I finally read Harry Potter...

Okay, so 10 years after the start of the Harry Potter phenomenon, I finally read Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. I was never interested in the books, probably the only person I know who wasn't. DH has read them, sister has, god-daughter has... but they've never sounded interesting to me. Don't get me wrong, I'm a HUGE sci-fi & fantasy fan, I read Asimov and Heinlein from a young age and The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings trilogy around age 11, but Harry's adventures never interested me.

Until now... A friend is reading them with her son and recommended them saying it's a good story and an easy read.
So, on a recent business trip I grabbed the first book out of DH's library. I read it in a day, definitely an easy read and not a bad story.

I've told a couple people I didn't like Harry Potter. My sister's reaction was an incredulous, "You didn't like Harry Potter?!?!" Okay, maybe "didn't like" is a bit strong, but frankly I was underwhelmed. I expected something that would grab me and pull me into the story. That because I wasn't going to be home for two days after I finished the book, I'd go nuts waiting to get home to pick up book two. But none of that happened. I finished the book and came home and put it back in the library and picked up something else that isn't Harry Potter. (I've currently got my nose in four books, but will drop them all if I get Wild Fire by Nelson DeMille for Chanukah. I've been wanting to read it for over a year and wanted to pick it up in November when it came out in paperback, but I digress.)
My life will go on if I don't read the other six Potter books, but I'll be definitely disappointed if I don't get ahold of Wild Fire sometime soon.

Now, I've promised my niece that if she wants to read and discuss the books, I'm happy to continue, but I don't know if she's interested. If she's not, that's fine, I'll go on to the gazillion books sitting around here yearning to be read.

I honestly don't think I would have be crazy for Harry as a younger me. As I mentioned, I read Tolkien around age 11. I tried to get into the books around age 9, had a tough time and put them aside for two years. I just don't think Harry's adventures would have appealed to me then, either. Of course, by then I was reading my Dad's old Fantasy & Science Fiction magazines and books. Oh and Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine which is detective fiction. (Dang! They both still exist!)

Harry Potter definitely has done good in getting kids interested in reading that possibly wouldn't have been before. He's just not for me.

She Lived Up to Her Name...Risa

Risa is gone. We had to put her to sleep on November 15. It was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do. She told us on that Tuesday that it was time and we waited until Thursday so that her regular vet could be there. She was never in any discomfort, if she had been, we would have done it sooner. November 15 was 10 weeks to the day since her diagnosis. DH has more information on his blog.

Several people told us about the Rainbow Bridge. You can read it here. People told us about their beloved dogs who Risa will be playing with at Rainbow Bridge. I envision this as her new pack, at least until we can join her. Risa's new pack includes:
TK, Princess, Putt-Putt, and Kuma (my beautiful dogs when I was growing up)
Ting-Ling (DH's dog)
Schoep, Beschert, Trapper (Laurie)
Patch and Rusty (PastorDan)
Mooch, Wicket, Pepper, Simon, and Toby (SaraBeth)
Brillig (Brillig)
Dickens (Zoskie)
Erla, Ranger, and Scout (Sharon)

On my desk at work I have a picture of her and pictures of her in my screensaver slideshow. I can look at these pictures daily and smile when I think of her. However, at other times, I just lose it. I was organizing some papers one day and found a receipt from a vet visit earlier this year before this ordeal started... I burst into tears. The certificate from Bubbling Well (see aforementioned DH blog) came the other day. At first I thought I was okay and then I sat down and cried.

Risa sure lived up to her name, providing us with nearly 10 1/2 years of laughter and good times. After she went to sleep we sat and told stories about Risa and we still do, "Do you remember when Risa...?" And my line has been that we'll be vacuuming her fur from the carpet for years to come. <grin>

Bye baby dog, I'll miss you. Thank you for sharing your life and love with us.

"We give dogs time we can spare, space we can spare and love we can spare. And in return, dogs give us their all. It's the best deal man has ever made." -M. Acklam

Puppy Update (Pupdate?)

Tomorrow is six weeks since Risa's initial diagnosis and she is still with us.

We were hoping to avoid the vet this week. It's the first week since Risa's diagnosis that she has no vet appointments. But luck doesn't seem to be on our side...

We had a scare with Orion today. Doug came into my office with a very serious, very scary look on his face and said he wanted me to look at something. He proceeded to point out what felt like a lump on Orion's chest. Okay, I might have jumped to conclusions even if I didn't have a dog with cancer, but given everything we've been through, we both went into shock. We called the vet and got an appointment for an hour later. We spent the better part of that hour planning... if it's cancer, we're going straight to UCD; we're catching it early, etc etc. We stopped to think about cysts and maybe an infection, but were so sure what it could be. When we saw the doctor she first asked about Risa. (She performed surgery on Risa in July to remove a growth from her eye and her tonsils (both were benign). She felt bad about Risa and hadn't been updated, as we've been keeping in touch with a different vet from the practice for the cancer.) We pointed out Orion's lump and she said she thought it might be a lipoma, a benign fatty mass that is common to larger breeds. D'oh! Forgot about that possibility, Risa had one removed a few years ago when it started interfering with her gait. The doctor examined O-dog and then took her to aspirate it. She came back and said that it was in fact a lipoma. She had taken samples from two different angles and the results were the same. Doug asked just how confident she was in that diagnosis and she said extremely. We'll keep an eye on it to see if it grows, but they don't recommend surgery to remove it unless it's interfering with something. Tonight Orion starts the Shaklee supplements (Omega oils and antioxidants) that we started Risa on a few weeks ago. We've been talking about doing it, but nothing like a scare to really get it going.

All these vet visits, especially to UCD have made me think about vet school again. It's been a long time since I considered that (maybe high school?). Of course, then I remember why I never did the vet school thing, I don't get science. ("Damn it, Jim, I'm a technie not a scientist.")

Okay, I'm rambling.

Whew! Talk about an emotional rollercoaster.

I think I need to go decompress.

-hgs

I am thankful Risa is asleep at my feet...

Risa is the first dog I got as an adult. I'd grown up with dogs, four over the years: T.K. (German Shepard), Princess (mutt, still have no idea what she was), Putt-Putt, and Kuma (both Akitas that I used to show), but Risa is my first grown-up dog. We also have Orion, who is 3 years younger than Risa. So both of them are really my babies. That's probably why I was so upset when the events of September 6 hit. Not that losing any of the other dogs was particularly easy, but I think Risa and I have a bond.

On September 3, Labor Day, Risa stops eating her dinner. She's always been a picky eater, so maybe she didn't like the kibble anymore. Over the course of the next few days, she only picked at her dinner. Finally, on Thursday the sixth I suggested we contact the vet, something just didn't feel right. She had developed a limp, we thought it might be circulation, she had eye surgery and a tonsilectomy in July and her breathing after that seemed strange. So, we brought her in for the lack of appetite. Everything checked out normal, except the doctor noticed what felt like a lump on her throat, DH had noticed it earlier in the week, but we couldn't tell if it was abnormal or just part of the TONS of fur around her neck. The doctor took a few x-rays and found a spot on her lungs and an enlarged heart. I started crying when we saw those x-rays. The doctor asked us if she could keep Risa the rest of the afternoon, to do an ultrasound and talk to the internist in their office about what could be going on. The call we received later in the day was one of the hardest I've ever received and certainly not what we expected when we brought her in in the morning. They found a tumor in Risa's heart, which they diagnosed as hemangiosarcoma, a very aggressive type of cancer that could take Risa away from us in 4-6 weeks. They believed lump in her throat was probably a thyroid carcinoma and the spot on the lung could be metastasized from either one. Also, her heart was enlarged because the tumor was causing the pericardial sac around her heart to fill and not drain. They "tapped" her heart and took out A LOT of fluid. When we picked Risa up later that evening she was bouncing around like such a happy girl. I don't think either of us had noticed she had little energy. When we got her home, she devoured her dinner.

Over the course of the afternoon, while waiting for results was such an emotional rollercoaster. I was crying on the couch and flashed to an 11 year old girl 30 years ago who had just been told her companion TK would never come home. I think the screaming sobs were probably the same.

So, we walked out of the vet with the belief we had been given a death sentence, that all we should do is make Risa comfortable and enjoy her last days with us. She has been a faithful companion for 10 years. We started reminiscing about her quirks: how when she used to chew nylabones, she would chew pieces off and spit them into piles; how before Orion came along, she would "sample" her dinner... take 3 kibbles out of her bowl, bring them into the living room, spit them out, eat them one-by-one and then eat the rest of her dinner later; how she likes to unstuff toys (Orion does that too)... you get the idea.

Then, over the weekend, DH had an epiphany and started researching supplements. He put her on a regimen of antioxidants/carotenoids and omega oils. We also started talking about seeing a holistic vet and possibly an oncologist. Our primary vet also asked us to check in on a weekly basis.

We got to the holistic vet first, who just happened to be our old vet. Very cool. Risa was put on Chinese herbs to break up the tumor and control the bleeding in the heart-based tumor. She also started acupuncture. She's okay with that, as long as the needles aren't in her paws. Of course, she hates her paws to be touched anyway. The doctor also recommended a no/low-carb diet and told us that our little "fire dog" would do well with a celery, spinach, broccoli, and even a few carrots. (Carrots are good for the antioxidant properties, but have tons of sugar in them.) We experimented with a mixture of ground beef, celery, carrots, and spinach. We've moved her from beef to ground turkey and will try some red chard this week. Also, in talking her symptoms over with the doctor, we realized her limp back in June could have been a result of her enlarged heart. No proof, but she hasn't limped in some time,

At this point it's still an emotional rollercoaster, but have some hope that we can make her comfortable and maybe even stop the progression of the tumors.

So then we meet an oncologist. She explains how she would treat this if it were only the thyroid cancer (radiation, I think) and that there aren't many treatment options for the evil hemangiosarcoma. As we're talking she remembers a recent case where the dog had a heart-based tumor that ended up being metastatic thyroid cancer, not hemangiosarcoma. She explains a radiation test and treatment that sounds a bit "farout", but we were willing to pursue the test. UC Davis does the test, we would have to contact them.

So, we take her to UCD on September 26. Before doing the tech scan, they want to examine her, basically do the same tests, and a few more, as our vet did on September 6. So throughout a nerve-wracking day Risa was re-evaluated, they also took her to cardiology for an echocardiogram to see if they could get any info on the damn tumor there. Here's what we got:

they were able to confirm thyroid carcinoma in her neck (they successfully took cells from it); they drained her pericardial sac again and sent it for analysis (cancer cells were present, but they couldn't tell what type); the images of the heart-based tumor indicate it is more solid than they would expect a hemangiosarcoma, so it may not be, but there is no way to confirm this without a sample and that can't be done. So, while we could do the tech scan, they said it could be inconclusive because the metastatic tumors might not respond. They recommended surgery to cut a "window" into her pericardial sac so that the fluid could drain into chest for reabsorbtion, rather than buildup. We've been discussing whether it's the right thing to do and decided that it is. Risa is still here, she bounces across the room in her puppy way, she plays with her sister, she's clearly not ready to go. If we don't do the surgery, the fluid builds up, requiring periodic "taps" which are neither recommended as a best practice, nor fun.

We scheduled the surgery for October 10, one day short of five weeks from her original diagnosis. We bring her up to UCD on October 9 and meet with the surgeon. He explains what the plan is and that they want to keep her in ICU, the soonest we can pick her up is Friday. We spent three nights without her. Orion has never been the only dog at home and I think it was weird for her. She got lots of extra attention and treats, she was loving it. I think she sensed something about Risa, though... on Thursday morning I found her sleeping in one of Risa's spots, where she doesn't usually sleep.

The student on the case updated us that the surgery went well, Risa was in the ICU, her breathing was a bit heavy, they did a chest xray and found nothing unusual. We could pick her up Friday at 5 pm.

IT TOOK US OVER THREE HOURS, almost four, TO GET TO DAVIS!!! We thought we had given ourselves enough time. We had built in extra time to account for crappy weather and people wanting to get out of town on a Friday afternoon. But the weather REALLY SUCKED (I've only seen rain that heavy in Pennsylvania) and there were a few accidents. We get there to find out the doctor and the student were in emergency surgery. So, we didn't get Miss Risa until 7 pm. She was SO EXCITED to see us. She was bouncing and trotting and barking like crazy. By her behaviour you couldn't tell that she had just had MAJOR SURGERY 48 hours ago. However, you could tell from the funny shaving patterns and the netting that she was wearing, that caused DH to observe that she looks like an Asian Pear (they have netting around them in the store).

We spoke to the doctor and the student. She hadn't been eating, that doesn't surprise me, she's picky and has been eating home-cooked meals. She won't even eat plain kibble anymore, if it doesn't have cooked food, it needs cottage cheese. The surgery went well, we can take her to have her stitches in 10-14 days. The doctor touched the tumor and found it more solid than a hemangiosarcoma, so more confirmation that it probably isn't that evil thing. He told us what to watch for and sent us home.

So we got home to an excited and hungry Orion. We fed the dogs, Risa ate it all, picky picky. She has a t-shirt on right now, I'm concerned she's going to scratch her stitches and pull them right out. She's happy to be home, she went right to one of the blankets that she's claimed as her own and went to sleep. (She sleeps a lot since the diagnosis.) When I came into my office to check email, she followed me and curled up under my desk, at my feet. So, given everything that has happened in the last five weeks and one day, I am extremely grateful that she is here asleep at my feet.

kinda funny....

So, one night I'm working a Sudoku puzzle while listening to a Giants game and an ad comes on for some mortgage lender.  One of those questionable companies where they claim they have the best rate.  Well, I'm working my puzzle, not really paying attention to the ad, when I stop and write down what was said, "They put your interest first..."

Well OF COURSE they do, silly, they're a mortgage lender.  They frontload the damn interest in the early payments so I'm paying more to them than against my principle.

Okay, I thought it was funny.  :)

CNN Breaking News - NOT!

Wow, there is a verdict in the Padilla case, that should have just been delivered. And the breaking news story is that Jenna Bush is engaged to be married?!?!
Are you freaking kidding me!?!?! Going to cnn.com (waste of time) shows the Padilla story as a developing story (with a yellow banner) and the "breaking news story" in a red banner. Sorry, some girl getting married, even if she is the daughter of tstbp, is not breaking news over the Padilla verdict.
It may be news if she's preggers or marrying a woman since that flies in the face of republican "family values", but still...

Argh! Our priorities are so messed up!

-----Original Message-----
Sent: Thursday, August 16, 2007 11:04 AM
Subject: CNN Breaking News

-- President Bush's daughter, Jenna, is engaged to be married, the White
House says.

The problem with George Bush

I just figured it out!  I know the problem with George Bush!
Check out the headline at http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070710/ap_on_go_pr_wh/bush, it reads,

"Bush stands behind current Iraq policy".

Isn't it true that when you stand behind something, you're afraid of or trying to hide from something?

What is he hiding from?  What is he afraid of that he has to stand behind a failed Iraq policy?

Whose Government is it Again?

Abraham Lincoln, The Gettysburg Address, November 19, 1963, Gettysburg, PA:

"...government of the people, by the people, for the people,..."


George W. Bush, in response to a question about the looming no-confidence vote on Attorney General, Alberto Gonzalez, June 11, 2007, Sofia, Bulgaria:

"Yes, it's an interesting comment about Congress, isn't it, that, on the one hand, they say that a good general shouldn't be reconfirmed, and on the other hand, they say that my Attorney General shouldn't stay. And I find it interesting. I guess it reflects the political atmosphere of Washington. And they can try to have their votes of no confidence, but it's not going to determine -- make the determination who serves in my government."

Whose government is it Mr. Bush?  It's your Administration, but it sure ain't your government.
Please read the Constitution of the United States, a document you swore to uphold and defend.  You've done neither.  Please understand the separation of powers, all power is NOT VESTED in a single executive.  Your power to execute treaties and nominate public officials, among others, is with the ADVICE and CONSENT of the SENATE.  They have every right to not reconfirm a general or to issue a vote of no-confidence on the AG.

Signed,
One VERY PISSED OFF "lucy"

Tancredo on Roe

From DH:

When I couldn't sleep last night, I watched some event that most of the Republican candidates were at. They took their turns speaking. The scariest comment of the night came from Mr. Tancredo: "I oppose Roe. I promise to free women from the bondage of legalized abortion."

My response:

Tom Tancredo is frickin' scary.  I don't feel that I'm in bondage over having a choice of what to do with my body.  However, if I am forced to do something with my body that I don't want to, then I may feel like I'm in bondage.

I admit it...

This is pretty funny and I'm posting it here since MySpace doesn't seem to like it.
I've always said I was a computer nerd, here's proof. It said the average for gals is 38 and for guys is 56. Woohoo! I'm above average.

Oh no he didn't say that!

From SFGate:

"Democratic presidential candidates on Wednesday rebuked Republican rival Rudy Giuliani for suggesting that the United States could face another major terrorist attack if a Democrat is elected in 2008. The former New York mayor did not back down."
(emphasis added)

Questions:

Q: Who was President of the US on September 11, 2001?
A: George W. Bush

Q: What is George W. Bush's party affliation?
A: Republican

Q: Where was Rudy Giuliani on September 11, 2001?
A: Doing damage control after the World Trade Center was attacked.  (Probably the only thing he did right during an otherwise dismal turn as mayor of NYC.)

Q: What is Rudy Giuliani's party affiliation?
A: Republican

Q: Any more questions?

And they're afraid we'll have another terrorist attack if a Democrat is elected?

WOW!

Hummingbirds

My father passed away 25 years ago this August. It was 5 weeks before my 17th birthday. It was sudden, a heart attack in his sleep.

He is buried in Colma, a town just south of San Francisco. The local joke is that there are more dead people than living people in Colma.
(Colma became the town for burials after San Francisco outlawed burials within the city limits in 1900 and all bodies were exhumed by 1937. You can read a real brief history of Colma here).

My Dad and I were close, so it was only natural that on the morning of my wedding, I go up to Colma (20 minute drive) and talk to him.

Colma is one of those towns on the San Francisco Peninsula that is usually very foggy and cold. In the, at the time, nearly 15 years I had been visiting him, I usually had to dress warmly. There were a few sunny days, but that was the exception, not the norm. (On one particularly cold and foggy day, they turned on the sprinklers as I sat there.)

So, the morning of my wedding I head up to Colma, and it's a beautiful day. The sun was out, there was no fog to be seen. I sit down on the ground and talk to my Dad and meditate and do whatever. The next thing I know, there are two hummingbirds flitting about the nearby hedge. Not only in those nearly 15 years had sun been a rarity, but I never saw hummingbirds there. And I've seen no hummingbirds in the 10 years since.

That, to me, was a message from my Dad, that he was blessing my marriage. Looking back on what we've been through in the last 10 years, it's nice to know that he might be watching out for us. I get chills every time I think about that morning and probably will for the rest of my life.

CNN Breaking News... HA!

>>>Subject: CNN Breaking News
>>>-- Larry Birkhead is the father of Anna Nicole Smith's baby, a court
in the Bahamas rules. Birkhead said he hopes to have custody soon.

Oh I am SO GLAD this was breaking news. I've been on the edge of my
seat for days knowing they were releasing this info today.

NOT!!!

Like there's nothing else going on in the world that they need to track
the baby daddy of some tragic playboy bunny gold-digger.
Dear god, that child is destined for a tragic life. (Christina Onassis
anyone?)

Okay let's see:
war in Iraq and Afghanistan (remember that one?);
impending war in Iran;
delegations to Syria and North Korea;
murders on the streets of Oakland, San Francisco, and other cities;
the destruction of the middle class;
hell, even Imus's comments about the Rutgers Women's basketball team and
the ensuing firestorm.

UGH!

</soapbox>