Mesothelioma: A Silent Killer

Many people are not familiar with the cancer mesothelioma, most likely because it is such a rare malignancy (approximately 3000 cases diagnosed each year in the United States and Canada). While it may be rare, it is a devastating disease, made particularly more difficult to bear because generally it is entirely preventable. Preventable? I use that term only because mesothelioma is known only to be caused by asbestos exposure, which affected hundreds of thousands of industrial workers while simply doing their job.

Asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral that has durable but microscopic fibers which were used in thousands of industrial and consumer products because it was adept at insulating and enhancing fire retardant qualities. Unfortunately, for as useful as asbestos was, it was equally as hazardous. When asbestos fibers are inhaled, as they often were by those who worked these materials, the lodge in the lining of the lungs and abdomen, a thin membrane known as the mesothelium. Asbestos fibers cannot be expelled from the body because they are so durable and resistant to chemical breakdown.

Over time, asbestos fibers cause a harmful inflammation of the mesothelial tissue, which creates malignant plaques on the surface of the mesothelium. These plaques are the beginning stages of mesothelioma, which is highly aggressive and has no known cure. Patients of mesothelioma will often ultimately suffocate as the cancer will envelop their lungs and prevent them from sustained breathing function. It is a slow painful death, one that could have been prevented had greedy corporations and their insurance companies exposed the hazards of asbestos rather than keeping this damaging information from their employees.

Fortunately, the world is beginning to wake up to the devastating nature of the disease and more funding and research is being dedicated to mesothelioma treatment. Progressive therapies, like those which Dr. David Sugarbaker is conducting at the Brigham and Womens Hospital in Boston, MA, have extended survival rates far beyond previously attainable levels. Hopefully as awareness is spread of this difficult disease, even more funding will be devoted to focused mesothelioma research.

Brian Turner
Mesothelioma.com

Another Heart Ache

Tomorrow evening, I am going to do something that will probably brake my heart. I was given the extremely challenging task of telling one of my co-workers and friend that she is going to be let go...

I don't know why she has to be let go because in my opinion, she is a great asset to our shift. They said that her work performance was not satisfactory but I know for a fact that she works harder than some other staff in Tim Hortons.

But most of all, she is a very dear friend to me so losing her and not being able to see her again is very heart wrenching indeed.

Tomorrow is going to be one of the saddest event in my life. But I have to be strong, it's better that I will tell her in a very supporting manner than in a you're not needed tone by someone else.

I will miss you my dear friend...

Knowing That Your Family Doesn't Have Your Back

I used to be a person that everyone turns to when they need advice or an opinion. The people who always ask advice from me are usually the people having problems with their family. I was always optimistic and positive and I always quote, "...in the end it is your family who you can turn to...".

And now I think that I am a fool for saying that and I was delusional. I am quite hurt to know that my family doesn't have my back and they aren't interested in my boring life.

I thought it was normal for a son/daughter to share his/her problems with his/her parents and that the parents would listen, give advice, and support their children. But not in my family, they don't want to listen to your problems and they sure don't want to be bothered to have to help you with your problems.

I was having problems with this someone from work who is very rude, disrespectful, and bossy but I am now more upset with my family than with her. I am just glad that I have my co-workers and friends at work to receive a gentle pat in the back and support. And I am glad that they agree with me and they are there to support you.

So in the end, everything may turn upside down, your own family rejects you, but it is your real friends who will show up at your weakest moments to give you strength.

Personalize It!

I have always wanted things that are personalized or custom made for me. I want everything that I own to reflect my personality and my uniqueness. I want to personalize and customize my own stationary, rubber stamps, and even personal checks! And all of these and more can be provided by vistaprint.ca.

I never did think that I would have any use for checks because I usually pay with cash, debit, or credit card. But there are times when I need to pay friends and family a few dollars or even huge sums on the spot so a check is very handy. Although my checks that I have now are fairly nice I want to order checks that have my personal logo, fonts that I want, and I want to have several options to choose from like colors and design.

How to Solve a Puzzle Ring

This post goes to Tetris, a Korean who was having a hard time assembling her puzzle ring that she bought from the Philippines. I also had a puzzle ring that I too had problems with because when it fell apart it looked like a complete mess:

Tetris asked me to send her an e-mail explaining how to assemble a puzzle ring but unfortunately I lost my ring so I have no idea how to explain and describe the steps in putting a puzzle ring back together. But fortunately for everyone, we can rely on the vast knowledge that is stored on the internet, even thought the majority of what's on the internet is plain stupid.

But before we go into the boring part of putting a puzzle ring back together let me share one of the said reasons why the puzzle ring falls apart and is so hard to put back together. It is said that puzzle rings or infinity knots (till death do us part, get it?) were really made as wedding rings to prevent husbands or wives from cheating because when they do remove their wedding rings it falls apart and is very difficult to put back together.

So if you guys are cheating wives and husbands (LOL!) who have difficulty in putting their wedding ring back together here are some links that proves to be very helpful in putting back a puzzle ring:
http://www.walshbrothers.co.uk/Update/puzzle_ring.htm
http://www.amulet.co.uk/mcol-tw/puzzledo.htm

There are really more resources about the puzzle ring so you could just surf the net but in my opinion, being able to successfully solve a puzzle ring using your own brain is more satisfying and fulfilling. It took me hours to fix a ring all by myself and I couldn't help but be proud of my accomplishment.

Anyway if you do try solving the puzzle ring by yourself or with the help of the internet, always do remember to NEVER as in NEVER EVER try to force rings in as a single bent in the rings would make it very difficult to put back together.

Have fun!