Two weeks after my brain tumor diagnosis my television went out. Now, that is what some might call a fallacy. One really had nothing to do with the other. But, the pop-goes-the weasel behavior of my TV could not have come at a more inopportune time.

Verizon had just installed fiber optic throughout my neighborhood and I thought it would be cool to have the service. After all, you could get digital TV, internet service and your phone service in one package. It was supposed to be faster and clearer reception, as well.

Well, I got the service. A guy named Phil installed it. He never returned even though he said he would be back the next day to 'go over some things with me'! By that time my two year old 29 inch television had blown and never came back to life. I spent quite a bit of time on the phone in the next month and a half trying to get my service. Verizon did install a new TV, only to see that one go POP, too! After the third TV was installed, the area service manager 'Bob' said that I would not get any more free TV's if that went out- and that we would probably have to get the apartment complex to look at the wiring system.

Me, I thought it might be bright to invest in some Circuit City coupons - one never knows what might blow next.