"Decisions, Decisions"

But first the medical report. I find it kind of strange to think that I had my own blood injected in me today. To clarify, this procedure has been proven successful as a tool to speed recovery from some types of surgery including things like thyroid removal. Dr Yoo belives that it is a long shot for the saliva problem, but worth a shot regardless. The whole deal involves removing about 60 cc's of blood, spinning the platelets out of it, adding bicarbonate of soda to make it les acidic, and thereby apparently less painful, and then injecting about 6 cc's into one set of salivary glands. They choose which side to stick you by flipping a coin! Apparently thet's very scientific. He has had a problem with patients begging to be allowed to participate, suggesting that it's a frustrating problem for many. Although he isn't holding his breath on this one he has had one patient already raving about it, claiming that he now sleeps through the night. I found it interesting that he asked me if I woke up because of the dry mouth or because of associated apnea spells. Interesting, because I wouldn't even know that I had the second problem if my wife hadn't caught me "not breathing" several times. As well, how the hell would I know what woke me up, since inevitably my mouth is dry at all times, particularly as soon as I wake up.

The other comment he made today related to the level of muscle wasting, or atrophy I had in my neck and jaw as a result of the radiation. Maybe that's why I blog so much...I don't need to move my mouth!! Speaking of which it's a bit sore right now but not as bad as I expected. I think he stuck me 4 or 5 times, but he put some freezing in first, and so I'm not even sure.

So about decisions. My children would all tell you that I happily lecture them at length about their decision making ability, and yet some time's I wonder whether I'm qualified to do so. Some decisions seem easy and straight forward to me and as such I don't understand why anyone would not make the same one. But who knows what goes through another persons mind in any given situation. I know that some decisions are easy for me simply because they are win/win decisions. For instance. Today Claudette and I headed out running at the same time, but on different routes as we are wont to do. At one point I found myself about 200 metres behind her and realized I had a decision to make. I could either hang around behind her and enjoy the view from there, or catch up and enjoy a conversation with her. Not really a tough call because either choice would leave me with something that pleased me. In the end I didn't even have to choose, because somehow she sensed my behind her and waited up for me

Not all decisions are so easy. For me, and perhaps for you there are the much more difficult choices we need to make between a current situation which is not ideal, but is predictable, and an unpredictable choice filled with potential, but with much danger...or at least imagined danger. I find myself at 53 years of age, and almost 25 years of working for the same company faced with that type of decision. And I don't know what to do??? Maybe my plane ride to Mexico next week will settle it for me once and for all.

Thanks for all the feedback yesterday. For now I have made the easy decision to keep blogging. At least until Bill tells me to stop, and maybe even beyond that!

1) Mary, make sure Andy doesn't let that wonderful woman get away...she's a keeper!!
2)Thanks Old John...I'm gonna try it.
3)Deb, Old John is one of the idiots I call little brother, and I like him too but don't tell him!
4)Thanks Joe, I'm still thinking. If I go it will only be to spent time with my mentors.
5)Elly...up yours!
6)Cory, I'm tired of playing second fiddle to some baby!

....this is why I'm waffling...

“All our final decisions are made in a state of mind that is not going to last."---Marcel Proust

....and in here maybe is my answer....

“It's not hard to make decisions when you know what your values are."---Anon

love
peter