Saturday morning I woke up experiencing the worst pain I have ever had in my life. By 8 o'clock that night I was in an ambulance on my way to the hospital for an appendectomy.

After seeing three doctors, numerous nurses and one orderly, I had no idea why my abdomen hurt so badly. "Your appendix is inflamed and your white blood cell count is high," was the only explanation I received.

I don't know about you, but the only science I took in college was Astronomy and Geology (I was a Communication major, so sue me). I was baffled by the purpose of this small organ causing me so much pain and misery. What is the appendix?!

It wasn't until after my surgery that my surgeon explained to me the purpose of the appendix, "It really has no purpose... but if it ruptures, patients can go into shock and actually die."

It occurred to me as I laid in my hospital bed, that doctors could use a PR class or two in med school. There has to be an easier, more positive way to explain an illness or procedure to a patient. Instead of, "We are going to perform an appendectomy," how about:

"Off of your large intestine is a little, insignificant appendage called the appendix. It's not a vital organ, and presents no benefit to you; however right now it's infected and if we don't remove it, you will feel worse. Once it's gone, you're going to feel a thousand times better - and you'll be up and moving around in no time. Wouldn't you like us to take care of that for you?"

I think everyone could use some PR tactics. I've found myself promoting restaurants, toothpaste and even sweet tea (try mine, and you'll never go with unsweet again) unconsciously to friends and family. Once you have your mind wrapped around what makes a product, service or company great, it's easy to promote it.

Bottom-line: The appendix is infected and you're in pain - this appendectomy will take care of your pain like nothing else can!