Friday, July 30, 2004
Medical Research 3
Well.
I showed up at the agreed upon location to meet Jenny for the interview/physical. She wasn't there. I waited for a few minutes. Misha showed up. She could have told me she was Jenny, I wouldn't have known any different.
We sat down and began to fill out the secondary questionnaire. More medical history questions, more alcohol and drug use questions, and a whole lot of questions about phobias. One more time for the record, I am not afraid of closed spaces, open spaces, high spaces, low spaces, people, public speaking, writing tests, spiders, the dark, water, peanut butter, the number 13, or other peoples' opinions. I do, however, avoid the entrance to Superstore whenever possible.
They want to measure the amount of gamma-amino butyric acid in my brain. Cool.
She assures me that I won't get hurt, that I can opt out at anytime and that if they find out anything really cool, wierd, or dangerous, they'll let me know.
I signed the consent form.
Misha takes me to meet Dr. Nick.
That's right, Dr. Nick.
This is the point where images of Matt Groening's Dr. Nick Riviera, internet diplomas and a rusty scapel flash through my mind. Luckily, this Dr. Nick has an English accent. The fear subsides. She didn't ask me about my animated-doctor-phobia.
Dr. Nick calls my glasses 'spectacles', and his shred box is labelled, 'confidential waste'. The English always make me smile.
He says he needs to check my blood pressure. I'm feeling comfortable now. I say, "...to see if I have some?" He says, "Well, you DID walk in here."
I decide to try not to be too funny anymore.
He continues to check my pulse, my heart, my lungs, my height, my weight, my eyes, my ears, my nose, and my throat. Everything checks out. Now I know a Psychiatrist that would attest to the fact that I appear normal...at least until he scans my brain.
But that's next week.
I showed up at the agreed upon location to meet Jenny for the interview/physical. She wasn't there. I waited for a few minutes. Misha showed up. She could have told me she was Jenny, I wouldn't have known any different.
We sat down and began to fill out the secondary questionnaire. More medical history questions, more alcohol and drug use questions, and a whole lot of questions about phobias. One more time for the record, I am not afraid of closed spaces, open spaces, high spaces, low spaces, people, public speaking, writing tests, spiders, the dark, water, peanut butter, the number 13, or other peoples' opinions. I do, however, avoid the entrance to Superstore whenever possible.
They want to measure the amount of gamma-amino butyric acid in my brain. Cool.
She assures me that I won't get hurt, that I can opt out at anytime and that if they find out anything really cool, wierd, or dangerous, they'll let me know.
I signed the consent form.
Misha takes me to meet Dr. Nick.
That's right, Dr. Nick.
This is the point where images of Matt Groening's Dr. Nick Riviera, internet diplomas and a rusty scapel flash through my mind. Luckily, this Dr. Nick has an English accent. The fear subsides. She didn't ask me about my animated-doctor-phobia.
Dr. Nick calls my glasses 'spectacles', and his shred box is labelled, 'confidential waste'. The English always make me smile.
He says he needs to check my blood pressure. I'm feeling comfortable now. I say, "...to see if I have some?" He says, "Well, you DID walk in here."
I decide to try not to be too funny anymore.
He continues to check my pulse, my heart, my lungs, my height, my weight, my eyes, my ears, my nose, and my throat. Everything checks out. Now I know a Psychiatrist that would attest to the fact that I appear normal...at least until he scans my brain.
But that's next week.
Wednesday, July 28, 2004
Medical Research 2 1/2
Jenny called. She seemed excited that I was still interested. Should that make me nervous? I told some folks at work that I might be getting an MRI. They came up with some good suggestions of things to do at an MRI, but I'm pretty sure they'll figure out if I've crawled in backwards. I have an interview/physical with their doctor at 8:00 am on Friday. I hope I pass.
Medical Research 2
Last week, Friday, I found a little piece of paper in my pants pocket as I was going through some dirty laundry. Just a phone number that was torn from something...ah, the brain scan study! Should I call? What if something's wrong with me? What if they want to do something invasive? Stranger thoughts entered my mind.
I called the number. Jenny answered. She was pleasant.
The study involves and interview, a physical, and an MRI. A 45 minute session and a two hour session. Thirty bucks.
I could use thirty bucks. Maybe I could use an MRI...?
OK. What's next? Jenny wants to ask me some questions.
History of mental illness? No.
Depression? No.
Schizophrenia? No.
Drug use? No.
Many more questions. No.
Any metal plates in your body? No.
Pacemaker? No.
Joint replacement surgery? No.
Open heart surgery? No.
Are you a welder? ...no.
Have you ever been injured by a metal object that has never been removed from your body? What?! I've been injured by several metal objects, but none of them ever entered my body...is that OK? Jenny seems OK with it. She didn't think it was a strange question.
Apparently I passed the first stage. She'll be in touch with me soon...
I called the number. Jenny answered. She was pleasant.
The study involves and interview, a physical, and an MRI. A 45 minute session and a two hour session. Thirty bucks.
I could use thirty bucks. Maybe I could use an MRI...?
OK. What's next? Jenny wants to ask me some questions.
History of mental illness? No.
Depression? No.
Schizophrenia? No.
Drug use? No.
Many more questions. No.
Any metal plates in your body? No.
Pacemaker? No.
Joint replacement surgery? No.
Open heart surgery? No.
Are you a welder? ...no.
Have you ever been injured by a metal object that has never been removed from your body? What?! I've been injured by several metal objects, but none of them ever entered my body...is that OK? Jenny seems OK with it. She didn't think it was a strange question.
Apparently I passed the first stage. She'll be in touch with me soon...
Tuesday, July 27, 2004
Medical Research
I saw an ad a few weeks ago that kept my attention.
It read, "Healthy Volunteers Needed. Brain Scan Study. 18 to 45 years old. Expenses Paid."
It was a single page, 8-1/2 by 11 sheet with the phone number repeated about 20 times on little tear off strips at the bottom. I tore one off and stuck it in my pocket.
It read, "Healthy Volunteers Needed. Brain Scan Study. 18 to 45 years old. Expenses Paid."
It was a single page, 8-1/2 by 11 sheet with the phone number repeated about 20 times on little tear off strips at the bottom. I tore one off and stuck it in my pocket.
Monday, July 26, 2004
Freestay Getaways review PART TWO
So, it's taken me awhile to get back to writing anything. I'm in the midst of moving my office to the basement and out of Z's room. Most things are out of his room, but there is still no semblance of order (is that a word?) in the basement. I'm having a hard time combining available time and motivation into a cohesive unit. I ate nachos and watched "Newlyweds-Nick & Jessica" (I cannot believe I admitted that here-I am NOT dignifying them with a link) and read IGA & A&B Sound flyers while I sat on my arse tonight. This doesn't sound much like a review yet...I should get to that.
Two nights in the Laurel Point Inn. One night with a view of the Inner Harbour, one night with a view of the Outer Harbour (we moved by request; partially because of some noise due to our proximity to the lobby, mostly because we wanted a better view...Z fell off the luggage cart that he was riding during the otherwise uneventful move and then he ate some soap while we bathed him in an attempt to comfort and console him-my apologies for the blood curdling screams to whoever was staying in 119, he's feeling much better now), filet mignon, chicken and cashew stirfry, herb encrusted pork tenderloin, fish and chips, very freshly made tiramisu, breakfast buffet-complete with omlette chef, heated towel racks, king-size bed with down duvet, Japanese garden, fancy soaps, indoor pool, room service, and walking distance to Victoria's Inner Harbour. A $600 value for roughly $195. I'd give it three thumbs up, but that would require surgery.
If you haven't looked up Freestay yet, I don't know what else I can say to convince you.
Two nights in the Laurel Point Inn. One night with a view of the Inner Harbour, one night with a view of the Outer Harbour (we moved by request; partially because of some noise due to our proximity to the lobby, mostly because we wanted a better view...Z fell off the luggage cart that he was riding during the otherwise uneventful move and then he ate some soap while we bathed him in an attempt to comfort and console him-my apologies for the blood curdling screams to whoever was staying in 119, he's feeling much better now), filet mignon, chicken and cashew stirfry, herb encrusted pork tenderloin, fish and chips, very freshly made tiramisu, breakfast buffet-complete with omlette chef, heated towel racks, king-size bed with down duvet, Japanese garden, fancy soaps, indoor pool, room service, and walking distance to Victoria's Inner Harbour. A $600 value for roughly $195. I'd give it three thumbs up, but that would require surgery.
If you haven't looked up Freestay yet, I don't know what else I can say to convince you.
Wednesday, July 07, 2004
a positive answer
A few months ago, I volunteered to lead a staff devotion this Friday at work. Of course, it is Wednesday night and I still have nothing prepared. I was surfing, looking for ideas, and I came across this little bit of comfort and inspiration on Lutherans.Net that I thought I'd share. I still don't know what I'm doing on Friday.
For all the negative things we have to say to ourselves, God has a positive answer for it.
You say: "It's impossible"
God says: "All things are possible" (Luke 18:27)
You say: "I'm too tired"
God says: "I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28-30)
You say: "Nobody really loves me"
God says: "I love you" (John 3:16 & John 13:34)
You say: "I can't go on"
God says: "My grace is sufficient" (II Corinthians 12:9)
You say: "I can't figure things out"
God says: "I will direct your steps" (Proverbs 3:5-6)
You say: "I can't do it"
God says: "You can do all things" (Philippians 4:13)
You say: "I'm not able"
God says: "I am able" (II Corinthians 9:8)
You say: "It's not worth it"
God says: "It will be worth it" (Roman 8:28)
You say: "I can't forgive myself"
God says: "I FORGIVE YOU" (I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)
You say: "I can't manage"
God says: "I will supply all your needs" (Philippians 4:19)
You say: "I'm afraid"
God says: "I have not given you a spirit of fear" (II Timothy 1:7)
You say: "I'm always worried and frustrated"
God says: "Cast all your cares on ME" (I Peter 5:7)
You say: "I don't have enough faith"
God says: "I've given everyone a measure of faith" (Romans 12:3)
You say: "I'm not smart enough"
God says: "I give you wisdom" (I Corinthians 1:30)
You say: "I feel all alone"
God says: "I will never leave you or forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5)
- Author Unknown
