Hi again, James!  This is a continuation of my previous message to you:

JB>  "I hope you have a speedy recovery." How do you breach
JB>  that with, "Nineteen-years and counting..."?


          You've probably heard the expression "a nine days'
wonder"... I guess the majority of folks have little or no experience
with conditions which aren't resolved within that time & their
attention span may be similarly limited.  :-Q



JB>  No, it's not a sliver that will work its way out, and
JB>  unless the person with the well wishes has something
JB>  comparable in their life, we have to accept their well
JB>  wishes with the intent they were delivered.


          Uh-huh.  They don't quite know what to say... but neither do we.  :-)



JB>  Salt in a wound


          Toughens the skin & assists granulation when applied
correctly, as we learned from a wonderful nurse at BCCH.  Cats & dogs
have the right idea.  Most human beings, OTOH, presuppose an insensitive
application of dry granules.  ;-)



JB>  or teaspoon of sugar to make the medicine go down????


          Arghh!  Speaking as a parent who actually tasted the vile stuff
which Nora's otherwise healthy instincts told her to throw up in the
oncology ward... and who asked her nurse for more information about the
specific location of the taste buds... I would recommend unsweetened apple
juice.  The spoonful of sugar is a typical SJ answer.  It sounds logical on
the surface & it may work in some cases.  When it doesn't, you may
prefer to consult a nerd like me... [chuckle].



JB>  Who better, than a person who is mired in stink to
JB>  explain the smell?


          Agreed.  Life in a pediatric oncology ward is a culture shock. 
After an experience like that, I can't go out into the world again &
see things quite the way others do.  I'm not criticizing your use of
metaphor here.  I'm playing with general & personal connotation in such
a way as to add factoids which some readers might find useful.  Another
example of black humour, I suppose....  :-)



JB>  If someone thinks you could better deal with your
JB>  situation(s), maybe they have never experienced the
JB>  bouquet.


          Yes.  The three of us have received some *very* nice compliments
from people who understand what's going on in our lives.  As long as there
are a few bouquets like that once in awhile, we can keep such things in
perspective.  :-)




--- timEd/386 1.10.y2k+