Wednesday, January 19, 2005
LARGE BRAIN
Thanks to Mark Latham, Australians now lead the world in pancreas awareness. Except for the SMH’s Tony Stephens:
He had said of John Howard at Labor’s campaign launch only 16 weeks ago: “I’m ready to lead. He’s ready to leave.” He had said that he had fire in his belly and that, at 43, he was in the prime of his life.
Now he is leaving while Howard continues to lead. The fire in his belly has been doused by his pancreas, the large organ behind his belly.
Large? A pancreas can easily fit in the palm of your hand. Kind of like the total worth of the SMH.
UPDATE. From reader BIWOZ, in comments:
I hate Mark Latham—loathe him and his politics.
BUT ... I had a bout of (only) suspected pancreatitis about 13 months ago. From a comfy sleep with my beloved, I was awoken by a staggering pain. For some reason, I thought a hot shower might help (at 2.00 am?). I finished up on the floor of the shower recess, breathing through my mouth, trying to control the pain.
My wife drove me to Charlie Gairdner’s (hospital). My pulse was 126; BP was 203/108; temperature 39+ deg C. After 13 hours in Emergency, I got a bed in Coronary Care! They sent me home 4 days later with a clean bill of health. (Just as an aside, 4 weeks later I had a triple coronary bypass!!)
Now, if Latham felt even vaguely the way I felt, I am so sorry for him, and can only offer my sympathy. It is NOT fun!