bionic4ever 
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I wrote an article for Facebook today that I'd love to share with all of you.
BUBBA'S STORY
I've had Bubba for his entire life – over 12 years now. Even held him the day he was born! But there was one period of time when we were forced to separate for around 6 months. You see (due to black mold and a few other issues), I became homeless. Tried for months to re-home him with no success. It broke my heart, but had to leave him behind for the Humane Society to pick him up. When I got to the homeless shelter, I cried non-stop for days....not for the loss of my home, but for the loss of Bubba.
Begged everywhere - and at least possible moment, found someone willing to take him temporarily. The man was a serious drunk. Didn't really want Bubba to go there, but saved his life nonetheless and I was very grateful. Soooo....my daughter and I used a library card, did a little bit of breaking and entering into the old apartment, threw Bubba rather unceremoniously into a carrier and got out in minutes. A few weeks later, the man announced he couldn't keep Bubba after all, as he was going into rehab. Once again, begged and searched everywhere...and the date when Bubba was to be sent away came and went.
Then one day, the director of the shelter handed me a piece of paper with a phone number on it – belonging to a retired woman who fostered/rescued cats. Thought Bubba was already gone, but at the director's urging, made the call anyway. Yes; there was room for Bubba! My hands were shaking as I called the man who'd been taking care of my little buddy. The man told me to hurry – that Bubba was still there but the Humane Society was on their way to pick him up as we spoke! Somehow, I found a ride (sometimes VERY hard to come by, when you're in a homeless shelter) and we went and picked up Bubba.
I went to see him there a couple of times while I was still in the homeless shelter. She kept all the cats – dozens of cats - in her basement, and I'd call to him from the doorway, around the corner from the stairs to the basement - and always heard his voice call out back to me through that whole huge room of kitties! The foster mom does this all the time - hundreds of cats through the years - and said she's never seen an owner/cat with such a special bond. She calls us her first 'human' rescue, as I needed this cat even more than he needed me! (Of course; this is the cat who'd once saved my life, when I had a stroke!)
Finally the day came – I had a new place to live! My daughter and I joyfully brought Bubba home to be with his Mama again on New Years Eve – and it was the very best way I could ever imagine to ring in the New Year!
He sleeps with his head against my forehead each night, his paws 'holding' my hands. He reaches up with a gentle paw to wipe away my tears. Every time I look at him, I know how very, very lucky we are to still be together.Sometimes it brings tears to my eyes. God is truly good.
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Reply #401. Mar 16 12, 12:22 AM
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| honeybee4
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I remember you going through this, Beth. So happy things have gotten better for you and Bubba. I hope you are feeling better from your recent operation. Now I have to dry my eyes and hope that everything keeps getting better for you.
Reply #402. Mar 16 12, 6:01 AM
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Jazmee27
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I concur.
Reply #403. Mar 16 12, 2:18 PM
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| lesley153
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'Twas my pleasure, Beth, and it's good to see you back here, and getting ever closer to up and running again.
Like Judy, I remember a lot of this happening, and your desperation when you couldn't have him with you. It's an uplifting story - thank you for posting it.
Reply #404. Mar 16 12, 5:27 PM
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| veronikkamarrz
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I saw the post this AM, but couldn't read it at work. I remember well, and knew it would make me cry. Great story, Beth. Glad you're doing well. How's Rocky?
Reply #405. Mar 16 12, 8:38 PM
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tobyone
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Beth, it's wonderful to read you're feeling that "life is good". Best wishes for continued healing and rapidly lessening pain.
I love reading about Bubba. He's a very special cat and it's a blessing that you found one another.
Reply #406. Mar 16 12, 10:10 PM
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MarchHare007
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I remember the trials of Beth and Bubba also - and somewhere along the way a small 'other cat' - that was part of a rescued group .....
So lovely to see you all happily together now Beth, with you on the mend with a happy healthy Dr Bubba in residence and Rocky - on guard. :)
Reply #407. Mar 17 12, 8:35 PM
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bionic4ever
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The Visiting Nurse came to the house today (1st time) to check my incisions. She said everything looks okay. The staples (in the back) are very loose, which is why my back has felt more tender (especially when leaning back against the sofa pillow while sitting at the computer). But she isn't worried about that because I see the surgeon on Wednesday, when the staples will most likely be removed. (Yeah....not looking forward to that so much, as I remember staple-removal from last time - OUCH!)
Front incision looks good too. I forgot to ask her whether the stitches are the dissolving kind or if they, too, will have to be removed...but I am certain even if they don't dissolve, they will NOT be removed this Wednesday. A friend of mine in medicine has cautioned me repeatedly that frontal incisions are much more 'iffy', take longer to heal and can even still rupture after they appear completely healed. (Mine appears nowhere near completely healed, of course.) It hurts a lot more than the back one ever did. So tender and painful! When my caseworker came over today, wanting to help with whatever I needed help with, the only thing I asked of her was...to do my dishes. Felt so, so awful to ask someone else to clean up after me that way, but have been trying for several days to do them myself and even though I'm very careful to hold my middle away from the sink/counter, I keep managing to bang my belly there anyhow. The most I can get done at a time is 1 or 2 dishes. She washed them cheerfully for me though - and I was very grateful.
* * *
While looking for easy foods to prepare following surgery, I discovered the niftiest recipe for making tiny, single serve cakes that I'd like to share with you. Have been posting it everywhere, and without fail, everyone who likes cake loves this recipe because it is so easy...and so good!
Here's the recipe for "3, 2, 1 Cake". A tiny little cake in a mug - just the perfect-sized little treat...and in one minute. Have to share it because it's so, SO good! And no milk, eggs or oil required. I keep a tupperware container of the mix in my cupboard and can have a tiny little cake, any time.
3, 2, 1 CAKE (aka Cake in a Mug)
1 box angel food cake mix
1 box any flavor cake mix (i used butter pecan - YUM!)
Whipped topping or powdered sugar, for optional garnish
1. In a gallon-size, self-sealing food-storage bag, stir together the two cake mixes. Seal bag (or transfer to other airtight container) and store in pantry up to 3 months, using as needed.
2. For each individual cake, measure 3 tablespoons of the mix into a small microwave-safe container, such as a mug or bowl. Stir in 2 tablespoons water. Microwave on high for 1 minute. If desired, top each cake with whipped topping or a sprinkling of powdered sugar.
Note: If you are using a flavor with tiny flavor pieces/ bits, etc, such as as carrot cake or cherry chip, after adding water to the mixture, let it sit for a couple of minutes before microwaving, to allow the chips/pieces to soften a bit.
(*All you have to remember is 3 tablespoons mix, 2 tablespoons water, microwave 1 minute.)
ENJOY!
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Reply #408. Mar 20 12, 12:35 AM
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bionic4ever
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Back is VERY sore tonight. The visiting nurse came yesterday and said my staples (back) are loose but she isn't concerned about it because I'll be seeing the surgeon tomorrow and will likely have them removed. Am dreading that, because I remember how it hurt the last time, but it will be a good thing too - because I can't even stand to lean back against a pillow right now. Front still hurts - especially a weird pain just to the one side on the front incision. My innards are quite insulted that they got moved (and held) aside for the sake of fusing my spine.
Speaking of fusing...Bubba has been firmly fused to my leg ever since I got home. He wants to make sure I don't leave him again, I guess. |
Reply #409. Mar 21 12, 1:17 AM
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Jazmee27
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Course he does. Probably doesn't understand why you left. (((((( ))))))
Reply #410. Mar 21 12, 8:48 AM
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| lesley153
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Course he does! and this is so much better than the usual feline response, of punishing you for going away by ignoring you. I think. Probably. :)
Getting the staples out is one more box to tick, and I hope it doesn't hurt this time.
Reply #411. Mar 21 12, 11:02 AM
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bionic4ever
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| Staples are out and - this part was NOT expected - stitches are out, as well. Feeling a lot more comfortable in some ways, as I can now lean back against my pillow again without pain. But feeling worse in other ways as my tummy suddenly feels very, very vulnerable. Surgeon explained that the severe pain on my left side is because in this type of surgery, they ease the innards over from the left to the right (and hold them there) while the fuse the spine. So that makes sense, at least. |
Reply #412. Mar 21 12, 7:35 PM
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bionic4ever
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Visiting Nurse came today - and she found a 'small area of concern' toward the bottom of my front incision. She cleaned it very well, bandaged in with triple-thick gauze and is coming back to check on me on Monday. Hopefully, it will at least start to heal over the weekend, as it explains why my whole incision hurts every time I take a deep breath (or even move around very much). Kind of scary. Pain in my side still pretty bad too but I understand what caused that, it makes sense and I can wait it out.
Meanwhile, Doctor Bubba has surgically attached himself to my leg. And last night, Rocky gave himself a (kitty) bath in the (human) bathtub! How cute is that? |
Reply #413. Mar 24 12, 12:03 AM
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bionic4ever
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| Pain in my side has changed and is very sharp today. "Area of concern" still hurting too. But it's such a beautiful day today that I went outside anyhow and sat on "my" bench in front of the house and enjoyed the fresh air and sunshine for awhile. Also snapped a picture of the leaf buds that were not on the tree in front of the house yesterday but are there in abundance today. |
Reply #414. Mar 25 12, 3:55 PM
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bionic4ever
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| Only a week until NaNoWriMo 2012 begins! Yes, I am going for it again this year! It will be my 4th time. As usual, a bionic story. And I've got a really, really great idea! Have been back to my writing for several weeks now, warming up my muse in preparation...and it feels SO good to be back doing what I love! |
Reply #415. Oct 25 12, 10:29 AM
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beergirllaura
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That is lovely! Write on!
Reply #416. Oct 25 12, 8:55 PM
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| lesley153
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Power to your pen!
Reply #417. Oct 26 12, 2:47 AM
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tobyone
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I'm delighted you've got the writing "glow". Keep shining.
Hugs to Bubba and Rocky.
Reply #418. Oct 26 12, 4:08 AM
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MarchHare007
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Great News, Beth.
I knew Bubba and Rocky would eventually hunt out your mojo for you to capture.
Happy writing!
Reply #419. Oct 28 12, 7:47 PM
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scorpion1960
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I am a "cat momma" too. I even converted hubby :) Besides my inside cats, I rescue the neighborhood ferals. I trap, spay/neuter/rabies shot, and release. I have weatherproof housing for them and an endless supply of food and water. Your story was an inspiration :)
Reply #420. Oct 28 12, 8:05 PM
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