Burrell, my thoughts are with you, your sister, and all your family. Like everyone said, I'm glad this place is here for you and all of us in rough times. It really is a blessing.

And lisah, I don't think I ever expressed my condolences for your friends. If there's anything I can do, please let me know.

Maria, the neighborhood is collecting housewares, toiletries, and clothing for the family. If there's anything you have to donate, I'm sure we could arrange a pick up. Or, of course, if you want to come hang out in Bmore anytime we should totally do that!!

Huh. I just got my first actually useful message on LinkedIn -- an HR person from an impressive and exciting organization that is hiring.

Weird, that happened to me today too. Well, not from an impressive or exciting org but from an actual local software company that I've heard of.

Oh, Burrell, I'm sorry. I don't know what to hope for, except peace and strength to all of you. I'm glad we're here for you, even if it does make you cry sometimes.

I had a nice day, including a lovely visit with my niece. However my brother's bonehead dog (the big dumb beautiful male) had to have emergency surgery to remove a very long sock that was blocking his digestion. This in addition to the sock he barfed up on Sunday. This dog is so lucky his owners are wealthy enough to keep saving his life: this is the third time he's had to have surgery after eating something stupid.

Yay for advanced veterinary medicine, though.

Kate, I'm so sorry. That is shocking and sad.

Burrell, I really am wishing your sister and your family so much strength right now. I hope they can work and find something that will help her.

My mom is going in for a PET scan tomorrow to determine where her recurrence is at. There is a SLIM chance that the cancer is limited to the outside lining of her colon. If that is the case, there are two surgeons in Indiana that have worked on surgically removing it, following up with an internal dose of chemo and had some minor success.

However, if the PET scan shows that cancer has migrated elsewhere, the best case scenario will be to find a low dose of chemo that she can tolerate but will also slow her cancer down.

We're thinking positive. And my colonoscopy came back clean today, so that's out of the way.

Do we have a ruling on where American Horror Story discussion goes? Cable TV or Minearverse?

Cash, good to know about your colonoscopy and I'll keep your mom and family in my thoughts, too. fucking cancer.

Consuela, DOGS! sheesh! Makes me less irritated about my pup being bored and barky tonight anyway. She doesn't seem to be an eat random stuff kind of dog. yet anyway.

I think AHS talk went in Minearverse.

Did you remember any of the actual procedure Cash? I was totally roofied from turning onto my side on the gurney, to past the point where I put my clothes back on. I wanted to ask questions and see pictures -- for all I know, I did, but I sure didn't remember.

Here's hoping for better news for your Mom. ::crosses fingers::

Did you remember any of the actual procedure Cash? I was totally roofied from turning onto my side on the gurney, to past the point where I put my clothes back on. I wanted to ask questions and see pictures -- for all I know, I did, but I sure didn't remember.

Versed--or some form of Benzodiazapine, I believe. Which means the last thing I remember is telling the nurse I could taste it from the IV and then waking up in recovery. I know they took photos. I bet my GP could call them up and show them to me but I'm not that curious.

Definitely thinking positive, Cash.

This dog is so lucky his owners are wealthy enough to keep saving his life: this is the third time he's had to have surgery after eating something stupid.

My parents' dog used to eat rocks. A lot of rocks. Which totally show up on xrays. Very disconcerting.

So sorry, Burrell and Cash. Though yay yours was good at least, Cash!

I just booked Christmas tickets. Ended up being about $500 and 27,000 miles, but I started looking and thought it would be more like $1000 so I'm less grumpy.