The totally off-topic thread

[JessicaTam]

And one for all the ladies.Harvard Medical School has been following 240000 women for up to 26 years.
Those that drink 2-4 beers a day have a 31% decrease in the risk of developing Rheumatoid arthritis.Sorry but champagne isn't as good.
Four beers a day keeps RA at bay | 6minutes

If champagne isn't as good, then I will just have to increase the dosage!

 

[Archphoto]

I have been trying to get the engagement organised but not easy being here and my fiancee in Chiang Mai.

Looks like we will have 2 engagement parties.

- One will be June 03 in village at her mum's house with some family and friends from the village. I will more than likely be the only farang there. Not looking forward to it but must be done.
- Second will more than likely be on June 01 in a restaurant in Chiang Mai inviting some of her closest friends and her favourite boss

We can have a chat at Ozfest if we get the chance.

Congrats JohnK - and I agree totally with learning Thai; extremely difficult - would be so much easier for me personally, if I could read their script!! I too am trying to learn with a 2 year old - her understanding of English is actually much better than my Thai . . . . .:mrgreen:

 

[robd]

Best minion I've ever had just resigned, citing some carp about "I've learned everything I can here", "nowhere else for me to progress to", "blah, blah, blah". I tried offering more money, but it didn't take.

Her value increased my value.

 

[artemis]

Calling all the doctors on AFF.

Early April, I started showing symptoms of jaundice so I got myself admitted. Blood tests showed my bilirubin count was 180. Over the next couple of days the count increased to 450.
I had ultrasound and abdominal CT scans done, both results were normal and showed no reason for my Jaundice. Although the pancreas was not visualised in ultrasound.

Because apart from the Jaundice I had no other symptoms, I was discharged from the hospital. A MRCP was organised for later in the week.

Day after I underwent MRCP, the doctors asked me back to the hospital to discuss the results. I was told that the MRCP showed liver lesions and they were pretty sure that I potentially could have cancer. They organised an appointment with upper GI surgeon at the cancer centre.

The next day, I met the surgeon and his team, he told me that my tumour markers count was 12000 which is very high. He wanted me to undergo an ERCP to check for potential blockages in my bile duct and also get some samples for biopsy.

The ERCP was ok, they found a couple of gall stones and also installed as stent to improve the flow of bilirubin. There was also a stricture of the bile duct. The biopsy of the samples obtained during ERCP was also negative. But the surgeons wanted to perform couple of other tests to be certain that I had no cancer, because they were very concerned about the high tumour markers.

So I underwent a PET scan and an endoscopic ultrasound. Unfortunately in the EUS they found mass on the head of pancreas from which they retrieved samples for biopsy.

This biopsy was also negative. But my surgeon recommended I undergo the whipple procedure as they were very concerned about the mass on the head of pancreas. They said, even though the biopsy was negative it is not 100% conclusive that the mass was not cancerous. They also recommended I undergo a liver biopsy to checkout the liver lesions.

Last friday I had the liver biopsy. I am scheduled for surgery on Thursday week.

So what I have could be
1. Pancreatic cancer
2. Bile duct cancer
3. Liver cancer
4. No cancer

Appreciate any thoughts from our resident doctors about my case.

I'm with Princess Fiona - the internet isn't the greatest place to get information, especially on this kind of forum! A Whipple's procedure is a big undertaking and therefore isn't something that your surgeon would offer without good reason.

What does concern me however, is that it appears you have some concerns or uncertainty about the operation and I would strongly suggest that you speak to your surgeon again. Write down any questions you might have, take someone with you to the appointment and take your time. There's a lot to take in once the word cancer has been mentioned and it will benefit you and your surgeon if you are fully informed of what's going on. I'm sure your surgeon will more than happy to take the time to go through it all with you if that's what you need!

Good luck with it all - I hope it all goes smoothly and the pathology comes back as benign!

 

[Hvr]

Having never faced a meeting about redundancy, would it be normal to not tell me about an impeding change to my future before going on leave for over a month. Background is that I'm about to disappear on work funded conference* (so perhaps they are waiting until afterwards) but at the same time whole sections of people are getting golden handshakes.

I'm no sure if the 6 weeks leave by the decision maker is a good or a sign of impeding doom on return.


.
* I keep thinking why pay for that to then dump me.

Maybe this is why?

 

[anat0l]

Best minion I've ever had just resigned, citing some carp about "I've learned everything I can here", "nowhere else for me to progress to", "blah, blah, blah". I tried offering more money, but it didn't take.

Her value increased my value.

How long has she been with you?

It's very much the thing of our generation today to switch positions frequently (compared to former generations), unless one has a dream which is firmly set in a longer timeline.

 

[Hvr]

Best minion I've ever had just resigned, citing some carp about "I've learned everything I can here", "nowhere else for me to progress to", "blah, blah, blah". I tried offering more money, but it didn't take.

Her value increased my value.

I truly hope you are joking about her cited reasons for departure. If not you should read what you wrote.

 

[anat0l]

JohnK, ขอแสดงความยินดี!



That means, "Congratulations!"

 

[Archphoto]

Best minion I've ever had just resigned, citing some carp about "I've learned everything I can here", "nowhere else for me to progress to", "blah, blah, blah". I tried offering more money, but it didn't take.

Her value increased my value.

Did you really mean "minion"? If she truly increased your value, that isn't really the best description of her ("a follower or underling of a powerful person, especially a servile or unimportant one.")

I've been in a similar situation - sometimes you just grow tired of the job and feel that you are no longer "learning" or feeling that you have a chance of career advancement, and like your PA, having more money offered to me wasn't the reason I wanted to leave. I wanted to be challenged, increase my knowledge and yes, advance my career as well. Sometimes it's not about the $$$ value, it's about the feeling of being valued.

 

[robd]

How long has she been with you?

It's very much the thing of our generation today to switch positions frequently (compared to former generations), unless one has a dream which is firmly set in a longer timeline.

3 years or so. I went through 4 other employees until she came along. She is very much the same ilk as me, about 10 years younger, but has continued studying through the birth of 3 children and wants to utilise her academic achievements.

I wish her all the best, but am acutely aware how difficult it is to find great staff with suitable skills, work ethic and 'fit' within the confines of a smallish company.

 

[drross]

I think it'll be fine. But just had a couple of funny things today.

Judging by the others who are going I think the decisions were made some time ago.

Just saw the Bingham reference. I'm not sure we could afford one of those.

good luck medhead. Never faced redundancy but hate to be in that situation. What general industry if you don't mind me asking?

 

[whatmeworry]

Having never faced a meeting about redundancy, would it be normal to not tell me about an impeding change to my future before going on leave for over a month. Background is that I'm about to disappear on work funded conference* (so perhaps they are waiting until afterwards) but at the same time whole sections of people are getting golden handshakes.

I'm no sure if the 6 weeks leave by the decision maker is a good or a sign of impeding doom on return.


.
* I keep thinking why pay for that to then dump me.

I have a meeting tomorrow where I might be terminated...

Gotta get that resume in shape. Even If I don't get terminated I have already started looking for a new job. Got to think of my own wellbeing.

 

[robd]

Did you really mean "minion"? If she truly increased your value, that isn't really the best description of her ("a follower or underling of a powerful person, especially a servile or unimportant one.")

I've been in a similar situation - sometimes you just grow tired of the job and feel that you are no longer "learning" or feeling that you have a chance of career advancement, and like your PA, having more money offered to me wasn't the reason I wanted to leave. I wanted to be challenged, increase my knowledge and yes, advance my career as well. Sometimes it's not about the $$$ value, it's about the feeling of being valued.

Definitely not the dictionary minion. I consider her a "Despicable Me" minion

I don't begrudge her moving on and wanting to use her skills. She knows very well how much I valued her. I gave her the best counter offer I could, but as you stated, and as I have done myself in the past, she needs to challenge herself and is entitled to personal satisfaction, as are we all.

 

[Archphoto]

Definitely not the dictionary minion. I consider her a "Despicable Me" minion

I don't begrudge her moving on and wanting to use her skills. She knows very well how much I valued her. I gave her the best counter offer I could, but as you stated, and as I have done myself in the past, she needs to challenge herself and is entitled to personal satisfaction, as are we all.

Aha!!! Unfortunately I must be the only person on the planet who hasn't seen that movie. Think I'm going to have to grab a copy and watch on my next flight!!

 

[JessicaTam]

I have a meeting tomorrow where I might be terminated...

Gotta get that resume in shape. Even If I don't get terminated I have already started looking for a new job. Got to think of my own wellbeing.

Good luck tomorrow.

I have just updated my resume, and should have done it six months ago. Oh well.

Aha!!! Unfortunately I must be the only person on the planet who hasn't seen that movie. Think I'm going to have to grab a copy and watch on my next flight!!

Don't worry, you aren't the only one.

 

[medhead]

Maybe this is why?

Probably not given the amount of pushing I had to do to get approval. *touch wood

This is my favourite, which coincidentally could* be the reason as well.

View attachment 27757


* But definitely isn't

good luck medhead. Never faced redundancy but hate to be in that situation. What general industry if you don't mind me asking?

Thanks. I'm not too bothered, more and more convinced I'm being paranoia. Big shock to find out some who have been offered a golden handshake. Only slight hassle is that I'm away until 19 May, the person who should tell me until June, but there is a pretty good job closing next week.

I work in an area that is useful for a range of industries (mining, health, government), if we are talking general - then safety would be my answer.

 

[erkpod]

Aha!!! Unfortunately I must be the only person on the planet who hasn't seen that movie. Think I'm going to have to grab a copy and watch on my next flight!!

Nope, haven't seen it either nor do I desire to.


While I'm here, I'm hoping to confirm my trip to Perth this weekend on Wednesday. I'm awaiting the pathology results from my lower leg infection but I expect to be able to fly. When I come back from this weekend, I should finally be WP.

 

[drross]

How is the wound looking? And congrats on the status

 

[robd]

Aha!!! Unfortunately I must be the only person on the planet who hasn't seen that movie. Think I'm going to have to grab a copy and watch on my next flight!!

Unless you have kids, it's probably not something you would select to watch.

 

[whatmeworry]

Good luck tomorrow.

I have just updated my resume, and should have done it six months ago. Oh well.

Don't worry, you aren't the only one.

I should updated my resume 3 months ago instead of hanging around, whilst the workload went up substantially and the work became tedious.