sinker

Marz: Many many good vibes your way. I know it's bad news, but there are some good things that have happened in MS treatment recently and, like many others here have said, there are LOTS of support out there for people w/ MS. I'm a research analyst in the pharmaceutical industry and I worked on a couple of MS studies for two years. What I've learned is that one of the best drugs out there for MS is Avonex. It's made by Biogen. Another is Copaxone, another is Rebif. It it were me, I'd choose Avonex. All these meds are injectable, but Avonex you only have to inject once per week. (The others are daily I think, or at least more than once per week). Preparing the injection of Avonex is a little tedious but very manageable once you get the hang of it. It comes as a powder in a vial that you add sterile water to, then inject w/ a syringe. Most common side effects are flu-like symptoms. While some get these symptoms rather strongly, most don't. And it really helps to take some tylenol before and after the injection. It greatly reduces the side effects. I think Biogen was working on a prefilled syringe of Avonex, but I don't think it's on the market yet. It'll be great when it is out there. There are other therapies as well and, while not curing the disease, they can slow the progression and make life more manageable. There are lots of good tips too... like avoid the heat. People w/ MS are very sensitive to heat. And take care of that bladder. MS patients frequently get urinary tract infections b/c one of the neural pathways that get damaged frequently is the one that controls the bladder. They can't always completely void the bladder. Some meds and exercises help this too. The MS patients I have dealt with work, drive, hike, bike, etc. Of course, there may be a time when the neural degeneration is to advanced and a wheelchair is called for. But you know, even those folks I've met w/ that degree of disability are incredibly strong and inventive and still find an incredible quality of life. Best of luck Marz, Keep your chin up. And don't isolate yourself. There are many many people out there who can help... -the artist formerly known as sinker

i'm humbled by your response. i hold you in high esteem based on your job and your posts, which are sensitive and erudite. your comment means alot. -the artist formerly known as sinker

sorry man. your attitude truly saddens me. if you think I'm a fool for that, so be it. there is one thing... how can you be so convinced that what you've seen/experienced w/ your own eyes is the TRUTH? I mean, are you THAT smart? THAT undeceivable? Sorry Zen. That just isn't the case. Can't make you see it though. And you think your "dogma" is so original? Because it's so personal to you??? And you are so wrong when you made your little comment, "oh yeah, your dogma tells you there isn't." That little statement is so full of presumption. When was it that I said there is only "ONE" path to divinity? Look hard man, you'll never say that I said that. The faith I subscribe to, one that is historically consistant in it's teachings on faith and morals, throughout many differing cultures and political systems, says that in most religions there are elements of the divine. Some have more elements than others. If I read your posts right, you have me pegged as a man who sees only through filters instead of with my eyes wide open; who blindly accepts "dogmas" that are handed down from other mere mortals. I don't know which bothers me more, the arrogance of your assumptions or insensitivity of them. You're so convinced you're right about them. Truth is, They're just so shallow and unoriginal. And they couldn't be further from the truth. Break my vase? No thanks. It's not a vase. It's a pearl. A pearl of great price that I found in a field. And I spent ALL my money to buy that field so the pearl would be mine. And it is. And I will pray for your salvation. If my beliefs ARE wrong, I'm wasting no one's time but my own. And in a way, I'm glad that irritates you... it means to me that we're onto something... -the artist formerly known as sinker

and I love your sig line... my FAVORITE movie line!!!!! I laugh every time I read it. -the artist formerly known as sinker

Many, MANY thanks for that compliment. (And thanks too for letting me know how to pronounce your name!!) I really try not to come across like a Bible thumpin' intollerant asshole . I certainly am not the best person at practicing my faith, but it's good to know I'm doing SOMETHING right... -the artist formerly known as sinker

I have not ONCE said you were going to Hell. Not once. And I will not. It may be a distinct possibility for you, but again, that is not for me to say. One of my exceptions with you is the negativism you have and that you seem to generalize it to ALL or, equally as offensive, to MOST Christians. Another problem I have with the things you say such as, "if you feel the need to retreat into another man's dogma, that is fine and good..." Can you get more condescending? Probably, but you wouldn't have to go far to get there. You have no idea why I believe the things I do. But since some people you have met seem to fall into that category for you, it seems you just carte blanche apply it to everyone. I think for myself but I am not above listening to sages and saints who have gone before me who were wiser and holier than I am. My motto is faith seeking understanding, not blind acceptance. /sarcasm on/ and, by the way, cute little quote about darkness/sarcasm off is that supposed to scare us or something? i've seen darkness. real darkness. don't assume i'm naive. and I wouldn't stumble there b/c I don't walk in those ways anymore... -the artist formerly known as sinker

man, i've been trying and trying to watch that video but my work laptop won't let me... but the pics are crazy, even if they are small. crazy man -the artist formerly known as sinker

an oldie but goodie.... what's the sound of a good 4-way going in? WHAM! what's the sound of a bad 4-way going in? WHAM!... WHAM! WHAM!... WHAM! -the artist formerly known as sinker

after re-reading all of your posts on this thread Zen, can you STILL honestly think you don't have any animosity, any issue w/ anyone's religion? Now, I agree with you, that the worst case for Christianity is some of the "Christians." However, not every Christian is that way and you really seem to have big issues with ALL of Christianity. You repeat the same vitriolic remarks in your posts. You seem to be EXTREMELY negative about Christianity. So why is that? Did someone not turn you the other cheek? I think it's fair to say that you have a more than a few of us praying for you. Don't bother telling to us to not waste our time, b/c we're going to do it anyway... -the artist formerly known as sinker

thanks, sympathy accepted -the artist formerly known as sinker

/in hushed prayful tones/ "please don't let him be talking about me please don't let him be talking about me please don't let him be talking about me" It couldn't be me, I'm not a freefly boy, unless you were just referring to freefall... and of course I'm hot, I'm balding, overweight, I have a wife and three kids and drive a minivan... what isn't hot about that??? -the artist formerly known as sinker

[big hug] I couldn't have said it better myself. I was talking on the phone to a friend I've made here at DZ.com, who essentially said the same thing... You are much more effective at "evangelizing" or "testifying" or "showing others your God" simply by the way you live. The most effective Christians I've ever met are those who do the least amount of talking and the most amount of living and loving. I know that is something I need to learn to do more of. So, thanks God for that realization. -the artist formerly known as sinker

not replying to anyone in particular... I'm very sorry this thread has deteriorated to where it has gone. I'm not sorry for honest debate, even if it has a few barbs thrown in just for fun. However, so many Christians are so fast to condemn others and so many non-Christians are so fast to ridicule and scoff... it's truly sad. Can't both sides just try and discuss the issues at hand w/o resorting to such negativism and hatred? If not then why don't those parties just shut their mouths? Is that asking too much? Maybe... -the artist formerly known as sinker

The only problem with this is that if your own investigations and search for answers lead you to beliefs espoused by a particular religion, some people will be far to tempted to excuse it as "retreating into a predetermined belief system" or a cute "little box." It is inconceivable to some that such a belief system may actually contain objective truth. Such people come to the table w/ too many predjudices. -the artist formerly known as sinker

In some ways, that is a very irresponsible thing for people to do. Yeah, some people have been fed a lot of crap, esp. about religion. A lot of people have very skewed views of God, of morality, of whatever. But you know, some people have been brought up with truths about God, about reality, about the universe. Those people shouldn't throw out the baby with the bathwater, but there is NO problem in questioning those beliefs and testing them. If those beliefs are true, they will withstand the test. -the artist formerly known as sinker

I'd say this... 1. Some people are psychotic. 2. Some have deep seated personality flaws that leads them to conjure up stories for "needs" such as attention. 3. Some people are possessed (yes I believe in diabolical possession, call me antique, don't care much...) 4. Some people are legit. If God DID exist, why wouldn't He want to speak to His children? The only deal is, if visions/apparitions/locutions really occur, I think the people who receive them tend to want to call very little attention to themselves. They are so overwhelmed by the experience that they tend to shun any form of attention. so there are my views... -the artist formerly known as sinker

sounds like another reason to thank God to me... -the artist formerly known as sinker

and, my dear friend, what ever happened to said spawn of satan, aka drywall-raccoon? -the artist formerly known as sinker

/putting church lady hat and voice on/ "You have no issues with any religion, hmmm??? I'm sorry, am I really talking to Zenister or am I really talking to... SATAN???" /church lady hat and voice off/ it's a joke zen, just a joke. no need to thump my nose and no need to mock other people's religion in a self-congradulatory / triumphalistic way... if you really believe in live and let live, it should be reflected in your posts. If you read my other posts, you'll see that I don't look down my nose at you for not being Christian, for being so negative about it. I haven't lived your life, I haven't walked in your shoes. Only God REALLY knows why you -or anyone- does what he or she does. So you can take the accusational hat off me, it doesn't fit. -the artist formerly known as sinker

... but it's NOT in the noise making raccoon who disturbs Michele's sleep and scares the bejeezus out of her... no-sir-ee, that, my friends, is straight from HELL! -the artist formerly known as sinker

that was too funny. can't believe ebay let them put it on, but glad they did. man. poor ass. -the artist formerly known as sinker

oh well, there's simply no talking to people who have nothing but hatred to spew about such a large group of people... and sanctimonious condescention? I seem to recall an age old addage about a pot and a kettle... You don't get any more condescending than you, Zen. Too bad you can't take your own medicince... -the artist formerly known as sinker

happy birthday to you you live in a zoo you smell like a monkey and you look like one too. sorry, I have a rather embarassing case of tourrette's syndrome that causes me to blurt out insulting songs. happy birthday Mama! You're a kind woman... -the artist formerly known as sinker

As usual, your vitriolic tirades leave me sexually aroused. Will I go to hell for that? -the artist formerly known as sinker

wait wait wait... don't hire that crazy obi wan crazy ivan scimitar-weilding computer dude! Hire me, who is great with kids, gives good hugs, cooks a great hamburger helper, and... oh who am I fooling? I hate cooking, I hate cleaning... Crazy Ivan, you can have the job... -the artist formerly known as sinker