October 12, 2014 AsktheBuilder Newsletter

"Mr. Carter, I need to fill out this form listing everything you brought to the hospital. Our auditors require it," said Don, my middle-aged nursing assistant, as we chatted in Room 628 at Verdugo Hills Hospital in Glendale, CA this past Wednesday night.

I lifted up my designer hospital gown and flashed my gray Hanes trunks underwear.

"That's it Don, oh and my wedding ring."

Don's cocked his head and furrowed his brow trying to process the information. How could someone come to the hospital in just a pair of underwear?

A opens in a new windowkidney stone attack took me to my knees hours before. It's a long story, and I'll share in the upcoming weeks, but I was alone at a friend's historic craftsman-style home, and thought that the life squad people would use a battering ram to come get me. I couldn't have that on my conscious, so I had to get the front door open.

Somehow, I crawled down the steps and across the living room floor. I barely remember pulling myself up to unlock and open the front door. Once that was accomplished, I collapsed on the threshold writhing in the worst pain I've ever experienced.

I'm on the mend now and see the urologist in the morning so he can check on my progress. I had a procedure where they insert a small camera with a laser that can blast apart the stone. There were a few complications, but today I finally am feeling good enough to get in touch with you.

Why do I need to reach out?

Before I left to come to California, I launched the opens in a new windowColor My Door sweepstakes and contest.

It was my intention on Wednesday to email you again to give you more details, etc.

But the kidney stone threw a monkey wrench into that.

Here's what you need to know:

• The deadline for this sweepstakes and contest is FAST APPROACHING
• There's $2000 of COLD CASH in prizes
• For just playing the fun game, you can win either $200 or $100
• If you take a simple photo of your front door and submit it, you then might win one of three prizes: $1000 Grand Prize, $400 second prize and $300 third prize

It's EASY and I guarantee you'll discover something.

Please, please consider doing me a huge favor as I recover.

opens in a new windowJust go play this game - it takes just minutes - and submit a photo of your front door.

You start the process by just going to the Color My Door Sweepstakes page.

I need to take a nap. I've gotten little sleep in the past four days.

Please understand I'll not be able to answer any Get Well emails. I'm still not 100 percent and I'm trying to conserve my strength.

Please play the Color My Door Contest.

opens in a new windowCLICK HERE.

I'll have more news about the situation soon.

Tim "Kidney Stone" Carter