I wanted to give a brief health update to everyone.

  First, after several postponements of the MRI and the EMG (electric
nerve conductivity test), due to snow and ice, the weather has finally
allowed me to proceed with them.

  I had the MRI of my neck done this past Thursday...and the neurologist
didn't see any evidence of bones pressing on my spinal column, which
would be cervical osteoarthritis. However, he thinks the burning in my
hands, arms, and elsewhere, may be due to a pinched nerve...but the EMG
that'll be done on Tuesday will reveal more. I know it'll be very
uncomfortable, and quite painful...but I've got to go through with it,
to find out what's wrong.  And, while it appears that neck surgery
isn't completely "off the table", it seems less likely.

  I am currently on a clear liquids diet, as if preparing for a
colonoscopy. That means no solid food until after the procedure is done
on Tuesday afternoon...or I may not eat solid food again until
Wednesday. While I can stand to lose a few pounds, this isn't the way I
want to do it. :P

  The reason I'm doing the clear liquids diet through Monday...then will
do purgatives overnight Monday into Tuesday (I doubt I'll get much sleep
that night), is because the electrical surges, although minor, could
cause problems with the urinary and anal sphincters, leading to more
incontinence issues than I have now...and, I basically don't want to
urinate and defecate on the table...but may do some, anyway.

  I hope to have an update by the latter part of next week.

Daryl

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