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July 31, 2008
Here's a thousand words
I couldn't have possibly said it any better.
Posted by LindaSoG at 07:27 AM | Comments (8)
July 28, 2008
I get by with a little help from my friends...
Guess what was in my mailbox today?
Ha! Just what I needed for the headache, and it came from the other side of the country, all the way from SondraKisPstan, just to put a smile on my face, and it got here just when I really needed a smile.
It was a bad day with bad news. To quote the radiologist:
Interval development of invasion of the superior sagittal sinus superior to the torcula. This significantly narrows the flow-void of the superior sagittal sinus at this level.
Superior sagittal sinus adjacent to previously described extra-axial mass appears to have moderately decreased diameter, probably representing compression rather than invasion, although the latter cannot be totally excluded.
Yep. That means I've won the jackpot, the tumor is constricting the vein and I likely get to have surgery for that before I can have the radiation. Oh goody.
On a happy note, the decreased diameter of the vein "probably respresents compression rather than invasion, although the latter cannot be totally excluded." So, maybe the tumor is not actually growing in the vein, but they can't be sure. Great. I never even considered the possibility that it was growing inside the vein, but now I get to think about that.
sigh.
Posted by LindaSoG at 09:51 PM | Comments (21)
July 27, 2008
The Blogger Challenge
I so dearly love a challenge and I do so hate a meme. Ya'aqov at Esser Agaroth tagged me in the Blogger Challenge, that's the latest meme running around the blogosphere. I'm supposed to list seven of my favorite blogs, and challenge them to do the same. Is it a meme? Is it a challenge? Sigh. I might have passed it up but I must say, I am so honored to be among Ya'aqov's choices, that I'll take this one on.
Ya'aqov and I share the same problem... So many blogs, so many bloggers, picking just seven really is a challenge. I visit a variety of blogs every day, there are dozens that I read regularly, some every day, some not.
The first blog I visit not just every day, but several times a day, is the one and only SondraK. I find things there I didn't know, and sometimes I find things there I didn't want to know, but I am always entertained if not by the news, by the commentary. Its like home for me, and I consider everyone who posts there my friend, except of course, for sheikyerwhateverhisnameis.
Number two on the list is Rodger's Curmudeonly & Skeptical, and I'm there several times a day as well, for a dose of outrage and amusement. Rodger is wicked, wicked I tell you, and no matter what the topic, no one makes me laugh as much as he does.
I also visit the P.C. Free Zone at Theordore's World every day, and no matter what she's talking about, I find that on each and every post, Wild Thing pretty much says what I think, and I find myself nodding my head in agreement all the way through each and every one of her comments. She is like my sister, and yes, I really do believe we were somehow seperated at birth.
I almost never miss reading The Elder of Zion, he's been around so long it seems like forever, and I get all kinds of little tidbits there that I never see anywhere else.
I stumbled upon the Gentile Warrior a short time ago, and lately, its become a regular read for me. He states his opinions and thoughts boldly, without apology, and I like that. I like that a lot.
I visit Bloggie each and every day, and usually more than once, I can't help it. Its like an addiction.
Finally, there's Winds of Jihad, one of the best anti-Islam blogs out there, and a regular read for me. Know thy enemy!
As long as we're talking about anti-Islam, if I can take a moment to complain for a minute, I would have certainly included another one of my regular stops, An Illustrated P.I.G. to Islam, except it has just been silenced by those bastards at Blogger. Ticks me off big time.
I could easily add another couple-dozen to this list of favorite places, I tried to pick a few that you maybe have not seen before, but if you're wondering what other places I might have picked, just peek at the various blogrolls in the right hand column. They are there for a reason, and that reason is so that I can find them easily, and if I can, well, you can too!
So there you have it, and for those of you I mentioned, if you're in the mood to do the same, take the challenge and make your own list, or... not. Up to you!
Oh... and Ya'aqov, thank you for doing me the honor, it is greatly appreciated and it more than makes up for the fact that I wasn't invited to the JBlog Conference either.
Posted by LindaSoG at 08:02 AM | Comments (5)
July 22, 2008
Here we go again...
A bulldozer driver went on a rampage in central Jerusalem Tuesday afternoon in an apparent attempt to recreate the terror attack in the capital a few weeks ago.
The wounded were evacuated to Sha'are Tzedek Hospital in the capital.
I don't suppose this one had his broken by a Jewish girl too, maybe his toaster broke or something. Or maybe he was so impressed by the last bulldozer terrorist that he had to try it for himself.
The damn palestinians will try anything and stop at nothing when it comes to killing Jews.
Posted by LindaSoG at 07:39 AM | Comments (3)
July 21, 2008
Say good-bye to Mahmoud Abbas
Once upon a time, it was believed that releasing Fatah's monster, Marwan Bargouti, would strengthen the position of terrorist leader Mahmoud Abbas, in his battle for dominance over Hamas. Now, Israel will release him at the request of Hamas, in exchange for Gilad Shalit.
Israel has agreed in principle to release Marwan Barguti and a number of prominent Hamas leaders from prison – diplomatic sources were quoted as saying in Monday's 'Al-Bayan' newspaper, based in the United Arab Emirates.
The former leader of the Al-Aqsa Martyr's Brigade, Fatah's active "military wing," Bargouti is serving several life sentences for for the death of at least 26 Jews during the Al-Dura Intifada.
While in prison, Bargouti ran for President of the Palestinian Authority in 2004, he generated a lot of support from palestinians and his announcement threw the presidental race into chaos, but he was convinced to back off and withdrew after only a few weeks.
Bargouti will soon be on the streets, ready to jump into the fray, and in serious debt to Hamas for obtaining his freedom. His release can only mean one thing for Mahmoud Abbas, make way, resign or be killed. I imagine killing him and blaming it on the Jews will be preferable to Hamas.
Say hello to the next Head Terrorist of the Palestinian Authority:
Posted by LindaSoG at 06:29 AM | Comments (0)
July 20, 2008
Oh noes!
WASHINGTON, July 20 (Reuters) - The world's wetlands, threatened by development, dehydration and climate change, could release a planet-warming "carbon bomb" if they are destroyed, ecological scientists said on Sunday.
Wetlands contain 771 billion tonnes of greenhouse gases, one-fifth of all the carbon on Earth and about the same amount of carbon as is now in the atmosphere, the scientists said before an international conference linking wetlands and global warming.
If all the wetlands on the planet released the carbon they hold, it would contribute powerfully to the climate-warming greenhouse effect, said Paulo Teixeira, coordinator of the Pantanal Regional Environment Program in Brazil.
"We could call it the carbon bomb," Teixeira said by telephone from from Cuiaba, Brazil, site of the conference. "It's a very tricky situation."
Yeah, and if pigs could fly, they just might reach very high altitudes, if they did, maybe they could cause airplane crashes because said flying pigs just might possibly fly into said airplanes and cause death to the pigs and death to people and destruction to airplanes and if that happened, then maybe pieces of those pigs and pieces of those people and pieces of those airplanes would more than likely rain down from the sky, possibly killing other people too, and crushing buildings and cars and other things, likely making a great big old mess that would further pollute Mother Earth. We could even call it the pig bomb and of course, even if its not probable, its entirely possible so we should do something to prevent it right away because we could all die if it happened!
Oh noes! We're all going to die!
Posted by LindaSoG at 04:30 PM | Comments (3)
Oy, my aching head!
This is one of the more dramatic pictures from the MRI scan earlier this month:
I've been looking through the pictures, and there are a lot of them. I find them compelling, that's normal I suppose, after all, it is my head, but I confess that I find this one picture in particular to be fascinating. While no one with any real knowledge has explained this picture to me, from what I do know, I assume that the tumor is that small funny shaped grey thing at the bottom center and the rest is just brain fluid in the gap from the last tumor, and perhaps a bit of inflammation.
I look at the pictures and I think.... no wonder my head hurts. Yet, they tell me that this tumor is not really compressing my brain and should not be causing the headache.
I've never had a headache like this. For the most part, if I'm sitting still, holding still, all is well, but the slightest movement, if I move my head, or turn it, or if I bend over or even lean any which way, when I walk, or when I get up or sit down, when I go over speed bumps or any other bump in the road, or when I sneeze or cough, or when I get upset and my blood pressure goes up, pounding pain just explodes across the top of my head.
Even before we found out about the tumor, I figured I was taking too much headache medication, my drug of choice for headaches is advil, I was eating them pretty much every day, and supplementing now and again with a half of vicodin if it was especially bad. No matter what I took, the headache never really went away and its getting worse over time. Of course, the headache was part of the reason that I went back to see Dr. Landy, but then he told me that he didn't think this tumor was causing the headache. I was dumbfounded but then, he's the tumor specialist and I'm not.
So, at his urging, last week I saw another neurologist, a headache doctor. He does his testing, talks about migraine (even though my headache has nothing in common with migraine, except that it hurts) and he talks about concepts like rebound headache (more on that later). Then, he looks at the pictures and he tells me that the tumor is next to the rather large vein that runs across the top of the head and drains the blood. Yeah yeah, I knew all that, this vein was a real issue with the first surgery because the tumor was attached to it and its not like you can remove it. Ten years ago, all we talked about was the main vein on top of my brain, a bizarre coincidence of rhyming words that made me feel like I was living in a Dr. Seuss story. But, the fact is, its more than likely that when they were trying to remove the tumor from the vein (what they do is scrape it actually), they missed a bit, and that would be what's growing now. That's all blah blah blah to me, old information. What about the headache?
Well. He can't tell from the pictures we have, but this neurologist thinks its possible that the tumor may be pressing on the vein and slowing the drainage of blood out of my head. The build up and resulting swelling from a partially blocked vein could cause headaches like I am describing. From the description of my headache, it certainly seems possible, and my heart sunk when he said it. Just thinking about it is enough to make my head hurt.
First order of the day, no bending, no lifting, no straining of any kind, walk softly, move slowly. Stay calm, don't get upset, keep the blood pressure down. Second order, another MRI, a different kind of MRI, to see if that is really what's happening. They use a different dye to light up the vein instead of the brain or tumor and they look for a narrowing. If they find the narrowing, well, then they have to fix that before they do the radiation therapy.
Remember, the cyberknife is not going to remove my tumor, we only hope that it will arrest the growth, and if I'm really really lucky, over time, it might shrink it a little but they tell me not to get my hopes up on that. The real problem now is, when applied, the radiation will make the tumor swell and if the tumor is pushing on the vein already and the tumor swells, well, it could block the vein even more, or even entirely and then... well... you know.
Every thing is on hold until we find out.
This would not be a good thing. It would mean another procedure, one where they have to go through my nose to try to fix it before they try to fix the tumor with radiation. I refused any details about that procedure, I am on information overload at the moment and don't want to deal with what that's like until its a reality.
There is another remote possibility, the doc mentioned a concept called rebound, where the very medications you take for headache cause headache and that could be part of the problem. WTF? I have a tumor in my head, and you think the headache is rebound? Forcryinoutloud, don't I have enough to deal with?
I guess not, because I have been told to stop taking any and all pain medication. I can't take anything at all anymore, not until we figure this happy horseshit out. Its been four days now and the headache is horrible.
To make matters worse, I keep picturing that vein swelling up like a balloon every time I feel my head pound, and I feel it a lot. I had some very real moments of panic over the last few days, and I'm terrified of doing anything that might possibly effect it. I'm even afraid to cry, because then I might have to blow my nose and if I blow my nose... well.
Its irrational, I know. If they thought that I would do anything that would blow that vein, I would be in the hospital, but every time my head pounds, rational goes right out the window.
I won't have the MRI until next Thursday, and between now and then, my darling neurologist, Dr. Koch, goes on vacation until the end of August.
Silly me, I thought this was gonna be easy.
Posted by LindaSoG at 02:03 PM | Comments (18)
Its Carnival Time
The 174th Edition of Haveil Havalim is up and once again, Esser Agaroth is hosting.
Haveil Havalim is a carnival of Jewish blogs -- a weekly collection of Jewish & Israeli blog highlights, tidbits and points of interest collected from blogs all around the world. It's hosted by different bloggers each week. The term 'Haveil Havalim,' which means "Vanity of Vanities," is from Qoheleth, (Ecclesiastes) which was written by King Solomon. King Solomon built the Holy Temple in Jerusalem and later on got all bogged down in materialism and other 'excesses' and realized that it was nothing but 'hevel,' or in English, 'vanity.'
As always, there are some excellent writers and articles linked. I am honored to be included.
Enjoy!
Posted by LindaSoG at 07:48 AM | Comments (1)
July 18, 2008
Hey Matt! They ain't Jews!
Perhaps you saw Matt Drudge's headline today:
Except its kinda misleading, the fact is that Israel arrested arabs in an al-Queda plot to assassinate President Bush, two "palestinians" and two residents of Jerusalem .
A better, more accurate headline:
Terror Mosque Exposed: Israel arrests palestinian al-Qaida members plotting to assassinate George Bush
just saying...
Posted by LindaSoG at 07:53 AM | Comments (3)
July 16, 2008
Coffins.
Early this morning, Hezbollah turned over two black coffins which presumably contain the remains of Ehud Goldwasser and Eldad Regev. After first checking to be sure the coffins were not booby-trapped (we are dealing with arabs after all), they were discovered to contain bodies mutilated beyond all recognition.
Right up to the last minute, Hezbollah continued its claims that maybe, perhaps, could be, possibly one or both soldiers were alive, and the families of both men had their hopes shattered via television news. Heartbreaking.
As the State of Israel mourns the loss of these two men, men who were killed while serving their country and protecting their families and countrymen, Lebanon rolled out a red carpet and the arab world is now celebrating the release of Samir Kuntar, a monster so evil that he cannot be called human.
In Gaza, they are already handing out candies and celebrating Samir Kuntar in the streets. Israel's "partner in peace," Mahmoud Abbas, has already publically passed along his congratulations to Hezbollah for obtaining the release of their monster.
Soon there will come the photographs and video of the celebrations, and the world will watch as the arabs celebrate the release of their monster, showing us that they are no better than Samir Kuntar, that they are one and the same, hate-filled murderers without soul or conscience, without compassion, without a single, solitary shred of humanity within their twisted hearts and minds.
And, as expected...
Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh called Kantar an "Arab nationalist hero" and said his release was a great day for the Arab nation. He warned Israel it would have to pay the price for a soldier Hamas has been holding since June 2006 and presumed alive.
"As there was an honorable exchange today, we are determined to have an honorable exchange for our own prisoners, held in Israeli jails," Haniyeh said. "There is a captive Israeli soldier, and thousands of our sons are in prison. ...
and
"Today is a great victory for the resistance movements and to Hezbollah, said Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri. "It shows that the only successful way to free the prisoners is by kidnapping soldiers."
I wish the Knesset would meet, today, and declare into law the death penalty for acts of terrorism in Israel, retroactive for fifty years and then, vote to hold the implementation of executions of convicted terrorists in abeyance in exchange for the immediate release of Gilad Shalit. Give the arabs 24 hours to do so, and, if they fail to do so, then, immediately begin putting the monsters Israel holds in prisons to death until they do. And then, announce that the executions will continue unless and until all of Israel's missing soldiers are returned, Ron Arad, Zachary Baumel, Tzvi Feldman, Yehuda Katz, Guy Hever.
Sigh. Such a thing will never happen, because Israel is full of Jews, and Jews are not the monsters that the arabs are.
Posted by LindaSoG at 08:15 AM | Comments (8)
July 15, 2008
Islamotards on Parade
and even today, they listen...
Sanaa, 11 July (AKI) - Camel urine, considered an ancient Islamic 'remedy' from the time of the Prophet Mohammed, has become big business for men and women in Yemen.
The urine has become fashionable recently among Yemen's young people, who claim that it strengthens the scalp, slows hair loss and promotes healthy hair.
According to the Arab TV network al-Arabiya, hair salons throughout the country are requesting this precious 'tonic' and selling it at four dollars a litre - a high price considering the income level of most of the buyers.
Thanks to He who drives the bus for the news story.... love ya Gus!
Posted by LindaSoG at 09:09 PM | Comments (5)
Today's Man on the Street Moment
"He didn't know why he did it..."
A bicycle-riding Miami Beach man has been charged under a hate crime law after police say he slapped at a rabbi and blurted out an obscene epithet.
Pichardo Dearmas, 49, was charged last weekend with assault with prejudice, a misdemeanor.
On Monday afternoon, he was being held at Miami-Dade County Jail on $1,000 bail.
Rabbi Abraham S. Mann -- wearing a black-brimmed hat and black knee-length overcoat -- was walking on the Venetian Causeway between Dilido Island and Rivo Alto Island at about 8 a.m. Saturday, according to a Miami Beach police report released Monday.
Mann, 36, of Miami Beach and formerly of the Hallandale Jewish Center, could not be reached for comment.
Dearmas, a convicted burglar from Miami Beach with a lengthy rap sheet, was riding his bicycle coming up behind Mann. About two or three feet away, he ''slapped at the victim with his right hand/arm'' while blurting out ''You f-----g Jew,'' the report said.
The report does not say whether Dearmas made physical contact with the rabbi.
Miami Beach police stopped Dearmas on Dilido Island, where he admitted in Spanish ''he didn't know why he did it,'' according to a report by Officer William Watson.
Dearmas has been arrested more than 40 times dating back to 1985. He has served four state prison stints, the last a one-year sentence for grand theft.
He sports tattoos of a spider, a clown and, on his back, Jesus Christ.
Florida's hate-crime laws were enacted in 1989 after a rash of vandalism at Jewish synagogues. A person charged under the hate crime law faces a more severe penalty -- in this case, the charge is upgraded from a second-degree to a first-degree misdemeanor.
A conviction of first-degree means jail time of up to one year.
So, he's facing a sentence of 365 days worth of three hots and a cot on the public dime, and he didn't know why he did it? I know why he did it.
Judging by his behavior, it would be my guess that the Jesus tattoo is no reflection of his personal beliefs and is likely there only to cover up a really bad case of backne.
Posted by LindaSoG at 07:24 AM | Comments (4)
July 11, 2008
Shabbat Shalom
Our Father in Heaven, Rock and Redeemer of Israel, bless the State of Israel, the first manifestation of the approach of our redemption. Shield it with Your loving kindness, envelop it in Your peace, and bestow Your light and truth upon its leaders, ministers, and advisors, and grace them with Your good counsel. Strengthen the hands of those who defend our holy land, grant them deliverance, and adorn them in a mantle of victory.
Ordain peace in the land and grant its inhabitants eternal happiness. Lead them, swiftly and upright, to Your city Zion and to Jerusalem, the abode of Your Name, as is written in the Torah of Your servant Moses: “Even if your outcasts are at the ends of the world, from there the Lord your God will gather you, from there He will fetch you. And the Lord your God will bring you to the land that your fathers possessed, and you shall possess it; and He will make you more prosperous and more numerous than your fathers.”
Draw our hearts together to revere and venerate Your name and to observe all the precepts of Your Torah, and send us quickly the Messiah son of David, agent of Your vindication, to redeem those who await Your deliverance.
Manifest yourself in the splendor of Your boldness before the eyes of all inhabitants of Your world, and may everyone endowed with a soul affirm that the Lord, God of Israel, is king and his dominion is absolute.
Amen
Halailah Zeh Hazman by Gadi Elbaz & Alon De Loco.
Posted by LindaSoG at 07:48 PM | Comments (3)
Today's Anti-Semite
Commentary has an interesting article up by Travis Pantin, titled Hugo Chávez's Jewish Problem, although I'm not sure whether the title is really fitting.
Chávez doesn't really have a Jewish problem, its the Jews of Venezuela who have a Chávez problem:
• Graffiti, often bearing the signature of the Venezuelan Communist party and its youth organization, have appeared on synagogues and Jewish buildings, with messages like “mata niños” (“child killers”), “judios afuera” (“Jews get out”), “judios perros” (“Jews are dogs”), and swastikas linked to stars of David by an equals sign.
• Sammy Eppel, a columnist for the independent Caracas newspaper El Universal, has documented hundreds of instances of anti-Semitism in government media. To take one particularly noxious example, in September 2006 El Diario de Caracas, until recently one of the country’s most important papers, published an editorial containing these fiery words:
Let us pay attention to the behavior of the Israeli-Zionist associations, unions, and federations that are conspiring in Venezuela to take control of our finances, our industries, commerce, construction—which are infiltrating our government and politics. Possibly we will have to expel them from our country . . . as other nations have done.
• On television, Mario Silva, the host of a popular pro-Chávez show called La Hojilla (“The Razor Blade”), has repeatedly named prominent Venezuelan Jews as anti-government conspirators and called on other Jews to denounce them. “Rabbi Jacobo Benzaquén and Rabbi Pynchas Brener are actively participating in the conspiracy in conjunction with the media,” Silva has said. “So as not to be called an anti-Semite,” he added, “I repeat that those Jewish businessmen not involved in the conspiracy should say so.”
• Armed government agents have conducted two unannounced raids on the Hebraica club during the past five years. The first occurred during the early morning hours of November 29, 2004, when two dozen men wearing masks invaded the elementary school just as pupils were arriving for class. In the second, which came shortly after midnight on December 2, 2007, government agents broke through the front gate and disrupted hundreds of celebrants at a wedding party in the nearby synagogue. In each case, allegedly, the agents were looking for weapons and other evidence of “subversive activity.”
• The last few years have seen the creation of a terrorist group in Venezuela calling itself Hizballah in Latin America. The group has already claimed responsibility for placing two small bombs outside the American embassy in Caracas in October 2006—one of them, it is thought, intended for the embassy of Israel. Although neither of the two bombs detonated, the group’s website hailed the man who planted them as a “brother mujahedin” and has urged other, simultaneous attacks throughout Venezuela in solidarity with Hizballah in Lebanon.
Of course, with regard to that last item, if you use support for Hizballah as a gauge for anti-semitism, you could say that America and our good friends the brits suffer from the same Jewish Problem."
But... I digress. Mr. Pantin makes some very good points, including:
History suggests that once anti-Semitism becomes an instrument of state policy, the possibility of violence can never be discounted. For centuries, moreover, anti-Semitism has waxed and waned with fluctuating business cycles. With both the ailing economy and Chávez’s social programs dependent almost entirely on oil revenues, a drop in prices could trigger widespread animosity against the “Semitic banks” that members of Chávez’s party have repeatedly denounced for every passing ill. A major event like a military strike on Iran by the United States or Israel might similarly serve as justification for seizing the assets of Venezuela’s Jewry.
One small item Mr. Pantin missed, as of October of 2006, Israeli citizens are persona non grata in Venezuela.
When you consider Hitler's Germany and the result of state-sponsored anti-semitism, it appears that "Never Again" is having technical difficulties.
----
Thanks Paco, for the tip on the Pantin article.
Posted by LindaSoG at 06:19 AM | Comments (2)
July 10, 2008
Spreading the Cheer
This showed up in my email (thanks Sarge!)... and it put a big old smile on my face:
I think about the men and women of the United States Military, and what they face every single day to protect my freedom, and everything I am facing pales in comparison.
If you liked it as much as I did, then go tell them!
Posted by LindaSoG at 09:24 PM | Comments (1)
July 08, 2008
Show and Tell
Did you know I had brain surgery? Yep. I did, 10 years ago.
Some of you might have read about it, but maybe not since I've only posted about it a few times over the years. They removed a rather large tumor, it was about the size of a man's fist. It was also - Thank G-d - in my meningies (the tissue between the brain and the skull and known as a meningioma), it was not in my brain so they didn't have to dig and, it was completely benign. But, since I ignored the headaches and other symptoms for a long, long time, by the time they found it, it was too big for anything other than surgery.
I don't like to talk about it all that much (although there are more than few funny stories) but I will say this, brain surgery sucks. I don't recommend it.
The surgery was on March 4, 1998, and they told me then that the tumor could come back, but with every year that passed, it was less likely, and after ten years, unlikely.
Well. Last year, just as I was thinking I was home free, the headaches started again, and the blurry vision, which I ignored, as is my habit. But, while I can live with headaches, after a bit, the blurry vision made me nervous.
So, I visited the doctor, who sent me for a half-assed MRI, without contrast (dye) which... turns out... renders the MRI useless for us brain tumor people. In other words, it showed nothing. So... then I went to a neuro opthalmologist, who decided I have dry eyes and that's why my vision was blurry, and the blurry vision was why my head was hurting. He sent me home feeling foolish and loaded down with eye drops.
And... time goes by, the blurry vision still comes and goes and the headaches still come and go and I use my drops and stumble ever onward and forward. Then... the back of my head where they went in starts feeling funky when I brush or wash my hair, doesn't hurt but feels funky, weird, but I don't want to deal with it so I ignore it and... the headaches come more often and they're more intense and they last longer and so does the blurry vision. The computer kinda bothered me and I found myself using it less and less, keeping this place going began to be difficult.
So... a couple-few weeks ago I had my hair done and when the girl was washing my hair she pressed right there on the back of my head and I almost came out of my chair. It hurt and this during a headache that was hanging around for a couple of days. The headache stuck around for over a week and finally, I called the neurosurgeon. I had the heavy duty MRI early last week and saw the doctor last Thursday.
See that shiny thing shaped like a comma? Oops. I read that wrong. Let me try that again...
See that little black blob under the shiny thing shaped like a comma? Well, that my friends, is a tumor and all the rest of the stuff you see there is my brain. If you've ever doubted that I had one, well, doubt no more!
Yep. The tumor is back, dammit and I'm pretty pissed off. I was so darn close to that ten year mark!
I guess in my heart, I knew it was back last year, but I wasn't prepared to deal with it. I'm not sure I am now, but then, I don't have much choice in the matter, do I?
Thankfully, there is good news with the bad news. First, its re-growth, not a new tumor. That means we know what we're dealing with. Second, and probably the best news, its not cancerous (meningiomas rarely are). And third, its small enough so that they are not recommending surgery this time. Good thing too, because brain surgery is something I am not ready to deal with. Once was enough.
The doctors believe it can be treated with radiation and I'm going to experience first hand the modern medical wonder that is the Cyberknife, with the goal being to stop its growth and maybe even shrink it a little.
If the doc had recommended surgery, I would likely be going out of my mind. There are contradictions and risks with radiation, but I'm ready and willing to take those risks rather than have surgery. Radiation is non-invasive, fast, painless and out-patient, it requires no hospital stay (I hate being the patient). It won't make me vomit and I won't go bald. The Cyberknife sounds like a cake walk compared to brain surgery. Treatments will likely be over the next month or so and hopefully, they'll work.
I'm fortunate to have a team of doctors that are some of the best in the country, I have friends and family to help me and other than the tumor, I'm in good health. It should come out just fine.
So. Hang in there with me, please, and if you're so inclined, prayer is always appreciated.
If I'm absent a bit over the next month or so, now you know why, but don't worry. I may miss a day or two, but I'll always be back. Glowing a little perhaps, but I'll be back.
Posted by LindaSoG at 12:01 AM | Comments (71)
July 07, 2008
The Stark Reality
Just last month, a federal jury in Toledo, Ohio convicted three local men--Mohammad Amawi, Marwan El-Hindi, and Wassim Mazloum--of all criminal charges filed against them, including plotting attacks against U.S. troops fighting in Iraq. The case involved one of the largest collection of terrorist propaganda seized by the FBI right here on US soil.
Sometime prior to June 2004 all three defendants engaged in a conspiracy that involved firearms training and instructions to build improvised explosive devices and suicide bomb vests, the Justice Department said.
They also sought to recruit others to participate in jihad training, solicited funding for the training, and proposed sites for training in firearms, explosives and hand-to-hand combat, the department said in a statement.
It took the jury less than two days to decide. During the investigation of the three men—Mohammed Amawi, Marwan El-Hindi, and Wassim Mazloum—FBI agents uncovered a wealth of incriminating evidence indicating that the men were habitual users of such notorious terrorist websites as Muntada al-Ansar and Al-Ekhlaas. Evidence seized from Marwan El-Hindi included login information for an account on the Al-Ekhlaas discussion forum which, in February 2005, was used to post a message which proclaimed to other Al-Ekhlaas users, “I am a terrorist. Please add my name to the list of wanted terrorists. I am a Palestinian Muslim from the Army of Mohammed, may Peace be Upon Him. Terrorist, Terrorist, Terrorist, Terrorist, Terrorist, Terrorist, Terrorist!”
Please take note, Amawi is a dual Jordanian-U.S. citizen, El-Hindi is a naturalized U.S. citizen born in Jordan and Mazloum is a U.S. legal permanent resident from Lebanon, and they face maximum sentences of life imprisonment.
C. Frank Figliuzzi, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Cleveland Division said:
This case demonstrates the stark reality of home-grown terrorism. If a plot like this can be developed in Toledo, Ohio, it can happen anywhere,"
And yet, according to the Justice Department:
Sentences will be determined after review by the court and "in most cases, it will be less than the maximum,"
Well. That certainly makes me feel safer, how about you?
If scum like this are not shot while trying to escape and actually live long enough to be tried for their crimes, a conviction should come with the death penalty, to be carried out immediately. Otherwise, mark my words, if we keep scum like this alive, sooner or later, we will have a situation like Israel has, our people will be kidnapped and held as hostage to their release.
Its just a matter of time.
Posted by LindaSoG at 07:14 AM | Comments (7)
July 04, 2008
The True Point of Independence Day
*snort*
I think my favorite part was "scone."
Posted by LindaSoG at 12:18 PM | Comments (2)
Defining Patriotism
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Every true American has felt it: that shudder of joy so vast it can hardly be contained, that heart-pounding pride at the sight of the American flag. It is a sense of belonging to something greater than oneself, of belonging to a great nation. It floods us as we listen to the National Anthem with tears stinging, throat choking, pride and triumph welling up within. And although describing any such great emotion is difficult, we embody this feeling in one word: patriotism.
Nathan Hale felt this grand emotion when he declared his now famous words, standing firm on the British gallows, awaiting the wreath of death about his neck: I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country! His loyal words ring loud and fierce to this day, for such love transcends the boundaries of physical reach. Patriotism is the only power that allows us to encompass the amber waves of grain and purple mountain majesties which no human arms could embrace without.
It soars and bursts forth from us in a dazzling show of fireworks, blazing trumpets, and marching rhythms. When some outside force looms threatening upon us, we all become patriots. We unite and endure. A patriot will not accept defeat.
And so we have followed his words, dedicated our lives to America because of that omnipresent, vast force called patriotism. One moment on the fields of Lexington and Concord—celebrated on Patriot's Day—changed the entire world. But each time we shudder, feel our tears stinging and throats choking at the sight of Old Glory soaring high, we know Patriot's Day is every day. Patriotism compels us to persevere, sustains our nation, and ensures its success into eternity. What is a Patriot?
It is a privilege to live in the United States. The flag and National Anthem represent what we believe in. I believe that as a good patriot it is my job to take care of them. We are lucky to have the freedom of speech and the right to practice any religion. There are many laws and rules made by our government, to obey them is to be a good patriot. Being a patriot makes me feel great and it is not hard to do at all." Alden Neslon, Age 11 Patriotism is looking at the flag of the United States of America, and seeing beyond the cloth, the colors and seeing what our The Flag of the United States of America represents freedom, truth, honor, justice. All of the things this country stands for and is based upon is depicted in one symbol - our Flag. Patriotism is knowing the difference between freedom of expression, art, and desecration of our Flag. Patriotism is looking at our Flag and seeing the faces of all those who gave their lives to defend our way of life. Patriotism is loving your country as you would love a family member.
Patriotism is knowing the Pledge of Allegiance, what it means, and believing it. Patriotism is like having that feeling in your heart on Independence Day all year round. Patriotism is being asked your nationality and proudly saying that you are an American. Patriotism is knowing that the American Dream still exists, and is attainable, but that you will have to work hard to achieve it.
Patriotism is respecting the beliefs and interests of other peoples while holding true to our own. Patriotism is giving back to your community, your country. Patriotism is respecting the will of the people, not the special interests. Patriotism is exercising your right to vote, understanding the platforms of the candidates, and making an informed decision based on the good of all Americans.
Patriotism is having a desire for peace on Earth, but realizing that there are those on this Earth who would do harm to us and we must protect/defend ourselves from them.
Patriotism is appreciating The United States Armed Forces not just during times of war, and appreciating the sacrifices they make to defend our way of life during times of peace as well as times of war. Patriotism is not nationalism; it is not a religion; it is not politics; it is not an attachment to political parties or political personalities. Patriotism is not limited in time or space. It is not connected with personal gain, or personal suffering. Patriotism is a feeling, a sense of connectedness with and a love for, something that is deeply your own. Patriotism is a sincere, indivisible and incorruptible dedication to this great country we call home, the United States of America. Patriotism is to have love for our own stones, our mountains, our lakes and our rivers - with all its dust, its dirt and its cleanliness, with all its forests, meadows and fertile fields, with its bridges, quays, factories, schools and the places where the Gods of its people dwell. True patriotism is a part of one's soul and one's conscience. It is a belonging. "Patriotism is not short, frenzied outbursts of emotion, but the tranquil and steady dedication of a lifetime." Adlai E. Stevenson |
Patriotism is born of our passion and love for our country. It makes us fear for her, defend her, sacrifice for her.
Patriotism keeps us alive. It inspires us on the battlefield to fight to the death. It challenges us, dares us to strive for superiority, drives us on as the Olympic torch flames, and commands us to achieve the highest of achievements. Patriotism inspires us to not only live in America, but to live for America. As John Kennedy said, "Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do for your country."
"I believe as a patriot that I am responsible to be well informed on how my government works and who the people that represent me are. I believe my grandfathers are patriots because they risked their lives to fight for our country. Any soldiers that trained for or fought in a war are patriots.
Flag embodies.
Patriotism is looking at the American Flag and feeling part of something greater than any one of us individually.
Patriotism is going to work and being a productive member of society.
Patriotism does not mean we are better than others, but it does mean we are damn proud of what we have accomplished in this country - and that we have no intentions of giving it up.
Patriotism is understanding that the freedoms we enjoy come with a price, and if necessary, being willing to defend it with your life.
Happy Birthday America!! USA! USA!! USA!!!
Posted by LindaSoG at 08:17 AM | Comments (2)
Happy Fourth of July
Oh, Say, can you see, by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming,
Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof thro' the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave!
On the shore, dimly seen thro' the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In full glory reflected, now shines on the stream.
'Tis the star-spangled banner; oh, long may it wave
O'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave!
And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion
A home and a country should leave us no more?
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
Oh, thus be it ever when freemen shall stand
Between their loved homes and the war's desolation;
Blest with victory and peace, may the heaven-rescued land
Praise the power that hath made and preserved us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust!"
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave,
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
Francis Scott Key
Posted by LindaSoG at 07:59 AM | Comments (0)
July 03, 2008
Tempest in a Teapot?
Blogger admits Hawaii birth certificate forgery, subverting Obama claims
The evidence of forgery and manipulation of images of official documents, triggered by Israel Insider's revelation of the collection of Hawaii birth certificate images on the Photobucket site and the diligent detective work of independent investigative journalists (led by JimJ and Texas Darling) and imaging professionals such as Polarik in the three weeks since the publication of the images, implicate The Daily Kos, a "progressive" blog site, and the Obama campaign's "Fight the Smears" website, in misleading the public with official-looking but manipulated document images of doubtful provenance. Moreover, the blog and the campaign have been negligent in allowing the promotion of obviously forged and fake official documents together with the purported image of Obama's birth certificate.
hmmmm....
Posted by LindaSoG at 10:34 PM | Comments (5)
Reason #84948767
Posted by LindaSoG at 07:26 AM | Comments (1)
Criminal Illegals
They're not just picking lettuce yannow:
Yes, you heard that right. A little girl smuggled into Florida from Mexico, resisted while being raped and was then beheaded by the smugglers in front of other smuggled little girls, to teach them a lesson about resisting and, to hammer that lesson home, the other little girls were left in a room with her dead body.
We are getting taught the same lesson from the GOP candidate, who insists on welcoming these animals into America, and who wants you to pay for their upkeep.
Yeah. Vote for John McCain. Resistance is futile.
Posted by LindaSoG at 06:57 AM | Comments (0)
