I just wanted to say a special thank you to one of the kindest and finest people I've ever known.

A couple weeks ago, I woke up in the middle of the night with an excruciating pain. As I tend to be of the "walk it off" school of medicine, I tried my best to ignore it and treat it with vast quantities of Ibuprofen and such.

It got worse, and eventually, I took the drastic step of going to actual medical-type websites to see if I could figure out what was going on.

The problem was, all of the websites basically said the same thing: there are about 2 dozen possible conditions which would cause the symptoms I was experiencing; ranging in seriousness from "No big deal, it will go away" to "Oh My God, you're going to explode in 12 minutes."

I figured mine was probably somewhere in the middle of the scale, but that was no great consolation.

So I sent an e-mail to Marie. She knows a lot about medical stuff. She wrote back and specifically mentioned two conditions as possibilities, and strongly urged me (more than once!) to go to the ER, which, even though I hate hospitals, I did, the next day.

At the hospital, they did a lot of tests, including an ultrasound. I had never had one before. In case you've never had one either, I'll tell you how it works -- the ultrasound person takes an older-style printer cable and puts green goop on the end, then he puts the end with the green goop on your body, then he moves it around about a billionth of a millimeter at a time, while simultaneously playing Space Invaders on a computer.

OK, I don't actually KNOW it was Space Invaders, since I couldn't see the screen, but some of the noises coming out of there were very video gamish.

After the ultrasound was over, and I was back in the Exam Room, I realized I never even got to see the baby.

The doctor told me afterwards that there was good news and bad news: the good news was that my condition was not life-threatening or dangerous in any way, and could be treated with antibiotics. The bad news was that I might have to take the antibiotics for awhile.

I asked "How long is awhile?"

He said, "Could be as long as 6 weeks."

I was afraid he was going to say 10 years or something.

Thery gave me some paperwork, including 3 pages of possible side effects from the medication (I'm not supposed to go out into the sunlight?) and the sheet with the actual diagnosis specifically names the two conditions Marie had mentioned in her e-mail. She nailed it!

Mostly it was because of Marie's advice that I went to the ER in the first place. Had it not been for her, I probably would never have gone (at least not until I actually DID explode or turn purple or whatever).

She and I have known each other for a long time here, exchanged a lot of e-mails (she totally understands my reverence for LONG e-mails!) and she's a great example of how it is possible to meet a true friend on line.

This dear woman should be a National Treasure. I know I certainly consider her to be one.

I agree with you my Cabbage Patch Sister should be a National Treasure.

How nice to have such a friend!

What a fabulous friend!! I'm glad a hard-head like you finally went to have your situation looked at upon her urging!! Get well soon!!

well i would just like to congratulate myself for reading a whole Fonteyne post without a two day break, i once tried to read your profile, and went blind for 3 hours.



well done Marie, you sound like a great friend
well done Lex, for (as a man) realiseing you dont know everything and seeking advice

Wow, Lex, thank you. I guess being a medical transcriptionist for 27+ years gave me a little insight into what "might" being going on. I am glad I was able to "push" you into going. I do remember "threatening" you though that if you didn't live about 1/2 million miles away, I would have been beating down your door dragging you off to the doctor myself.

I am really glad you went and got started on the medicine finally.

The ultrasound machines do kind of look like the old "Pac Man" games,or Space Invaders too, don't they???

We have been friends for over 2 years now and I cherish our friendship. You have been there for me during my bad times and I truly appreciate your friendship/support.

Take care my friend and feel better soon.

So......what will you name the baby lex????

Hummmm did they also tell you that taking antibiotic's that long could cause a yeast infection as well heheh and yes guys do get them as well..................

Ohhhhhhhh well............that could be the next story

Take care Lex hope you are feeling better just be glad it was not gallstones...

6 weeks is a long time to be taking antibiotics.......hmmmmmmmm mono???

Not even close!

Besides, we have stereo now....

Good point, eating some yogurt daily or taking probiotics in pill form (acidophilus) will stop you from having any yeast problems. And good news, you don't have to "cook" yogurt, and it doesn't need to be "microwaved" either.

Hey, I had mono back in 2005, they didn't give me antibiotics, only 3 weeks paid leave from work -- .

I have stereo, too!!!

Lex my friend YOU hit the nail on the head!!!!!!

Marie SHOULD be a national Treasure and I will SECOND THAT for a vote
to the Senate.....

But to be REAL with what Marie has done in my life is to very simply,
ALWAYS BEEN THERE FOR ME, and ALWAYS with a REAL FRIENDS heart and mind...ON HERE,,,,,,THATS JUST WAY COOL!!!!!!

We share a great friendship and we HELP listen and talk to each other often......MARIE,,,,,,,THANKS FOR BEING "YOU"!!!!!!!!!!


Now as to your continued recovery Lex, beware of contracting Thrush.




From your weakened immune system and the antibiotics.


OH,,,Thats an ORAL yeast infection of the mouth and throat...







WE LOVE YA BOTH,,,and Marie is a great friend, even if she forgot my birthda,wink,lol,lol,lol
Good luck with getting better Lex,,,,,

Lex my friend YOU hit the nail on the head!!!!!!

Marie SHOULD be a national Treasure and I will SECOND THAT for a vote
to the Senate.....

But to be REAL with what Marie has done in my life is to very simply,
ALWAYS BEEN THERE FOR ME, and ALWAYS with a REAL FRIENDS heart and mind...ON HERE,,,,,,THATS JUST WAY COOL!!!!!!

We share a great friendship and we HELP listen and talk to each other often......MARIE,,,,,,,THANKS FOR BEING "YOU"!!!!!!!!!!


Now as to your continued recovery Lex, beware of contracting Thrush.




From your weakened immune system and the antibiotics.


OH,,,Thats an ORAL yeast infection of the mouth and throat...







WE LOVE YA BOTH,,,and Marie is a great friend, even if she forgot my birthda,wink,lol,lol,lol
Good luck with getting better Lex,,,,,

This thread is fabulous!!!
Kudos to Marie, such friends should be treasured and valued.
Get well soon Lex.

Glad you finnally went to the ER Lex.
Yeah, Marie55 is a sweet lady.

Thank you all for your wonderful posts. I treasure you all and all my wonderful friends I have made on this site. Many of you have been more like family to me that what I have had in real life and that means more to me than you can know.


Ummm, Terry as far as the birthday, sorry, but the brain as been like mush this year, ooopppsie. Have to catch you twice next year, okay???

OK,,,but I want two cakes then,,WOOOOOO----WHOOOOOOOOO..

I get two cakes next year,,,,,,,
THANK YOU...........

Your too late Terry I already seconded the motion to make Marie a national treaurer. You can third it though.

Anyone who is welcomed into Maries circle of friends should count themselves lucky. She is one special lady for sure.

Why should you own her? Why cant she be a Global treasure?!

She doesn't like to fly,,,,,lol