A Golden Rx

Aren't we a pair?!

While I'm not happy about having a cold, I am happy about having Sedona to cuddle up with on the couch -- she's the best medicine!!

On another note, I actually had to "do" my hair today... A few pieces were sticking out here, a few there, requiring a quick slick down. Just another sign that it's all coming back.

Now, to finish my hot toddy and toddle off to bed.

  Pic o' the Day

Does it smell like winter, Dona? Or are you just breathing
the sweet smell of freedom after your stay in
doggie hospital?!

Late/Early Post

Up late, late with my post, and writing it in the early morning ...
All good in the household. Got  my girl all settled in. She has a zipper of staples running from one shoulder blade to the other, which will stay in for 10-14 days.

The wind is howling and I'm tired. Think I'm also catching a cold -- oy!

Happy Happy Joy Joy!

Sedona's comin' home!!!!!

Picture Perfect Weekend

But first an update on our golden girl: Received my evening call from OSU on Sedona and the vet student said she's doing well. They removed the drain today, which is a good thing. I'll be picking up her sometime tomorrow afternoon. It's been so weird without her and, in fact, it's the first time I've been alone in this house for more than 24 hours -- she's always here when I'm here. I can't wait to get her back home!!

Friday

My totally excellent and picture-perfect weekend (as much as it could be with out Sedona) began with wrapping up radiation on Friday. YAHOO!! Then out to dinner with my pal and sister in CBitch victory, Andrea. I have no snapshots from the evening except those saved in my head and maybe it's better that way! :-)

Saturday

I traveled to Lebanon and the Golden Lamb on Saturday where I met my big sis, Mary Ann, also a CBitch victor. We had a great time and lunch was wonderful. As we shopped the stores up and down "Main Street," we both spent more money than was logical, but, wow, it was fun!

Got up early Sunday morning and made my way over to the OSU stadium for the "Step UP for Stefanie" walk/run for breast cancer research. I believe they said there were 5,300 participants. It was damn cold and windy, but well worth the effort. Met one of my sister's in radiation and we walked the 2-miles together: rather symbolic given what we've both been through.

Sunday

I am tired from the busy weekend but energized by the prospect of not having to get up and go to radiation. :-)

And Life Goes On

Just received a call from David, the OSU veterinary student assigned to Sedona. David was happy to report that Sedona is doing well, ate a good breakfast, and had a nice little walk outside. He asked if I wanted to come over for a visit and I guiltily declined. I of course want to see my girl, but I also know her -- she'd be totally pissed if I stopped by then left without her. And, selfishly, I don't want to go over there and get all sad about not being able to take her home. So, instead of seeing my golden girl, I'm going to the Golden Lamb in Lebanon to see my sis, Mary Ann. It's  a good day to be inside somewhere warm and cozy like the Golden Lamb where two sisters can eat heartily and have a good natter.

Pic o' the Day

Two of my favorite girls!

Dona Update & T Minus Eight Hours

What I thought was going to be out-doggie surgery became something else. We went back to OSU this afternoon for the scheduled appointment and, wow, the place was rocking with dogs. This one woman was there with two miniature pinschers dressed up in Halloween costumes -- so embarrassing for those little fur-covered nerves. I should have taken a picture, but was a bit distracted. It was a long wait, but the doc finally called us back. After examining Dona, the doc said the necrosis was such that he wanted me to leave her at OSU overnight, do the surgery Friday afternoon then keep her through the weekend. I almost burst out crying. It is such a load that Sedona has to go through this because of irresponsible dog owners. Well, I knew the doc was recommending what was best for my girl, so she stayed and I went into work. As I drove in, my resolve to get this incident on record went from jelly to stone, and on my way home from work, I stopped by the Hilliard Po-Po Station and made my report.

I'm not trying to be vindictive, but the absurdity of the pit bull's unprovoked attack needed to be addressed. The attack this time was on my dog, what about the next time?

O.k., bosomunheit fans, at 7:50 a.m. I receive my last regimented treatment for the CBitch! The marathon is nearly over and then it's time to begin the full healing. Wow.

Pic o' the Day

I'm sure she's wishing she was on that couch right now
instead of in a kennel. Damn pit bull!

Path of Peace

Lot going on this morning in my not-so-naked noggin -- stuff that left me feeling like a frayed piece of rope. The attack on Sedona was like another thread snapping and I arrived at radiation feeling pretty low. Sitting in the otherwise empty patient waiting area was Kay, an 87-year-old breast cancer survivor and volunteer who comes in every Wednesday as support for those of us going through treatment. Well, I must have walked in there wearing my cares on my face because she reached out to take my hand, saying she was so glad to see me and asking how I was doing. I gave her the Reader's Digest version of Sedona's tale of woe then went off for my 20 seconds of cancer-zapping electrons. Afterward, Kay was there, just her. Now, the rational, practical part of me said I needed to rush home to Sedona, but my heart wisely counseled that what I really needed was to talk to this woman who God sat down beside me. We shared our stories, the sad ones and the happy ones. The more we talked the more the frayed rope began to mend. Kay didn't say anything profound, didn't reveal any unique wisdoms she'd collected over her eight-plus decades of life. So what was it about this exchange that made it so healing? I believe it was time. The intentional giving of her time and my willingness to slow down and receive it.

Sedona update: We went back into OSU Vet Center yesterday and after examining the wound, the doc said Sedona would need surgery to remove dead tissue resulting from necrosis. I can't believe the b.s. she's having to go through because of irresponsible dog owners! Surgery is Thursday at noon. Send a prayer up to St. Francis.

Pics o' the Day: A collage of pics from Monday and Tuesday and a couple more ...

Just home from the doggie hospital (L)
Doggie downer Tuesday (R)

Sedona's necrotized tissue.
Her head is to the left.

Our hero, Sheila, who rescued Sedona from the pit bull!

My Poor Baby Girl!

WARNING: the photos below are not for the squeamish!

I'm at the OSU Veterinary Medical Center. Sedona just got out of surgery. She's going to be o.k., but my girl was attacked during her evening walk by a pit bull. I was at work and my dog walker, Sheila, was just getting home with Sedona when the neighbor's female pit, who was off leash in her owner's front yard, dashed across the lawn and began mauling my golden girl!

Sheila, of course, stayed with Sedona until I got home. When I got there Sedona was moving around o.k., but she had a bad tear on her left ear and a deep bite/laceration between the base of her neck and shoulders. I changed out of work clothes and hustled her off to OSU. They had to stitch her ear and the wound on her back, which also required the insertion of two drain tubes. AGAIN, I warn you, the photos of her wounds are a bit gruesome.

There is much I want to say about those who choose to own pit bulls and the added responsibility they bear for that choice, but I'll save that topic for another time. As for now, all I want to do is gather up my girl and go home.

Sad Pics o' the Day :(

Sweet Sunday

A good day today. Beautiful weather. Impromptu visits with friends. A mostly completed list of chores. A good day today, too, because it launches me into next week, the FINAL five days of radiation!! Again, the first 25 treatments featured photon therapy. These final five are what they call a "boost." The big machine, which always maintained a discrete distance from my body, will come in close and emit powerful electron rays directly to the area where the tumor had been growing. I'm thinking if a negative skin reaction is to occur that it will be as a result of this round. That said, I'm staying positive and praying I see this through just as well as the first 25.

On another note, I've been thinking some about the future of bosomunheit. I've become rather fond of this blog, despite the reason for it creation. However there no longer will be day-to-day experiences with regimented treatment to report. Of course, my journey with the CBitch isn't over and, in fact, will be lifelong, but it certainly is going off in another direction (praise God). So, I will have to ruminate on how to go forward -- how to post creative or insightful content so as not to bore myself and those of you who kindly check in to see "wassup" in my life.

P.S. Below is a photo from one of today's impromptu friend visits. The other was with my BOW pal, Alice, which I totally neglected to photographically record ...

Pic o' the Day

With friends Jim & Kim Lynch. Their little boy, Brady,
was playing soccer on the fields by St. Brendan - just
a hop-skip away from my house.

In Service

I got up at 7 o'clock Saturday morning, a day meant for sleeping in. It was close to a miracle. But, I got up early for a good reason. A special mass, "A Morning of Reflection," at St. Brendan where members of the church who are involved in a ministry -- lectors, eucharistic ministers, ushers, musicians, etc. -- got together for worship and fellowship, followed by a breakfast and talk by Monsignor Eugene Morris from the Josephinum Pontifical College. He was very engaging and had a great sense of humor. It was good, too, getting to better know some of my fellow parishioners.

I hope that after next week, my final week of radiation, that I will have the energy and motivation to commit myself in new ways to service.

"As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace."
1 Peter 4:10

Pics o' the Day

These aren't the best, but you get the drift ...

Monsignor Eugene Morris

St. Brendan Parish Priest,
Fr. Bob Penhallurick