Early Christmas Present!

Okay... I've got a question for all of you. Ready? K!

What's small, squishy, and pokes out ever so invitingly from the abdominal wall?

Now get your minds out of the gutter. That wasn't the answer I was expecting, certainly not from YOU! Filthy, absolutely filthy!

The real answer is... well... we're not entirely sure yet, although it's 95 percent certain that I have developed a ventral/umbilical hernia! How fun and how timely is that? How would I not know if this is a hernia? Well, let me take you back to the doctor visit on Tuesday.

Me: So I, um, have this weird poppy thing on my stomach that moves when I cough, and not the way my stomach normally moves when I cough, because I wouldn't be here otherwise.

Doc: Hmm... (pokes about with his hands) Why don't you give me a cough.

Me: Cough

Doc: Mmm... interesting. Please lie down.

Interesting? That's what you really don't want to hear at the doctor's office. It's akin to hearing a dentist say "Wow" when he looks into your mouth. And the tone my doctor used when he was pronouncing his words of wisdom? Let's have a translation via Andy's Mind-O-Phone

Me: Cough

Doc: Wow, there's an alien coming out of your navel! I'll call the Weekly World News!

So... on a not entirely cynical and ironic note, this is in fact a timely diagnosis. I have Christmas Break coming up in two weeks, and then I won't have anything to do until the 2nd of January. Which means that if I do indeed need a surgical procedure, this would be the best possible time for me to have one, because I will miss neither work, nor class, and I will also have plenty of time to get reading done.

In other news, Thanksgiving was AMAZING. Amanda once again outdid herself, making EVERY DISH KNOWN TO EXIST in the span of three days. The relatives were duly impressed (not mine, although had they been here they would have been very impressed) and everyone was full and happy by the end of the evening, even the rabbit who got the veggie trimmings and leaves. Thanks was given, and will continue to be given as health is being enjoyed by all (even me, I'm not that uncomfortable and it could be something MUCH more serious than this little bump, I'm thankful I still have excellent heath) none of our family is starving or fighting, and Amanda and I have been married for over two years.

Life is still excellent!

A bientot

Andy