Fr. Tony Update: Trying Times...
Must See Websites I've found...
Where to begin....
Yesterday we sailed through the pre-op appointment at Ruby hospital, and now await the surgery. I'm thinking there's a slight (if not really good) chance the surgery date will be moved up. Why? Well, when you consider everyone from the president of the hospital, former head of surgery, prominent eye specialist, a director of anesthesiology, and possible the head of the eye institute.... are all working to try and get the schedule changed. Crossing my fingers and toes we hear something soon.
After the pre-op appointment we made our way over to the cancer center. It seemed very clear Tony was going down hill. Between the increasing puffiness around his eyes, blurred vision, and overall feeling of crud, it was time to "do something". Blood was drawn and sent off to the lab, then Tony was escorted back to the chemo area to get an infusion (4 hours) of fluids and potassium. Thank you Dorothy and Dr. Craig's P.A. (Deirdre?) for all you did yesterday!!!
Dr. Craig popped in and we discussed a couple of options.... A) Get admitted to the hospital; B) Go home and pop some steroids for a few days. As we have not much faith in the cleanliness of the hospital, and the overworked nursing staff (thus making them unable to really care for our Tony as well as one would expect), the lack of sleep and not so great food, we opted for the steroids at home.
Tony popped his first steroids last night, and this morning he's moving around MUCH better! His vision hasn't improved, but the swelling around his eyes isn't that bad. He's now able to work on a sermon for Sermons That Work, and is planning to take the service on Wednesday evening! YAY!!!!! As much as the parishioners miss him being there, he misses being at the altar that much more.
So, I guess it's back to "GET THE CHASUBLE DONE". grin
Will report in as things progress.
MUST SEE WEBSITES:
Crafters For Critters is about simultaneously supporting handmade, independent businesses/crafters/designers/artists and rounding up money for animal rescue organizations. We use “crafters” as a sort of catch-all term for designers/artists/makers of things. We collect handmade/individually-created items and put them up for sale here. The proceeds are then donated to animal rescue groups.
KARE: (I believe this is the next group that will be the recipient of their fund raising)
Based in Michigan, KARE finds loving, adoptive homes for unwanted or rescued companion birds with people who are experienced in bird care or are eager to learn. They are a rescue and a temporary sanctuary facility for exotic birds.
Based in Michigan, KARE finds loving, adoptive homes for unwanted or rescued companion birds with people who are experienced in bird care or are eager to learn. They are a rescue and a temporary sanctuary facility for exotic birds.
EARTH FRIENDLY GOODS FOR GREEN LIVING
Saving the planet begins with you, by making eco-friendly purchases and conserving water and energy. Products are considered eco-friendly if they don't cause damage to the environment when they are produced or disposed of. Because there is no universal eco-seal of approval, consumers have to rely on labeling to determine if what they're about to buy is kind to the Earth.
Shopping Categories: Women, Men, Children, Baby, Footwear, Accessories, Skincare, Home, Food,& Nutrition, Fabric & Twine, Pets, Gift Ideas, & Certificates
Handmade Sterling Silver and Gemstone Jewelry:Necklaces, Anklets, Bracelets, Rings, and Pendants. Kim makes some lovely wire wrapped jewelry, well worth seeing, and quite affordable.
Humanity is sitting on a ticking time bomb. If the vast majority of the world's scientists are right, we have just ten years to avert a major catastrophe that could send our entire planet into a tail-spin of epic destruction involving extreme weather, floods, droughts, epidemics and killer heat waves beyond anything we have ever experienced.
If that sounds like a recipe for serious gloom and doom -- think again. From director Davis Guggenheim comes the Sundance Film Festival hit, AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH, which offers a passionate and inspirational look at one man's fervent crusade to halt global warming's deadly progress in its tracks by exposing the myths and misconceptions that surround it. That man is former Vice President Al Gore, who, in the wake of defeat in the 2000 election, re-set the course of his life to focus on a last-ditch, all-out effort to help save the planet from irrevocable change. In this eye-opening and poignant portrait of Gore and his "traveling global warming show," Gore also proves himself to be one of the most misunderstood characters in modern American public life. Here he is seen as never before in the media - funny, engaging, open and downright on fire about getting the surprisingly stirring truth about what he calls our "planetary emergency" out to ordinary citizens before it's too late.
If you've yet to see the film An Inconvenient Truth... well, what are you waiting for? CLICK HERE to buy the film. It's certainly a must for every DVD library.
The film won an Oscar the other night for Best Documentary Film. Thanks to Al Gore's tireless efforts, dedication and commitment to the issues addressed in the movie, we could all stand to learn how we can help.
Speaking of Al... Maybe he'll manage to win AGAIN in the upcoming presidential election? Ya think it might be time to "make things right". Stranger things have happened, aye?
95-10 INITIATIVE (DFLA) (Yeah, I know... very un-PC for a lot of folks, but it's always good to see both sides of the issues)
The 95-10 Initiative is a comprehensive package of federal legislation and policy proposals that will reduce the number of abortions by 95% in the next 10 years.
While both Democrats and Republicans talk about reducing the number of abortions, Democrats for Life of America offers real solutions to make this goal a reality.
With bold new ideas, sound research and policy arguments, the 95-10 Initiative contains proven policy suggestions to dramatically reduce the number of abortions in America.
95-10: A comprehensive plan that will reduce the number of abortions by 95% in the next 10 years by promoting abstinence, personal responsibility, adoptions and support for women and families who are facing unplanned pregnancy.
The 95-10 Initiative seeks to reduce the number of abortions in America through Federal, state and local efforts as well as support and encouragement to volunteers and dedicated people on the front lines helping pregnant women. Much attention has been given to ending abortion or keeping it legal. We believe that we must do more to reduce the abortion rate by helping and supporting pregnant women.
Preventing pregnancy is an important part of reducing the abortion rate in America. There are several ways to address prevention, but there is no clear consensus because of ethical, religious or personal reasons. There are several bills before Congress that address pregnancy prevention. While we have not endorsed a particular bill, we support finding the most effective way to reduce unplanned pregnancies. We cannot deny that abstinence is the only sure way to prevent pregnancy, but we also cannot turn our heads and pretend that our children are not engaging in risky behavior or the fact that contraception is not 100 percent effective. The Federal government has made a commitment to support prevention efforts and allocated a record $288.3 million in FY 2005 for family planning under title X. The program provides access to contraceptive supplies and information to all who want and need them. A priority is given to low-income persons.
The Federal government has not made that same commitment to those who wish to carry their children to term. We support helping pregnant women many who believe abortion is their only option. Congressman Lincoln Davis (D-TN) and Pro-life Democrats in Congress who share this same commitment will introduce the Pregnant Women Support Act, a comprehensive bill to provide support for pregnant women who want to carry their child to term. Some of the programs included are: establishing a toll-free number to direct women to places that will provide support and Pregnancy Counseling and Childcare on University Campuses, requiring doctors to provide accurate information to patients receiving a positive results from prenatal testing and counseling in maternity group homes, making the Adoption Tax Credits Permanent and Increase Tax Credit The legislation would eliminate pregnancy as a pre-existing condition, supports Informed Consent for Abortion Services, increases Funding for Domestic Violence Programs, requires the SCHIP to cover pregnant women and unborn children. It further provides free home visits by registered nurses for new mothers, incentives to reduce teen pregnancy and provides protection for pregnant college students who wish to continue their education.
Finally, we must protect our children by passing the Child Custody Protection Act, continue to promote Safe Haven laws and support funding programs as the Abandoned Infants Assistance.
CLICK HERE to learn more about the 95-10 Initiative. Maybe there's a "middle of the road" solution after all?
Thank you all for your continued prayers of support and well wishes.
DO stay in touch with Tony.
pitterpat
