John;

At age 61 and with 37 years being married to the same person I think I have had my share of experiences. Up until 1990 it seemed I could do whatever I wanted and be successful. We could plan our future until that date. Then many things changed – like loosing my 401K, employment as an electronics engineer, retirement and a few other “minor” set backs that would destroy the average person and his/her relationships. Being in a major automobile accident and told by the Trauma Center doctor that, “You are going to die”! only made me mad!

Looking back at all the experiences I have had since beginning work at age 16 is interesting. Somehow I have been at the right place at the right time. One example of this is while in the military I was shot at – but missed! Something’s you like to not remember while being thankful for at the same time - being missed that is! :)

Our son just graduated from college and our daughter is going to begin her last two years of college at UCLA. Somehow I have survived and plan on continuing to do so. That is the important thing – to plan! Keep a positive attitude and be alert. If the ship sinks look for dry land and a spot to begin from. I have seen so many ups and downs it no longer matters – they are to be expected. If I do not work as a programmer then I will look for a job selling nails in a small hardware store in a small town. I am out to enjoy my life and my family!

Tom



>Rod
>
>In medicine we have a legendary strategy called "masterly inactivity" in which a physician does not leap the moment an abnormal result appears but waits and watches closely before getting out the syringe. Sometimes one still has to leap, other times it becomes apparent that a less ugly treatment is an option and sometimes the abnormality goes away all by itself.
>
>Part of the strategy is being fully aware of the situation and ready to react.
>
>I suppose that some people attribute the inactivity as blindness to the abnormality or even incompetence. However, anecdotal evidence suggests that patients do well, lots of money is saved and physicians live longer.
>
>IMHO this is the strategy followed by a lot of people around here. People *are* watching the monitor same as you and are just as capable as you of assessing what to do. Unless you can prove that your results- I guess relative income, job satisfaction and/or health/workload- are always superior to those exercising masterly inactivity, then you should go ahead and start radical treatment without assuming that everybody else is blind or stupid.
>
>Regards
>
>JR