Just Come Back From A Consultation At The Local Hospital

[Jackdaw33]

I was dreading it as I thought they were going to tell me I had liver cancer. In the event it turned out that I had some permanent damage to my pancreas, due to a bout of severe pancreatitis 10 years ago which had also developed a cyst. So far, so good. Then the doctor made the mistake of asking me if this could be related to my alcohol intake. Then the red mist descended and I rose on my high horse.

I am not an alcoholic. Alcoholics go to meetings, sit around in circles and say things like,'My name's Jack and I'm an alcoholic, when everybody claps'. When deprived of alcohol or tobacco, as I have been during the past three years from time to time, I experience no withdrawal symptoms, just a slight nostalgia. I repeat, Doctor, I am not an alcoholic, I am a p!$$ artist. Learn the difference!

[Mamyalynne]

I should have added my best wishes too, such relief when you enter fearing the worst.x

[jno]

I don't get it. Alcohol's a possible factor in pancreatitis, and any doctor who didn't ask about it wouldn't be doing his/her job.

If he asked you about your alcohol intake, why did you conclude that he was accusing you of being an alcoholic? The question would have been just as relevant to a pi$$ artist.

[jourdain2]

YEAH! I know I drink too much, Jack, (I worry about it sometimes)but when I visited my friend in Bangkok in Jan. I discovered that she did not drink - at all! (She smoked, which put my inhaler into constant use.) It didn't worry me. I happily drank loads and loads of water. They need to learn the difference, as you say.

[ummmm]

Not all alcoholics have withdrawal symptoms.

[murraymints]

if you need to drink alcohol every day it would be a point of concern.. last I had was Mikey's toast ! prefer sparkly water and elderflower