the identity of the nurse via several ways...my medical records, the OR Holding area staff records, the Director of Nursing, the Vice President of Patient Care...just so I could express my gratitude. Via the Director of Nursing, she replied that 'no special thanks were needed for doing her job. Her reward was that I had done so well during the procedure.' What a miracle in white.

Like I said...I'm a terrible baby when it comes to stuff like this; terror overrides all of that 'guy stuff' we're supposed to demonstrate (you know...all that strong, silent, 'macho' stuff). If I had my way, they'd have a morphine drip waiting for me when I pull into the parking lot. Hell, I get filled up buying birthday cards. It's so bad that last time I listed my religion as "devout Wuss".

Take care, guy, and thanks so much.

Rich, don't be worried. We'll be there with you, in your soul. Nothing could ever tear us (FunTrivia members) and you apart. As you can see, you have loving affection from Pennsylvania, England, honk Kong, California, Canada, and almost the whole world!

Remember, we'll be standing right beside you. Always there to guide you throught the light and the dark- the blind and the visible- the love and the hate- the not showing of the thigh and the showing of the thigh.

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IndianPainter
Many a Heart And Soul Have Walked By The Bleeding Man, But The One That Stopped Had A true Heart And A Clean Soul.