No, he didn't make me cough.

I went to the doctor today to get checked out. I've been having a number of health issues lately, the most concerning being a rather large bulge in an important area that has developed into quite the annoyance. At first I wasn't going to do anything about it (typical guy response), but over the last month it seems to have been getting bigger, and with the other health problems I've experienced recently (more on that in the future), I ain't about to take anymore chances. It hasn't become painful, but I need to get it fixed and that is that.

Not necessarily dangerous in themselves, inguinal hernias can lead to life-threatening complications. For that reason, your doctor is likely to recommend surgical repair of a hernia that's painful or growing larger. The good news is that it's not the same hernia operation your father may have had, with a large abdominal incision, a long hospital stay and weeks of immobility. Instead, many inguinal hernias now can be successfully repaired with a technique that uses several small incisions, leading to a faster, less painful recovery.

You've only got one life, and you gotta take care of it. My body needs to last me at least sixty more years... heck, I'd really like it to be here for 70 or 80 more.


Thanks to the wonders of Universal Socialized medicine, I can receive the surgery for "free". I just need to hear back from the Specialist as to when I can have my surgery.... circa 2006 I'm thinking. Imagine with me, if you will: Canada has a privatized medical system to compliment it's social service...

those who can afford the surgery/operation/medical treatment can pay for it and receive it at their convenience...

those who cannot afford the surgery can get their services through the government by paying in the MSP Program (in BC it is called MSP), and they can receive service whenever possible...

sounds good to me, what is the problem? There would be less line-ups and less waiting times, because the filthy capitalists would use the private system, freeing up time and resources from the socialized one.

I'll blog more about my health later (since you're all so interested!). I will say this: there will probably be a LOT more posting here in the near future...

I won't have anything else to do.

Update Dec 2, 6:48pm- I took the words right out of Andrew's mouth... two months after he spoke them! He wrote url in the comments, but I thought it would be good to link it here as well (for all you lazy people you can't cut 'n paste).