Surgery a no-go once again

Just a quick update on the state of my "wound."  I saw the plastic surgeon again today.  Three weeks since I last saw him & a course of Cipro and nearly 10 days of 2 different IV antibiotics, administered at home by me later.  Wound looks good, but still not ready for surgery.  Apparently there's still too much dead tissue.  WTF??  Anyway, I go back in 2 weeks.  Hopefully I can get the infectious disease doctor to talk directly to the plastic surgeon and get this damn show on the road.  It's getting old.  I'm really ready to find someone willing to chop the damn thing off so I can get back to my life.

The “adventure” continues…………………….

Well, I haven’t checked in lately, even though I’m still home and haven’t yet returned to work. A little cyst has turned into a really big deal. The doctor decided, when I left the hospital, not to put me on any antibiotics although I had a HUGE wound area. For you ladies with smaller breasts: BE GRATEFUL! It is really a blessing.

I developed both a yeast infection and pseudomonas. I was put on a topical antibiotic, gentomycin, and mycolog. They worked for a while and then the pseudomonas came back with a vengeance. Next round of antibiotics was Cipro pills for 5 days. It started working, but the doctor decided to keep me off anything else for a week. The next culture turned up MRSA, pseudomonas and strep. Now I’m on IV antibiotics (2 of them) which I administer myself. It’s actually pretty cool. The meds are in little round balls, like small grenades. I just have to hook them up to my IV and let them run their course. The good news is that they are working.

I see the plastic surgeon on Wednesday and hopefully the area will be ready for skin grafts. This all began on August 12 and I am actually looking forward to more surgery. I want my life back, even though it wasn’t all that exciting to begin with. Like my cats, I am not a creature who relishes change. I like routines, I like things to be planned/scheduled in advance, I like to know just what to expect, what’s around the next corner. And I want to be able to sleep with my cats again. I miss the snuggles. As it is now, I have to be extremely careful when I pick them up and they sit on my lap so they don’t inadvertently scratch my wound area. And I miss going to work.

With the daily hyperbaric treatments, I’m gone from 9 – 2 or even later if I run errands while I’m out. I don’t have much energy, so even laundry and litterboxes wear me out. Cooking isn’t even an option most days, so I’m still relying on microwave meals. I still don’t have the time or the energy to tackle all the things I could never get to when I was working. Then on the weekends, the home health care nurse comes in to change my bandage. It’s the only time that I can actually SHOWER! The rest of the week I can only take “sponge” baths because I’m not able to dress the wound myself. All in all, this has been a frustrating experience.

Chaz has malignant tumors in his ears, which are inoperable. He is still hanging in there and eating, but not as much as I would like. He has started grooming himself again, which is a positive sign that he is feeling somewhat better. It’s only a matter of time, but that’s the case with each of our critters. Their lives are way too short, regardless of how long they live.

Caleb, my oldest dog, also has had an ear infection and has been a nightmare to medicate. My friend, Barb, has been coming over to hold him for me so that I could put the meds in his ears. Caleb is normally the most docile dog ever, but he bucks and squirms and snaps when we try to get the meds in his ears. It’s never fun nor easy to treat sick critters, but when you are sick yourself, it is even worse.

Hopefully all of this will be over very soon and I can pull out my soapbox once again and start railing against the evils which exist in this world. I’ve missed commenting on this crazy election season and just leave the room when the bombardment of political ads comes on the television. I am so sick of them and how our political system works. While I think serious character flaws need to be exposed and become public knowledge, the candidates should be talking about issues that affect the everyday lives of people. Of course, the primary reason they don’t is because most of them don’t give a damn. They just want to get elected and then serve their Masters, the corporations who funded their campaigns. If only the electorate would simply FOLLOW THE MONEY, maybe we would have better people in Congress and other elected offices. But politicians win when the electorate is under educated, which is why the U.S. educational system is underfunded and falling apart. We’ve become a nation of sound bites and witty retorts to gather our information, instead of looking behind the curtain (there ain’t no Wizard of Oz). No single person can solve the problems our nation and our world are facing. We’re all in this together and the boat is sinking. Grab a bucket and start bailing, folks or we’re going to sink. It’s up to each and every one of us to save the world.

I'm back!!!!!!

I haven’t made a blog entry in quite a while. At least for part of the time, I do have a good a excuse.

This year has been a challenging one for me. I checked into the hospital on January 1st due to getting bitten by Claudia, one of my rescued cats, after I had stepped on her in the dark. I don’t blame her for reacting in that manner………..I could have seriously injured her. While in the hospital a number of friends stepped in to take over my daily duties of letting the dogs out, feeding the herd of critters and cleaning litter boxes. That stay didn’t last terribly long and I returned home in about a week.

Then in February I had to euthanize sweet, goofy little Clark. The following month I lost Charlotte unexpectedly, another sweet little kitty. Charlie, another cat, was losing way too much weight so he went to the vet. The wonderful folks at The Cat Hospital of Orlando, in Altamonte Springs, saved his life and he’s gradually putting some of his weight back on. His brother Chaz wasn’t looking too good, so he went to The Cat Hospital. He was suffering from ear problems and needed the rest of his teeth pulled. Due to the expensive visits for both Charlotte and Charlie, I chose to wait awhile before proceeding with another major expenditure. In late July, my oldest cat, Cammie, who had been declining over the past year, finally reached the point of no return. I took her in to be euthanized. 2010 was shaping up to be a pretty rotten year for me and my critters. Chaz is currently back at The Cat Hospital being treated for tumors in his ears and recovering from the teeth extractions. We’re waiting for a histology report to determine the next course of action. Keep your fingers crossed that his tumors are benign.

On August 12th I noticed a cyst in my right breast. I’ve been prone to cysts, mostly under my arms, since I was in college. Over the years only 2 had to be lanced and drained. The others generally resolved themselves after some pain, discomfort and aggravation for me so I didn’t get concerned over this latest one, although it was in a previously untouched location. By Monday, the 16th, I knew I needed to see a doctor. This was different. Nearly half of my breast was inflamed and the pain was approaching unbearable. My primary care physician wasn’t available and the doctor her office referred me to couldn’t see me for 4 days. I decided to go to Centra Care. The doctor there chose to lance the cyst and put a wick in it so that it would drain. I was instructed to return on Saturday. As the days passed, the inflammation continued to spread along with the pain. I called Centra Care on Wednesday and was assured that since I wasn’t having other symptoms (fever, chills, shortness of breath) that Saturday was fine for a return visit. After talking to them again on Thursday, I decided to go in early. A new doctor took one look at my breast and told me to head to the emergency room and let them know that I needed surgery – STAT!

I chose to go to Florida Hospital this time, for two reasons. My diabetes doctor is across the street from the hospital and affiliated with them and, as a Seventh Day Adventist hospital, they – once upon a time – had a great cafeteria with terrific vegetarian food. Boy, was that decision a bad one. I couldn’t get my nurses or any of the many attending physicians to call my endocrinologist and the food was the worst that I’ve ever eaten – including college food service slop. In fact, it took 4 days and conversations with several nutritionists and food service administrators to even get vegetarian food served to me. I ended up eating a lot of cereal and salad. A friend brought me microwaveable soup, non-rancid cottage cheese and homemade spaghetti with marinara sauce to give me decent food to eat.

I had my first surgery on Friday, Aug 20th and my fourth surgery on Wednesday, Sept 8th. All of the skin on my breast was removed. Sometime, in the near future, I will have to go back into the hospital for reconstructive surgery and skin grafts. This will be done by a plastic surgeon. I never, ever expected to employ the services of a plastic surgeon. Plastic surgery to me is most often a ridiculous exercise in vanity in an attempt to disguise the inevitable march of time. We all get older, get wrinkles and sagging. No one is 18 forever. Any man who expects his wife/girlfriend to look the same and remain youthful year after year isn’t a man worth keeping around. GET A CAT or even a dog. They will remain loyal, continue to love you regardless of how many wrinkles you develop or how far things slide as gravity drags everything down to your ankles.

While much of this 23 day experience was a nightmare, there were three very bright and wonderful things to be grateful for. First and foremost, I have a terrific group of friends. Led and organized by Sandra Rogers, who set up a schedule for folks to come to my home and care for my cats and dogs. Someone came daily to let the dogs go outside, scoop out litter boxes, shop for supplies and feed the ravenous herd. This was on top of very busy schedules for these folks: many work full time, some are taking classes, others have lots of outside interests from running to organizing/coordinating animal rights activities/protests, working with feral cats, whether trapping, caring for colonies or helping others get traps or schedule appointments for spay/neuter surgeries, plus caring for their own group of cats and/or dogs. Additionally, nearly all of them live 15 – 20 miles from my home. Please give Sandra, Carla, Elie, Marcy, Nancy, Melissa, Judy, Aaron, Diane, Barbara, Laurel & Paula a standing ovation. Upon my return all but two or three of my furry monsters seemed not to have missed me at all. Apparently I’m more easily replaced than I thought. Of course, cats are notorious for carrying a grudge when they feel they’ve been deserted. All of them have since come around.

The other thing that I’m grateful for are the wonderful staff of the Hyperbaric Oxygen group at Florida Hospital. These folks give each patient personal, caring treatment. They are concerned for your well being and recovery. They should be held up as models to the rest of the hospital staff as examples of how to interact with patients, make them feel like a person and not just another number. These folks work well together and seem to enjoy their jobs. Regardless of the how my day had gone so far, I always felt better once I arrived there for my daily treatments. Even after my release from the hospital, I’ve continued with my treatments each week day.

Probably mostly due to the near hunger strike I was on, I managed to lose 23 pounds (a pound a day) while in the hospital. Now I just need to lose the other 70 that will get me into a relatively normal range for my height. I wasn’t permitted to smoke while in the hospital and withdrawal wasn’t easy. I had more than a few temper tantrums and crying fits, but survived. Since leaving, I’ve fallen off the wagon but am determined to quit after 42 years of inhaling a pack a day. I could use the extra money and I know I’ll feel better and recover more rapidly without smoking. It will be tough, but I will do it this time. I’m back on the patch and haven’t smoked more than a few cigarettes a day since putting the patches on. I also plan to do better about blogging on a more regular basis.

Environmental Outlook: Intelligence Under the Sea | The Diane Rehm Show from WAMU and NPR

Environmental Outlook: Intelligence Under the Sea The Diane Rehm Show from WAMU and NPR

We've come a long way. I began working on my degree in zoology in 1969. At that time ethology, the study of animal behavior, was in its infancy. There were very few women in the biological sciences. Jane Goodall had recently been sent to Gombe by Dr. Louis B. Leakey to study chimpanzees in their natural habitat. The male scientists of that time were appalled that a young, untrained woman was sent to "do a man's job" and she was doing the unthinkable, in fact something blasphemous - she was NAMING the "objects" of her study. The breakthroughs she made both during her time in Gombe and afterwards have served to change the face of science and how we view the other animals with whom we share this planet. This is no better illustrated than by this incredible interview from The Diane Rehm show. Four women scientists, specialists in the study of cetaceans (dolphins and whales) talk about these marine mammals, touching on behavior, interaction within the species, as well as strong statements against keeping these amazing intelligent beings in captivity. Listen to the show.

Old music is the best music

I grew up in the 50s & 60s.  I think most people always appreciate the music that first touched their lives, no matter how much music changes over time.  Each generation has their own type of music and mine are those of the 50s & 60s. 

Today on NPR's The Changing World the story is The Greatest Songs of The World.  The first they covered was Stand By Me, by Ben E. King.  The story itself is incredible.  You can listen to the show here:
The Greatest Songs of the World

I was surprised to learn that John Lennon covered Stand by Me.  Here's the official video from You Tube: John Lennon's version   And here is Ben E. King singing Stand by Me:  Ben E. King

And this version, which I saw on Bill Moyers' Journal is also on You Tube:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Us-TVg40ExM

The next song covered is The Lion Sleeps Tonight.  Here is a video of The Tokens singing this song:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_LBmUwi6mEo

Of course now whenever I hear this song I think of Brian Orser, the incredible Canadian ice skater, doing a routine to this song.  I must say it's my favorite of all of his performances.  The one time I preferred him over Brian Boitano. 

Hope these songs make you feel as good as they make me feel. 

FOCUS

I’ve been experiencing an increased difficulty in focusing lately. I don’t know if it’s an age thing, the time of year or the excess of sensory input. My professional life requires me to handle a bit of everything – I often feel like Mikey from the old Life commercials. For those of you over 30 you may remember: the older brothers say “give it to Mikey, he’ll eat anything.” I often feel like, “give it to Connie, she’ll handle anything.” I wish that was true. I feel like I am fumbling “the ball” more often than running for the goal line and making that touchdown.

So this year has seen the death of two of my cats, the illness of another two, with a third pending. Add to that my getting involved with street cats/kittens again. I had “retired” from that part of my life because I had exceeded my limit……….too many critters to care for and an inability to say no. While dropping off a darling girl kitten for spay, I stuck my nose into a situation where 3 kittens were going back to the street after their surgeries. I am adamantly opposed to releasing kittens back on the street when there is the slightest chance they can be socialized and then get adopted. A side note here, expect a multi-part blog on why Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) is not only a good thing, but critically important. The little girl kitten was adopted by a nice young man who lives in the mobile home park. Her brother is being fostered by a wonderful young woman who works with me. And those 3 wild boy kittens are in my miniscule, single bathroom awaiting taming. And Sweets (the sweetest of the 3, hence the name) PURRED for me tonight. In my world, pretty much everything can be made alright by purrs. So, one of three is on his way to lap catdom. Two to go. It’s simply CATASTIC.

See what I mean about focus? I was listing the overload of incoming distractions/concerns I’ve been exposed to and went off track and expanded upon the kitten issue. Along with cat stuff, there has been the Deepwater Horizon oil well explosion and spewing oil into the Gulf of Mexico, not to mention the use of the toxin Corexit to disperse the oil. That has consumed me since April, much the same as the aftermath of Katrina did in 2005.

I want to green up my life and eliminate, as much as is humanly possible, plastics from my life. Rather difficult in what has become a plastic world. I’ve wanted to start growing some of my own organic produce, although I have TWO black thumbs. Botany was never my forte; plants seem to like me even less than I like them, although I seem to have a really green thumb when it comes to weeds. I’m sure I could make weeds grow just about anywhere. Tomorrow (this morning actually) I’m attending an Organic Gardening class. Keep your fingers crossed that I don’t cause root rot in all the plants in the nursery where the class will be held.

And, primarily due to our wonderful summer rains, I’ve been in an extraordinary amount of pain lately. Arthritis from car accidents and my own clumsiness flairs up when low pressure systems are approaching. The pain clouds my brain and makes everyday tasks nearly impossible to accomplish. And there was the hospital stay at the beginning of the year. I stepped on one of my cats, in the dark, and she – naturally – bit me. That resulted in an infection, causing an elevated concern because of my diabetes, which led to several days in the hospital.

Add to all of this, financial concerns. I am struggling to not use my credit cards. There was a time, a few years ago when I thought nothing of pulling out that plastic and purchasing whatever stuff I wanted. Digging out from under credit card debt is difficult at best and worse during these horrible economic times. And, I’m so tired of all of the stuff - most of it seemingly useless and unnecessary – surrounding me wherever I turn. I want, desperately, to simplify my life and unburden myself of things I don’t use, don’t need and no longer want. However, I don’t want to add to the overburdened landfills. Finding the energy, time, motivation and room to pull the stuff together for a yard sale has been impossible for me to accomplish.

So, with so much on my mind and in my life, I’ve opted for inertia. Where to start, how to start become the questions instead of just getting started, no matter where or what I choose. Just make a choice and do it. Instead, I sit here, at my computer and write about it at 3 in the morning. Sleep? What’s that? Maybe I should just start the laundry (and figure out how to get a clothesline put up in the backyard) and clean some litterboxes, load the dishwasher, rinse out the cat & dog food cans for recycling or even try going back to sleep for a few hours. I need to organize my brain and my life! FOCUS, I ain’t got it.

The Coming Collapse of the Middle Class

In January, 2008 Elizabeth Warren lectured on the coming collapse of the middle class.  Unfortunately those in power either weren't listening or simply didn't care about the people whose continued financial stability was critical for the health of our economy.  Ms. Warren was well aware of the warning signs of the pending collapse, while so many others were only focused on personal profits.  She is a brilliant champion of regular working people.  Support her appointment to the Consumer Protection Agency.  Tell President Obama that she is the person for this critical position.  And you can sign a petition for her appointment at this link:  http://act.boldprogressives.org/cms/sign/petition_warren/?source=auto-fb&referring_akid=.661617.GkR-BR