Various ramblings

Crazy thought enters head (concerning things esoteric): "You really believe all that stuff, don't you?"

Immediate answer: "yes'.
More thought out answer: "Some of it (well, the part I think is ok, anyway)".

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In other news, we haven't gotten the pathology results for Sithreal back yet. I'm extremely gun shy at the moment, since last time I thought I would get an "It was an abscess" or at worst, "It was a localized skin cancer". So this time I really do want to get a "No evidence of cancer". Even if results are clear, the oncologist may recommend chemo. I need to research this and be sure i know what to do. I don't want to compromise his immunity too much more unless it's deemed life-threatening not to.

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I just got good news in the political spam box:

"After such a long drought in federal leadership on renewables, we find ourselves pleasantly surprised by Congress' newfound love for the sun. Congress just passed an economic recovery package that makes good on Obama's promise to unleash the economic development engine that is clean energy. Nearly all of the solar provisions on the table made it into the final bill. Serious kudos to our hard-working friends at SEIA who traversed the halls of Congress until the 11th hour, and to all of our members who chimed in online to make their voices heard. Click here to read about the solar provisions in the bill. http://salsa.democracyinaction.org/o/1179/t/5839/blog/comments.jsp?key=538&blog_entry_KEY=23317&t= . The recovery package will immediately spur job creation along each link in the solar supply chain- from PV panel manufacturers to solar hot water system installers. Next up on the federal solar agenda - a Renewable Electricity Standard. We are working to ensure that this important policy tool effectively deploys solar from coast to coast. As always, we will be counting on you to help deliver the message. Stay tuned, it may only be February, but it's already shaping up to be a great year for solar victories. Onwards, Annie + Vote Solar Team"

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In other other other news, I've fallen in love with this Greek song (which had it's origins in the Greek underworld scene of the 30s): Alexandriani Felaha (Alexandrian Country Girl):

( lyrics, pronunciation guide, and translation of Greek song )

Results (Sithreal Update)

The pathology results for Sithreal were all clear. No sign of cancer anywhere, lymph nodes clear. Yay.

Cautious, though, because the vet still wants us to consult with the oncologist to see if there should be chemotherapy. My answer to them is no, considering what I just read in that link. Major points:

1. He's all clear, so if he got chemo, there's nothing there to kill except healthy cells (already killed a number of those with surgery).

2. The course of treatment is usually 12 to 15 weeks. The specific length varies but that's the average. Maybe for cases like this it's shorter, but even, say, 7 weeks is WAY too long. Two weeks would be the maximum acceptable length I'd be willing to put him through, if even that.

If he had an inoperable tumor somewhere or if it had spread to the lymph nodes, then maybe. But he has no sign of it anywhere now. 12-15? Forget it.

3. Side effects: Nausea, toxic to bone marrow.

So. For 15 weeks they want to give my cat something that is toxic to BONE MARROW??? Good bye all his white blood cells, hello thrombocytopenia, which is what Ookie died of. He could die of secondary infections due to lack of immunity faster than a recurrence would kill him. In the immortal words of someone I used to know, "Home girl don't think so."

4. Cost

According to this link, the cost is expensive, since they use the same drugs as for humans and the same types of specialists. I get the feeling I'd be paying them to weaken/kill him. I think he'll be fine without it.

If I truly thought it would help him, I'd do it, but I do not think it will help him or increase his chances of a good life at all.

5. Quoted directly from the website: "Finally, it is important for the owners of dogs and cats receiving chemotherapy to realize that cancers we treat are rarely cured. Almost all of our patients ultimately have recurrence of their cancers."

So I'm supposed to give him something that is going to fail anyway...

Something that will kill the natural immune system so badly that my cat will be unable to fight off anything whatsoever, let alone cancer.

Just...
No.