Sorry I didn't get back to everyone about the tickets last night- the good (?) news is that they were already taken, so I didn't miss out on giving them to you.

The bad news... (and the reason I didn't get back to anyone)-

After I posted that I left the computer... came back later- the screen was dark. Fine, I figured, it went to sleep. Wiggled the mouse. Nothing. Hit the keyboard. Nothing. Then noticed the glowing white "sleep" light wasn't on.
Then noticed that the printer, light, speakers, etc (i.e. everything else plugged in to the power strip) was also off.

Then I noticed the burning smell.

Crap.

I think my computer is dead. Like dead, fried, dead.

Thank god for applecare, and thank god for backups.

But unfortunately today is easter and the apple store is closed, so who knows when I will get a chance to take it in.

ok, time for breakfast!

• I have two tickets available (free!) to "Aces and Blades". It's a benefit (not sure for what) put on by the Sabres. "business formal" attire at the Adam's Mark. TONIGHT. I think it's a casino night- possibly even with sabres players as dealers. Tix are $100 apiece. I have two FOR FREE. let me know ASAP if you want them!!!***

Hey paul, is there anyway to upload an .avi video?

So, my mom has been having some thyroid issues. No big deal, but they finally got her levels under control enough, and it was time to go ahead with the radioactive iodine treatment. Which is a no-big-deal, common procedure. She just swallows a pill and the radioactive iodine goes to the thyroid and knocks it down a notch.

but since it's radioactive, it's a big health issue, blah blah.
They gave her a zillion warnings- like not to touch anyone, to wash her sheets every day- and rinse them twice. They told her that if she blows her nose, she has to flush the kleenex down the toilet- and then flush again. Because her "radioactive waste" can't go in the landfill. (but apparently it's perfectly fine to contaminate the water).

But she has been assured that the dose in the pill is safe and won't harm her or make her have mutant babies or anything like that. Yet somehow her dirty kleenex is a major health hazard that can't even go in a landfill. Eh, whatever. health policy.

I've had patients who had radiation ask for doctors' notes to cross the border back to canada, b/c they set off all SORTS of alarms.

But paul, you would be so jealous... somehow my dad got a geiger counter (not sure where) and brought it home and chased her around the house with it. haha. He took a video, but I can't seem to post it.

so instead, here's something along the same theme.

Ok ok (e:pyrcedgrrl) made me feel bad, so I took the pix down. (if you missed it, I had posted before/after pics of a leg we had to amputate last night.) But to answer- technically it's ok since I didn't show his face (even if I did I would be ok if I blacked out the eyes) or give his name or anything, and he consented to having pictures taken.
That said, was it in poor taste? yes.

It was infected. And it got visibly, significantly worse over the matter of a few hours, which puts necrotizing fasciitis (i.e. "flesh-eating backteria") high on the list, and the only way to stop the spread of the infection is to remove the source. The leg was pretty dead, and we will probably have to go back and take more later, but we watch and see.

It's amazing though... he was starting to go downhill and look REALLY sick- but as soon as the leg was off, his heart rate went down and his blood pressure went up- all while he was under anesthesia. Kinda cool, I think we actually saved his life.

And jbeatty- all "parts" removed during surgery (even non-human parts like bullets etc) get sent to pathology. Or, the horrible joke I've heard too many times "ok here you go- send that to the kitchen!"

ha, ha, ha.

Oh, and did you know you can get herpes in your EYE to the point that you have to have the eye REMOVED? This poor guy can't catch a break.

Unfortunately, I have had this song in my head all day.
I especially like the burning cross, for added drama.