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changed username to Ron rich-c: hello Ron Ron: hi rich-c: nice to hear from teh west coast rich-c: how are things doing with you? Ron: land of sunshine rich-c: I'm envious - they quoted us sunshine and 20, risk of thunderstorms today rich-c: so far we have the thunderstorms :-9 Ron: good enough Rich thanks rich-c: any change with your mother? Ron: no, about the same... Ron: her breathing aint so good today rich-c: that is unfortunate; one could hope dor some signs of recovery by now Ron: be right back rich-c: some of these respiratory bugs ae very hrd to deal with Ron: ok that's better, had a bowl of soup balanced on my lap and trying to talk at the same time --- soup all over my front Ron: So I put the soup in a cup rich-c: right - better to spill it on the keyboard ;-) Ron: Anyway.... we've pretty much been advised that from here, Rich, there is no recovery for Mom - only one day at a time Ron: I've been warned by the Doc Ron: No, we don't want soup on the keyboard rich-c: those times do come, Ron, but they're never easy - but then you know that Ron: yes. Mother is a fighter, so I expect she's going to do just that rich-c: if it's a DOS keyboard, you actually can take it in teh bathtub and wash it, apparently Ron: right. So I've heard rich-c: how old is she now, Ron? Ron: But then my last act of employment before leaving Ottawa was to spill a cup of coffee on mine in the office Ron: 88 years ole Ron: oold Ron: OLD Ron: I'll get it right yet rich-c: right - by that time one is getting pretty thoroughly worn out Ron: well this is just it. The kidneys are slowly failing, her heart has never been great, and the medication for one doesn't like the other rich-c: not many men last that long, but women are a bit moe durable Ron: So my ex-wife tells me Ron: As in - don't expect to drop the alimony payments any time soon rich-c: yes, for our sex the numbers aren't good rich-c: I keep remarking that even now for my birth cohort the average age is dead Ron: we're like tires we go bald and wear out rich-c: those born after have longer life expectancies Ron: :) Ron: you must have some heavenly appointed task that you must yet achieve rich-c: in fact some think that somewhere there is a 50 year old right now sho will live to see 150 Ron: the way things are going - right rich-c: no, I have only just passed teh mark whre half are gone - the other half remain going strong rich-c: still, we've lost two more from my high school graduating class already this year Ron: That's what Mom said when whe last visited PEI... in 1997..... all the people she wanted to drop in on were not there Ron: She said, "people in my age group are dropping like flies" rich-c: yes, when Frqances' mother died last fall, there was hardly anyone left to notify - only a couple of descendants of her friends Ron: yup Ron: oh well, life goes on, despite our best attempts to prevent it rich-c: yes, that it is; expect teh worst but be prepared for teh best, too Ron: exactly rich-c: btw, some day I really must learn to spell the Ron: I do know that one of Mom's current problems is the acceptance of her condition Ron: me too Ron: She spends a lot of time wishing things were different Ron: And it does no good really rich-c: I am sort of split that way; I managed to accept teh need for the hip replacement rich-c: but as my physical strengths decline, I deeply resent teh things I can't do any more Ron: right.. I have friends around here who are where you were a while back.....still hobbling around Ron: Understandable rich-c: if it's a replacement they're looking at, my advice is go for it quick as they can Ron: yes, that's the advice that's being given rich-c: Frances is on MSN's hip support group - almost everyone there is nearly lyrical over their results Ron: well that says it all eh? rich-c: there are one or two that went wrong - it can happen - but the risk/reward ratio is very fine Ron: Speaking of life threatening illnesses, I'm going to the kitchen for a cookie.... be right back rich-c: yes, if any of them are fussed get them to join MSN's "hipuniverse" board Ron: Now.... let's see here what does it say -- Glucerna Chocolate Grahams - for people with diabetes Ron: Diabetic chocolate rich-c: right - it's sugar that you can't have, right? Ron: You mean there's a chat group for people who've had hip replacement --- re sugar yes Ron: Oh, I can have it, the world isn't going to come to an end, but it's better if I don't rich-c: there is not only a chat group, it's so busy it takes Frances nearly two hours a day to keep up to date with it Ron: is that so? rich-c: oh yes, they post photos of themselves, discuss doctors and hospitals, experiences and oputcomes, and just chat in general Ron: I have AA groups on line like that rich-c: those two skaters who had hip surgery and were back on the ice in six months are there Ron: aha rich-c: they didn't have total replacement, just a sort of relining process Ron: understand there are variations on a theme rich-c: there is a difference between the European and North American approach in some cases Ron: how so? rich-c: SOP here is fairly crude butchery, slice it open, take the end off teh joint and replace it rich-c: some are working on a minimally-invasive approah does the same thing rich-c: had I chosen a different surgeon I could have had that Ron: a choice to be made rich-c: there is also a temporizing thing that involves resurfacing the socket only, lasts for a while Ron: Last time Mom was in emerge, they had her in the "bones" room for a bit (lack of room) and there was a chart in there describing the various rich-c: yes, mine should be good for about 20 years - by then I'll be 93 so will a need for renewal be relevant? Ron: types of pins and stuff that can be used, and how Ron: Who knows Rich, when you're 93, they'll have a library of bodies and parts, and you'll be able to sign them out for 2 week loan rich-c: yes, they are having very good success with hips; kneees can be good but there have also been a lot more troublesome ones Ron: Think I'm going to be a candidate for knee something-or other rich-c: somehow or other I don't see 93 as that likely for me - not with my heart and breathing problems Ron: Had a problem year before last.... resulted in X-rays, and I was told there is some arthritis there Ron: Been taking Glucosamene ever since Ron: but sooner or later, you never know rich-c: yes, some people apparently are getting good results from glucosamine and chondritin rich-c: there's an outfit there on teh island that makes what they call "Recovery" medicine Ron: I have to watch the dosage, because it tends to elevate my blood suger, which- of course - I don't need Ron: however there is a balance there Ron: Oh? rich-c: Recoery has glucosmine and resveritrol (the good stuff from red wine) rich-c: can't say it did me any good but others may say otherwise rich-c: you may want to ask about it at your drug store - it's OTC Ron: seems to be the case.... works for some, but not all. I know others around here in my age group, and it's about 50/50 Ron: OTC as in Ottawa Transportation Commission? Ron: my O looks like a Q rich-c: over the counter, i.e. no prescription needed Ron: dense am I Ron: right , ok rich-c: see www.recoverymedicine.com Ron: noted Ron: What we really need in this town is a good geriatrics specialist rich-c: it's exorbitantly expensive but maybe they've managed to improve the price by now rich-c: yes, although, I have never encountered one Ron: our GP tends to write Mom off because she's 88 rich-c: in fact, I'm not sure I'd know where to look to find a geriatrics specialist Ron: I keep having to re-focus him Ron: surely in Toronto there must be a world class unit, I would think Ron: things affect old people in different ways, especially when there are several ;problems to be dealt with rich-c: they are likely all working in liason with the local nursing homes - find them that way Ron: yep rich-c: but while Toronto does have world-class in a lot of medicine, geriatrics isn't one of the famous ones Ron: we have a fairly comprehensive specialist roster, for a town of our size, Ron: but no geriatrics Ron: No money in it - all your patients are going to die rich-c: I'm still doing fine with my GP, plus the specialists he refers me to Ron: sooner or later rich-c: yes, but their offspring are going to be getting old in the meantime :-) Ron: good. you have a good bunch then Ron: true Ron: Told Jeff, my son, when I get to a certain age, just get a gun and a bullet rich-c: yes, the woman who did my gall bladder was head of critical care for the hospital and a professor at U. of T. Ron: my ex wife corrected, saying "two bullets" Ron: good qualifications rich-c: I don't think I'm going to go there :-) Ron: no, you don't have to Ron: he may take us at our word, and there's be a media story Ron: and messy rich-c: my hip surgeon is a research clinician at O&A/Sunnybrook and also a U. of T. prof with much publishing Ron: For this kind of talent, I would have to be referred to Vancouver Ron: Joys of living in semi-rural rich-c: in fact apparently he devised a scheme of fracture classifications that is in world-wide use Ron: world class rich-c: well, let's just say qualified enough to be very reassuring Ron: criteria like - pain but no skin fracture - swelling of the area-- bones showing through broken skin etc etc rich-c: but if your heart starts giving problems, go to Edmonton - they're teh leaders in that Ron: Will get my sister to set that up. She's got connections Ron: When the time comes, that is rich-c: and of course since Selye Montreal has been the centre for anything related to stress Ron: She also says they have a geriatrics centre there in Edmonton rich-c: ah - the only problem with Edmonton is that other six months of the year Ron: which is why sister Steph and her boyfriend take every Jan - 1/2 Feb off to go to the hottest places they can find Ron: usually far east somewhere rich-c: this does not surprise me in the least Ron: What my sister is doing in Edmonton, I do not know... she hates cold rich-c: must have some attachment keeping her there - job, maybe? Ron: Well she's a Dr. of psychology, and her significant other is a psychologist, so the job is a motivator, yes rich-c: I see we're starting to give the server a hard time - I notice a slight delay now in the posts Ron: are there limits on its useage? rich-c: yes, and I imagine the significant other is a consideration, too rich-c: as far as I know, no Ron: could be rich-c: it may be that if Dale is doing some homework he can put a heavy demand on it affecting the time slicing Ron: he's a heck of a nice guy, rich-c: after all basically he's a graphics specialist and graphics are very heavy-demand stuff Ron: right. Ron: yup, that'll do it rich-c: or maybe it's just feeling cranky after its last crash Ron: Wed I couldn't get it to come up at all.... but then I guess I was not alone rich-c: now that I'm on DSL these things become so much more apparent Ron: yes rich-c: no, in fact everyone as they arrived automatically went over to Dr. D's site Ron: So I gathered. I'm going to have to put that one on my book mark list..... always have to go to Bob's site, to get the URL rich-c: I think we're getting enough used to the system that if we draw a blank we just shift automotically rich-c: on that I'm ahead of you, I've had it bookmarked for years Ron: good thing that Dr. D. provides backup.... we've actually used it a time or two rich-c: oh, more than a time or two - quite a few times, actually Ron: going for more water..... be right back rich-c: but then he put it up because we were having so many outages with Dale's server Ron: has Dale got his own server, or is he renting connectivity from somewhere? rich-c: I gather he has a server-based home network but connects to the internet via an ISP rich-c: he has apparently had considerable trouble with his ISP; I am not sure why he puts up with it Ron: right Ron: I know if I wanted to establish anything more than just a home web page through my ISP, he'd want more bucks rich-c: interesting that all of us with Tamco have never changed, and everyone else apparently has Ron: We've got the larger national barracudas buying up our locals again rich-c: far as I can tell John has no interest in working for someone else Ron: The crew whom I down town at Digital Ark, are now Uniserve, and the help desk is in Vancouver Ron: right rich-c: in fact, he's actually running the operation out of his home in Orillia now Ron: I see Ron: Actually told them that if the local office ever disappears, I will not be a happy camper rich-c: he can handle teh whole computer setup by remote and has his phone relayed for help Ron: Have come to know all the people down there rich-c: yes, John's great advantage is that you have a personal relationship with him Ron: exactly, and I find that a plus. Guess the majority of users don't care rich-c: I have sent him a lot of customers and all of them have been happy (Harvie and Pamela are the latest) Ron: right..... I'm sure he appreciates that rich-c: well, sooner or later something goes wrong, or you have a problem, then someone you know is a real help Ron: yes rich-c: he comes down to teh Toronto office very regularly; there was no delay in picking up the modem and stuff for my ADSL rich-c: in fact it appears he was in teh city for the whole week Ron: Courtenay/Comox at one time had the advantage of being too small to be of interest to the National Players. now that's not true any more rich-c: I don't know what the "critical mass" of customers is to make an ISP viable rich-c: but as more and more come on line there must be a quickly expanding market Ron: Our population has been increasing dramatically for the past 5 years or so. People getting tired of the Vancouver schtick Ron: So they come up here and create traffic jams. Ron: I swear, we're going to build a fence around Vancouver Island and keep out anyone who hasn't been here for 5 years rich-c: well, space in teh Fraser valley and delta is pretty constricted Ron: exactly rich-c: certainly not all used up but all expansion has to be to teh east rich-c: can't go south with the border, or north due to teh mountains, or west into the ocean Ron: Oh heck, the Fraser Valley is now basically an extension of Vancouver -right out to Chilliwack rich-c: and as the valley narrows it gets to be a long drive to the salt chuck Ron: now that we have the divided highway up the east side of the Island from Victoria to Campbell River... it's really starting to populate rich-c: wonder how long it will be before they start talkking bridge - sort of island-hopping, maybe? Ron: the subject comes and goes.... but every time there's a ferry problem, the debate renews Ron: I gather , from an engineering standpoint, it's child's play. finding the political will is something else rich-c: not sure after all this time, but I got the impression that there are enough islands that current technology could span the gaps Ron: There is an engineering plan to span active pass which is really the only open stretch of water to be covered rich-c: not that the folks on teh Gulf Islands would greet the prospect with great joy, of course Ron: Oh the battle lines are drawn Ron: You can find proponents for both sides of the debate rich-c: the fact that it has to be done in an active seismic area may be a problem Ron: Talked to one buddy here just last week about my "fence " theory.... and he said, "Oh, you're one of those are you?" rich-c: and I don't think I'd favour any tunnelling - though BART goes under San Francisco Bay Ron: He thinks that Vancouver Island could easily accommodate 5 million people rich-c: I assume he's a real estate salesman? Ron: No, but he certainly could be Ron: He's also a Liberal Party supporter rich-c: yes, there is a certain cast of mind, shall we say? Ron: Gordon Campbell can do no wrong rich-c: well, in BC Liberal has a different meaning than elsewhere Ron: like cross between Socred and Conservative rich-c: yes, I know about the True Believers rich-c: have them on the Autoweek chat -they fiercely defend Dubya, to teh horror of the rest of us Ron: that's the bunch rich-c: they even come into the "anything but cars" thread and complain we're not talking about cars there rich-c: brb Ron: ok rich-c: OK, I rich-c: m back now Ron: right Ron: was beginning to nod off Ron: I am in the recliner from hell rich-c: how come? it's only 1.45 where you are Ron: post lunch nap my son - I get very cranky without it rich-c: oh, I am sitting in an office type swivel chair Ron: probably better for the back rich-c: well, I HAVE been known to indulge in occaisional (?) afternoon shuteye Ron: oh no! rich-c: but I do it in my recliner in teh living room, usually while reading the papers Ron: Mother has fallen asleep in the other chair Ron: right. Newspapers will do that to me Ron: Novels Ron: macleans magazine rich-c: well, we have two heavyweight newspapers every day Ron: I have globeandmail.com bookmarked. Like their columns rich-c: god help us if the Star ever decides to charge for the Saturday edition by the pound Ron: National Post wants money for online edition, as does the Vancouver Sun Ron: I refuse to pay rich-c: well, in the morning I get up first and read the Star, Frances when she gets up takes the Globe rich-c: then as the day wears on we switch - teh Star has moe to read, though the Globe can be more serious Ron: I get more of my news these days from my two weeklies. Subscribe to Macleans, and Time rich-c: right, if I wanted to use teh Globe's research base, I'd pay to do so, but I don't rich-c: I have a lot of magazine subscriptions but news magazines are not among them Ron: I'm afraid I'm a little jaded these days over the number of websites who want you to sign up, (free or otherwise) and give a password, and become a member. Ron: I can't keep track of all that rich-c: to the extent that it's a problem, I have a little black book whre I record everything - offline, of course rich-c: for one-shot deals, I'll use a diversion like mailinator.com or sneakemail.com Ron: yes, I have some, that I value - same idea.... that's what my Palm is for and an old Organizer that backs up all the passwords rich-c: long as it's not connected to teh 'net whre it can be stolen, it's fine rich-c: if I don't trust a website I use a disposable webmail address Ron: right. this one is low end, so it's got no internet capability Ron: think I need to start doing that rich-c: that's the only safe way to do it Ron: Just deleted 750 junk mails from the iMac. Ron: That's about a month's worth rich-c: I have three going at the moment, at mail.com, canada.com and canoe.com Ron: I use the imac for mail, because it's not susceptible to the crazies to the same extent as the DOS box Ron: the Apple junk filter is not bad, but not 100% effective rich-c: with Zone Alarm, a good anti-virus, and a couple of spyware/ general deviltry monitors, I have yet to be touched rich-c: I use mailwasher to look at and delete spam while it's still on the server - it will bounce it, too rich-c: I seem to be geting up to 100 spams each afternoon when I light up the computer for the day Ron: nasty Ron: Anyway Rich, I think I'm going to sign off. Nodding seriously rich-c: that's the fruit of having had teh same email address since my first day on the net rich-c: OK Ron, take care, good luck, best to Mum, and see you Wed. Ron: probably won't be there Wed.... or if I am it'll be closer to 10:45 your time rich-c: we'll hope for teh best. Bye now Ron: take care
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