Close to my heart

Here you will find precious jewels close to my heart: the Cat, shoes, reading and a comfy bed.
I took this pic using a disposble camera two weeks ago so forgive the quality. If I could just explain :

1) I hope you understand why I saw a spark or two left in my tough ol girl. She always looks grumpy but here in this pic you can see that she's gained a little weight since January and doesn't she look ok to you? No outward sign of the Big L... and yet...

2) I love shoes! I wish I had a pair like these.

3) I must have a comfy bed to snore on!

4) The book. Reading is something I would never tire of. Reading blogs, newspapers, magz, books, lots and lots of books. This particular book came to me via a blog scheme where it's passed on to anyone - anyone in the world with a blog - willing to read, review, post a pic of it and then pass it on. This was forwarded to me by the wonderful Stacy of Stacy's Cafe.

So if any of you are interested in reading and reviewing and posting a pic of it on your blog, please let me know.

Here is my review of it:

Ars Memoriae by Beth Bernobich:
This is a fast-paced, adrenalin rush of a read, action packed sci-fi story that uses its novella status to get straight into the drama without pausing for breath.

Trouble is brewing between the empires of Austria and Eireann. It is up to Commander Dee of the Eireann Constabulary to untangle the intricate political minefield that if left could potentially mean a stronger more powerful Austria and a weakened Eireann.

Added to this hotbed of political intrigue is the creation of a time machine. Unfortunately for Commander Dee its creator has been murdered and it has fallen into the hands of an extremist.

If I am to find any criticisms then they are these. First, there is little scope for characterisation and you have to be very patient with the many factors and factions of the political scenario thrown in the mix. Secondly and most importantly for me, the full impact caused by the creation of this time machine on Commander Dee is hinted at but never explain or explored fully. I am guessing that there may be a sequel to this or perhaps I missed a prequel. Either way the titbits of time displacements that affect Dee are left dangling. Whereas the resolution of the main crux of the story is reached very neatly these little teasers are almost tossed aside.

But the overall plot is kept tight, the action as already stated is fast and furious, there aren't any wasted scenarios and it was a jolly good read too.

Lastly if you would like another quick read, here is a tiny snippet from the ever fabulous Theresa Milstein from the Substitute Teacher's Saga that she posted up for competition. As well as the lovely Susan Field's sneaky peaks of her novel.

Have a lovely Thursday.

The here and now

The day after and what is the first thing the Cat does?

She gets herself stuck between the wall and my bed.

How did I find this out?

She let out this godawful yowl – enough to wake up the dead and then some – at 5.30am this morning.

I find her little face squeezed in the gap her paw flaying in front of her in a bid to push her forward.

I pull the bed out. She wobbles out yowling.

And what does she do next?

She circles around the bed, a little unsteady on her feet, but onwards she goes, through the gap and out again.

I ask you. What am I supposed to make out of this behaviour? I’m like telling her to act incapacitated at least to make it easier for me, silly thing!

But you see that’s what’s so amazing about my tough ol girl. Lymphoma may have beaten her but by golly, she ain’t gonna take it lying down or make it easy for the Big L.

Or for me for that matter.

Why did she go through that gap? Because it was there.

:-)

My tough ol girl is home

She's home! Finally. My tough ol girl!

Unfortunately, I got the biggest hint yet from the nice vet Rachael that maybe, perhaps, if I think about it properly, perhaps, maybe, it's time to call Time. The Cat's lymphoma has reawakend and is now lodged in her brain.

Problem is I can't think straight or calmly. I'm too involved and it hurts too much. I've been down this road four times in my lifetime but each one never gets any easier.

For now The Cat is sprawled sausage like on her favourite spot.

Thank you all for your sweet comments and thank you Amy and the House of Cats for keeping her in your thoughts in your blog.

The cat and her nemesis - lymphoma

The cat is 17 years old. This is her story so far.

23rd November 2009:
She has a kidney removed - there is a tumour the size of a tomato attached to it. Her subsequent biopsy confirm she has lymphoma.

14-20th December:
She starts chemotherapy. For two days afterwards she is very sleepy and not eating but waking up only to drink water. On the third,fourth and fifth days she is suddenly bright, alert, eating and drinking. She is on antibiotics and steroid tablets. She eats them with her cooked chicken. On the sixth day she starts having diarrhoea. On the seventh day day she starts vomiting bile and her diarrhoea increases.

21st December:
She is due to have her second chemotherapy but her blood tests show that her white blood cell count is so below the lowest acceptable range she is in danger of becoming septic. Her chemotherapy is stopped. She is given fluids and antibiotics intravenously and kept in at the vets until 6 pm. She returns home. At first she seems ok. She eats a little, drinks then sleeps. From 1am she is meowing constantly and has diarrhoea and vomits more bile 4/5 times.

22-23rd December:
She is admitted to the vet hospital. I visit her for a few minutes and sneak in a tub of chicken for her. She is in a roomy cage with drips and wires attached to her paws. She is looking very bright and slightly annoyed. Next door to her is another cat looking shell-shocked. There is a scrawled note attached to the cage: "M, stray. Found under bridge next to pub. V. friendly".

24th December at 4.30pm:
She comes home.

25th-30th December:
She and I have a quiet and peaceful Christmas. We both eat well, sleep alot, potter around.

28th December:
She has more blood tests. Her white blood cells have returned! She is still very sleepy and at 4am wakes up, howls once, wets the duvet, howls a second time and ditto.

31st December:
Her blood tests show that her white blood cell count has stabilised. She is given chemotherapy dose at "half strength".

1 January 2010:
She howls a less ear-shattering howl but still wets the duvet.

2 January:
She has not eaten and is sleeping. She wakes up to drink water. Her haunches are thin but she spends a long time preening and cleaning herself. She rolls on her stomach when I pet her. She purrs, falls asleep. Later, I hear her eating. She vomits all this out. She drinks a lot of water and falls asleep.