Several weeks ago, a friend told me about her upcoming surgery. For several months, she's lived with constant pain down her right arm and numbness and tingling in her right hand. An MRI showed a growth on her cervical spine (in her neck), which the doctor said was causing the pain. The doctor sent her to a surgeon, who told her that surgery was the only solution.

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My husband and I have been opining the decline of good English, hastened by the prevalence of text messaging. When I first started using the text feature on my cell phone, I always composed my texts like a letter -- starting with a salutation, spelling out every word in the message, and even signing my name. For expediency, my children's habits have rubbed off on me.

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My children "discovered" YouTube (the popular, free video-sharing Web site) a long time ago, but I've only recently come to use and enjoy it. The exuberant performance of Do Re Mi at a railroad station in Belgium perks everyone up. A Scottish bicyclist's tricks are truly awesome. The Cimorellis' video -- one brother and five sisters singing in glorious harmony -- is a family favorite. And Susan Boyle's singing debut on Britain's Got Talent continues to inspire. It was YouTube's most-watched video in 2009.

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