National Lampoon's Vacation was on TV, and Youngest and I were sitting on the couch watching it, when I said, "The 80's had some good music." He nodded noncommittally, staring at the TV, where a young Anthony Michael Hall was paging through a nudie mag. Then he asked, "You know what would be *so* cool?"
"What?"
"If I could somehow travel back to the time of the 80's."
"Ah. Yeah."
"And if I had like, 80's clothes and all the 80's stuff, and knew how to talk like they did in the 80's."
"Mmhm."
"Because then, maybe I would know what it's like to like 80's music."
I have very sad news. Doug has osteosarcoma. It's a very aggressive form of bone cancer in dogs and literally has swollen his knee from nothing to huge in less than 2 weeks. He apparently has a fracture above the knee and is a ton of pain. To get rid of the pain, we're having his leg removed tomorrow. And then we'll be lucky if he lives another 4-6 months.
Ethan had a couple of huge cries today. I shed a few tears, which is extremely difficult for me, as I hardly ever cry. We gave Doug a bunch of roast chicken and skin tonight, which I think makes him feel pretty good. He has a fentanyl patch on his non-injured leg and has been given the NSAID Rimadyl. One can only hope these pain meds kick in tonight and keep on going through his surgery and recovery.
He had a series of x-rays today, including chest x-rays that did not yet show any metastasized tumors. This doesn't mean it hasn't metastasized; it just means they're not detectable yet (except through lots of bloodwork, which we're not going to do).
I just want Doug to have as little pain as possible for as long as he lives.
What's the first exhibit you visit at the zoo?
Elephants.
Our beloved dog Doug, who is now around 9 years old (we think), has a torn ACL in his right rear leg. It's awful. His confidence is shot, his morale is low, and he's in pain. We took him to the vet, who immediately referred him for surgery. I definitely don't think I know more than a vet does, but I'm all for other options than surgery for non-life-threatening injuries.
So, I did some research and found a Yahoo! group that discusses Conservative Management. I discovered a company (one of many) that makes prosthetics and orthoses for animals. So we've decided to have a stifle brace made for him from OrthoPets, in the hope that he can avoid surgery and start having the confidence to walk on his bad leg before he tears the ACL in the other leg.
Tonight we made a cast/mold of his leg and Brian will send it off to OrthoPets tomorrow. Hopefully, within a week we'll have his new brace. I was told that they usually start walking on it within 30 minutes of putting on the brace. I'm crossing my fingers.
If you joined the circus, what act would you most want to perform?
Setting free the elephants. The lions and bears, too. Pretty much all of the animals. Only not just setting them free - somehow magically restoring their lost habitats and returning them home, so they can heal up from the bullhook scars and other injuries that are all just part of being "trained" to entertain people.
After that? Maybe the trapeze.
Recently, I've been a lot more thankful for everything I have in life. I made a resolve a few months ago to stop complaining at work (harder than I thought honestly -- some of the stuff that goes in the ICU really tests me sometimes) and try to live an overall happier life. I think all of this is after something I remember harping to my mom about -- "Ma, I don't think I ever hear a positive word come out of your mouth." "Isn't what you're saying now negative too?" she rebutted. Smartass!
There is an amazing episode of "Batman: The Brave and the Bold" coming out this week, of which I've seen a preview. Neil Patrick Harris as the villainous "Music Meister" is simply brilliant. I had no idea he has such a fantastic singing voice. I think it is premiering on Cartoon Network tomorrow (Friday, 10/23, 7:30 p.m.) night.
I've been watching this because Ethan is obsessed with CartoonNetwork.com, and turned me on to this preview, which I viewed a couple of days ago with him.
Today is "Evaluate Your Life Day." So, tell us: how do you think you're life's going so far?
Clearly my li'fe does not ha've enough random apostrophes. Im telling' you, I think every'one needs more of them.
