SARAH DURIS was thinking about Conventional Medicine and keyed into 
cyberspace:
SD>Well, folks, I can see this echo is a dud.  I came hear to learn
SD>about ALTERNATIVE options.  Do any of you people even stop to
SD>consider that I may have already considered the more conventional
SD>options?  I was not born yesterday.  I do care about my son which is
SD>why I consider *ALL* options.  I am a skeptic even as far as
SD>alternative medicine is concerned, but especially with conventional
SD>medicine.  I do not jump into anything, least of all surgery, without
SD>weighing my options.  I do not believe everything my doctor tells me,
SD>without researching it on my own.  Unlike some people here, I do not
SD>have blind faith in the medical establishment. I am fairly educated
SD>and do not feel any need to take anyone's word for it. 
SD> -=> Quoting Mark Probert to Sarah Duris <=-
SD> MP> Is hearing loss a possible result of the surgery? An ENT friend
SD> MP> of mine  says no.
SD>Doctors lie.  I am reminded of this every time I step into an office.
SD> MP> What is a fact is that the impaired hearing will affect other
SD> MP> areas of growth and maturation. 
SD>I had my son assessed by the local speech and language pathologist a
SD>few weeks ago.  My son is in the lower end of the range for his age.
SD>My son has improved considerably in the last year.  The path gave me
SD>some materials to work on this summer with my son, and even she
SD>agreed that surgery may be unnecessary.
SD>SURGERY IS A LAST RESORT!!!!!
SD>My son has already been assessed by an ENT who, in turn, is reluctant
SD>to go blazing into surgery.  My son has already seen an audiologist
SD>who confirmed the hearing loss in ONE ear, but not the other.  This
SD>hearing loss is not permanent.  I had the same problem at this age,
SD>and while I learned to talk at a much later age than other children,
SD>this has not affected my intelligience (I was a gifted child) or my
SD>socialization.  You would never know the difference talking with me
SD>now. 
SD>If I were truly neglectful, as some of you imply, I would not bother
SD>looking into my options.  I would not even bother having my son
SD>assessed. 
SD>Since I cannot get the information that I want, and only flames, I
SD>guess I will have to learn everything on the street.
SD>Don't bother flaming me.  I won't be here.
I have not, and will, not flamed you.
I saw that you appeared to be acting under misinformation. Is it a flame 
to provide correct information to you? I would hope not.
I certainly did not imply that you were neglectful. Just asking the 
question in the search for help shows that you are not.
If you are so sensitive as to not being questioned, I suggest you find a 
way to toughen up. Parenting special needs kids is not for the weak. I 
know, I have two.
                ===>The Voice of Reason<===
                     mark.probert@juno.com
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 * CMPQwk #1.4 * UNREGISTERED EVALUATION COPY
Hello All,
Can anyone tell me the best way to dry leaves of Mint? Mine end up with black 
patches all over them (which may be harmless for all I know).
Best Wishes,
Mark.
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