January 14, 2009 9:30 PM

The big news of the day has nothing to do with anything that I was involved in. The company that I work for(Nortel), filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy protection today! So what does it all mean? For me, there is no immediate impact. However, for all those layed off back in December the news is devastating - their severance packages come to a screeching halt! This includes health insurance coverage and any other benefits that they might have had as well. Furthermore, should there be any future layoffs, the company is now not obligated to provide any kind of a severance package!

As for more personal news, I spent several hours at the dentist's office today. Part of the effort was to update my records and send the information on down to Dana-Farber, I got my teeth cleaned as well, and finally got the crown put on that was supposed to have happened in November.

What a teeth cleaning! When they use the sonic cleaner, they usually use water with it - not today! The hygienist used some kind of antiseptic cleaner as well so that each and every tooth was antiseptically cleaned right down into the gum line. Additionally, another antiseptic was deposited in some of my "deeper pockets" to further ward off bacteria. All this extra effort was done to make sure that my mouth was completely ready when I went into the hospital the next time. My mouth is now so antiseptically clean that my teeth squeek when I rub them together!

The crown replacement went off without a hitch as well! I am so eternally grateful to my dentist and his staff for rearranging their schedules to accommodate me - they are certainly all very caring people. This is another example of people coming forward to help someone in a time of need. This is the one true blessing that I have seen from all that I have undergone up to now.

The average person is a good person and will, without any hesitation, step forward and demonstrate that when the need arises. Sadly, the news does not focus on this kind of thing and we get a jaded view of people and of our society. But, rest assured, that God's angels are many and they are everywhere - what a comforting thought!

Bob