Passing the time in a bedroom in Brooklin

Here's another post on behalf of my 10-year old nephew, Jackson. Someone find this kid a band!

Zack update...

Sheryl had The Dude fitted for a ‘cone’ yesterday since he was licking the area where he was almost eviscerated – sorry, accidentally cut.

He’s feeling quite sorry for himself and acting pouty and depressed. We had him sleep in our room last night – with Ben. Not a problem. Except Rocky kept on trying to open the bedroom door most of the night. He would have succeeded too, (he usually does) except TLATO had barricaded the door with a large cat stand. Even Rocky could not budge the door and the weight of the stand. But boy, did he try.

We both have headaches this morning thanks to his all night endeavours!

It's just like a Dr. Seuss tale...

The damn weedberg came back.

Have to find a way to move it into the channel where the current can take it to someone else’s shoreline.

We have a house showing later today – figures.

Meanwhile, I’m heading out to an address on Cowpath Trail north of Bobcaygeon. That really is the address. Cowpath…

PS. Came home to find that the weeds were no longer our problem. You're welcome, Carole and Bruce!

A disasterous day... Part 2

OK, so the word disaster may be a little strong, but this evening's event was the proverbial icing on the cake that was today.

One of our cats, Zack is prone to nasty mats in his abundant fur.

Earlier today, Sheryl spent some time removing a few from him.

Apparently she missed a doozy.

I was in the middle of preparing dinner and TLATO had found this massive lump of matted fur on Zack’s belly.

For particular stubborn mats we have taken to using a seamstress tool, a seam ripper. Very effective, yet razor sharp. Extreme care is always exercised.

So, we assumed our de-matting positions; I held the cat down and Sheryl picked.

As she was picking, I noticed a fleck of crimson on his white belly. It was blood. Neither Zack nor Sheryl was aware of what had happened. I looked more closely and observed a slice in his belly, about 3 inches in length. There was blood, but it was not bleeding profusely. To me, it looked as if stitches would be required.

It was a complete accident.

We called our vet and were referred to the emergency veterinary service – which tonight, was our vet’s practice, but not Dr. Jeff.

Sheryl was and is quite upset. Zack seemed unaware of his wound.

At the vet’s it was determined that Zack would be anesthetized and the wound would be cleaned up and up to 8 stitches applied.

The little bugger is staying overnight – once again.

Coincidentally, we take Ben in tomorrow for his shots and heartworm medication. All told, it’ll likely be an $800 bill between both animals.

As we’ve said before, these guys are a part of our family and we do whatever we believe is necessary and relevant when it comes to their health and welfare. Too bad they don’t seem to appreciate the lengths we seem to go to, some times. Oh yes, any other mats Zack has will be removed.

A disastrous day ... Part 1

I may well be a wanted man.

There is a possibility that the Ministry of Natural Resources, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and the Trent-Severn gnomes may well have a bounty on my head.

I innocently and inadvertently disturbed the hatching habitats of many fish, likely ending the existence of thousands if not millions of lives.

I fell into the lake face down and fully clothed, landing on recently laid and fertilized clumps of roe as they lay unsuspecting and totally unaware of their pending fate…

Early this morning as I let Ben out to take care of business, I glanced toward the lake, specifically at part of our shoreline. A large floating 'island' of bull rushes had detached it from some part of the shoreline and made its journey to the southern end of our lake. It decided to call it a day as it managed to lodge itself on one of the guy ropes of my still elevated dock.

Scratching myself and draining a double espresso, I declared I would move this object after I had showered and shaved.

As I walked in the drizzle to the water’s edge, I had a boat pole clutched firmly in one hand. Approaching the ‘weedberg’, which by now had attracted a couple of red wing blackbirds, I began to lengthen the telescopic pole. I found a firm spot on the ‘berg and pushed – hard. The island began to move. I found a better vantage point and stuck the pole into the roots of the ‘berg and gave a mighty heave.

It was at that precise moment that the pole decided to de-telescope.

I fell in. Fully clothed. An almost perfect belly flop (the Eastern Bloc judge might not have given a perfect 10).

The weedberg, propelled by an offshore breeze, decided to head back to shore as I scrambled over the lake bottom like some frantic creature from a B-movie of yesteryear.

In disgust, I walked up to the house. I was greeted by TLATO. “Wow, it’s really raining heavy now!”

She had not seen me wipe out future generations of assorted species of fish.

She did, however, wish she had and practically pulled a muscle from laughing so hard.

In truth, for the first swim of the year, the water was not as cold as I might have expected. I did, however, twist my lower back slightly and the shin on my left leg is looking quite raw and bruised.

Meantime, the fish continue to count their losses.

Thanks to Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre...

Yesterday, my Mum, Anne Davies underwent a major surgical procedure performed by Dr. Robert Maggisano, the head of Vascular Surgery at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre.

Maggisano had been monitoring the steady growth of an abdominal aortic aneurysm that had been discovered during some routine tests a few years back.

About two months ago we received the news we had all been expecting yet dreading. The ‘beast’ had grown to the point where the medical opinion was that it needs to be removed before it caused irreparable damage. Further, the possibility of performing a less invasive procedure was not going to be an option. This was to be major. An incision would be created from just under the breastbone all the way down to the pubic area.

Wednesday May 27, 2009 was the day.

We were all aware of the severity of the procedure and of the list of potential complications in the event Mum survived the surgery.

At around 6.00am, my five siblings, me and one of twelve grand children (and it was Alyssa’s birthday, too) descended upon the pre-surgery waiting area. Everyone was alert and the usual Taylor-style gallows humour was evident as Mum was prepared for admission and then for her surgery.

Maggisano had thought that us all being there to see her being wheeled into the OR would do wonders for her morale and inner strength. It was tough for all of us watching this suddenly frail woman with moist eyes and a forced smile being wheeled away from us down a long hall. Somehow we all managed to hold it together.

We had been advised that the procedure itself should take 4 – 6 hours. The surgery would commence at 7.45am – give or take a moment or two.

Slowly and wordlessly, hugging and touching one another, we shuffled to the patient waiting area of the Cardio Vascular Intensive Care Unit.

We spoke. We joked. Large families have special bonds. I’m the eldest. My youngest sister, Lindsey, is 12 years younger. We’re the closest and, in some ways, quite similar. Ever-present volunteers approached us with a coffee trolley. Only Lindsey and I wanted something – tea and cookies.

As the morning wore on, we each agreed this was good – the longer Mum was in surgery, in some ways, the better. At about 11.15am, Lindsey, Ross, Alyssa and me went in search of a place to eat some lunch.

Sitting at the table about to have soup and a sandwich, Lindsey’s phone rang. Almost as one, the four of us looked at each other anxiously and thought, “This can’t be good news…!”

Turns out there were two aneurysms. The smaller one was calcified. Both were safely removed and the repairs were done. Maggisano made the comment that the procedure was a little more “technical” than anticipated but all was well. The next few hours would be critical.

An hour later, Alyssa and I were the first to go into ICU to see Mum. She was, unexpectedly breathing on her own without assistance, but she looked so small, so vulnerable in a seemingly enormous bed surrounded by monitoring equipment and the best health care staff OHIP could provide.

She was awake, but was out of it. Her skin felt cold to the touch. Lights flashed intermittently. Digits changed constantly on a large LCD monitor bedside. Unfamiliar sounds echoed around her. The medical staff was amazing and so reassuring all that afternoon and into the night as we each took turns to spend a few moments with Mum.

Her amazing inner strength and resilience (some might call it stubbornness) prevailed and over the next few hours began to progress – to the point she almost got feisty in a manner that those that know her, would recognize immediately. Mum was coming back.

She had a good night and will be moved to a room, out of ICU later this morning.

On behalf of my sisters, Beverley, Karen, Joanne, Lindsey and brother Ross and my nieces and nephews, Kristen, Nicolas, Graeme, Natasha, Michael, Alyssa, Max, Jackson, Brendan, Max, Sammy and Alexander and all other family members and friends, our heartfelt thanks to everyone at Sunnybrook especially Dr. Maggisano and Marg Gadke who went out of there way to ensure that this family have their Mother to celebrate more birthdays and family events in the months and years to come.

Oh yes, Mum’s not too happy to hear that she should not be driving for at least six weeks. How is she going to see everyone?

Meet the latest musical sensation from Ajax, 'Sons of Beaches'!!!

Eat your heart out Sum 41; there's a new band in town, Sons of Beaches.

That's my 12 year old nephew, Max on guitar on the left. Recorded at the Wing Shack in Whitby May 3, 2009 -- the bands first official gig.

For those of you keeping track, Max is cousin to Jackson, whose screaming rendition of AC/DCs 'Thunderstruck' you may recall from a few months back on this very blog.

Another nephew, Graeme has also been doing some musical dabbling, of late -- there is more to come, we're all told.

And, while on topic, another nephew, Michael has been musically inclined for years, too.

My second youngest nephew scored his first electric guitar this past Christmas.

Look out, Simon Cowell!