Tonsil Stones (tonsilliths)
I didn't know there was a such a thing as tonsil stones until earlier this week.
You may be aware I have had trouble with my tonsils and will be having them removed in the next couple of months. Recently I have become paranoid about developing another throat infection. Feeling a tingle in my throat the other night I asked Jamie to have a look to see if my tonsils were swollen, red, etc. He said there was a lump of goo on my left tonsil (poor old lefty). I immediately assumed that this meant infenction. I took the maglite into my hand, stood in front of the mirror and shone it into the back of my throat. And sure enough I saw a lump of whitish goo on my left tonsil.
I gargled about 3 times that night but the goo stayed and it was still there the next morning.... However, before planning a trip to the doctor I checked out the next best thing - the Internet!.

I am a total hypochondriac and will rush to the doctor at the drop of a hat demanding diagnosis and treatment. But many doctors provide websites with advice, descriptions of illnesses and potential treatments - obviously for people just like me. And sure enough within 5 minutes of searching I was able to diagnose what was wrong with me and identify the best course of action, thus saving myslef 35 euro and a withering look from my doctor (she is a very patient woman :-).

I shall keep you in suspense no longer, the lump of white goo on my left tonsil (poor old lefty) was a tonsil stone. There is even a website which explains the whole thing, so I don't have to gross you out here. But I must warn you, Jamie chose to photograph the phenomenon so the picture may appear here over the next couple of days - just to record it for posterity.
In the end the tonsil stone went away after a bout of serious gargling and I am all better now.