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CANCER CALL: A HEALTH CHALLENGE REMINDER

November 25, 2020 by

A cancer call is never the wrong number. It’s a confirmation of all the testing you’ve already gone through. The doctors who make cancer calls don’t ask for your name and DOB on the phone. They know it’s you. If someone else answers the phone, they know it’s for you, and you’ve got to take […]

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CRUCIAL CATCH vs SHUT UP AND PLAY

October 5, 2020 by

I like people who make the crucial catch, who root and cheer for others to make their crucial catch. I’m a sports fan. That’s what sports fans do. What else do sports fans do? They see shadows of sports everywhere; they hear echoes of sports talk radio before starting the car. Most of all, sports […]

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ANGRY GYM CLOSES, MEAN PEOPLE NEEED NEW ANGRY ROOM

September 28, 2020 by

A chunky man eases down on the angry gym bench press bench and starts his weight climb. Turns out he was chunky, AND, strong. After he warmed up and took off his hoodie, he wasn’t chunky either. I thought of him after collecting the weights I use for my climb, and the jackass who lifted […]

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CANCER TALK: ANOTHER VOICE IN WINNING THE HEALTH GAME

August 23, 2020 by

Cancer talk changes depending on who does the talking. Between one sort of cancer and the next, between terminal and curable, the talk changes. When it comes from a public figure, it can get loud, or disappear. Coach Ron Rivera of the NFL team in Washington D.C. adds his voice to the cancer talk.

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COVID COMPARISONS: USE THE TOOLS, NOT THE FOOLS

July 30, 2020 by

The best covid comparisons are the also the most sad. And who enjoys the sad sack? Hands up. There’s no joy in seeing illness silence a strong voice of reason. At the same time, there’s also no joy in seeing illness silence medical kooks. Or, maybe it’s just me. I’m soft on suffering. Don’t like […]

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NEEDY READERS? GIVE THEM WHAT THEY WANT

July 15, 2020 by

What do needy readers want? Tastes change, fads come and go, but the top selling book of all time is pretty clear. Across all platforms one book stands higher than all the rest. Do you need a hint? Think ‘Tale of Two Cities.’ Wait, that’s the title. Damn. The big question: Is it worthy? What […]

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HEALTHCARE FACE OFF: COVID vs CANCER

June 25, 2020 by

Healthcare challenges take everyone to the woodshed. Whether it’s you, a loved one, or even a stranger, a health challenge boils down to one thing: Do you want to get better? Do you? Some actions send a mixed message.

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MEDICAL ADVICE TO IGNORE IN AN EMERGENCY

June 11, 2020 by

Medical advice is wasted on hypochondriacs. The problems they bring to an appointment change by the end. “It hurts when I do this,” turns into, “It hurts when I don’t do that. But now it’s something else.” Sound stressful? It is. It’s always something else. How do I know? Please continue.

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CONFLICT WRITING: WHEN DOES IT HIT HOME

May 30, 2020 by

Conflict writing happens in every story, every movie, every book. Without conflict, there is no tension, and no reason to turn the page. Weak writing is a list, an inventory of boxes to check, instead of personal involvement. What’s the difference?

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HANDLING CORONAVIRUS vs HANDLING RAW CHICKEN

May 25, 2020 by

Handling coronavirus is different than getting a handle on other diseases, like cancer. Both are silent killers, but one is more contagious, though cancer is also contagious in at least one form. One is different than the other, but how different?

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