Shingles: No joking matter

In all my years practicing medicine, Herpes Zoster or Shingles may be the most disturbing and dramatic disease I've seen. The disease comes on quickly and can be extremely painful both during the outbreak and afterward. The one outbreak I remember most was in a woman with an outbreak that involved the trigeminal nerve that supplies the face. Two factors you should consider: 1. The disease is largely preventable by vaccination (recommended for those over age 60), and 2. treatment with an antiviral agent (as early as possible) can control the outbreak and reduce the likelihood of complications. I took the vaccine and so did my wife. Talk with your doctor about Zostavax. HERPES ZOSTER (SHINGLES)

First, Do No Harm; an education.

First, Do No Harm was my first book. I'm on my 9th.
I learned much about writing with my first book and I've edited it enough that it turned out well.
My agent has been trying to get 5 manuscripts published, but it's tough going even though I've had good reviews.
In many ways, a flat out rejection feels better than a compliment then a rejection, but that's the publishing business (you never know what they really mean).
My 9th book is a psychological thriller and although I have a general outline in my mind, I'm not sure where it's going until the characters take me there.
If I didn't enjoy the process of writing, I would have quit a long time ago.

Larry