The Phantom had me, then a fish/cat saved me

In 21 years I have had maybe three really bad episodes of Phantom pain. Last night was the biggest ever. Picture yourself standing by an electric fence...one with enough power to jolt an elephant into submission. (I know, poor example if you are a PETA supporter). Then take an end of that fence and shove it deep into the arch of your foot, or maybe into your ankle. The fence pulses, as does the pain I feel. About the time it is over and you get maybe five breaths it hits again. This one, by the third jolt had me on the floor screaming. I am so glad that no other human lives here!! The dogs knew something wasn't right. Kate would come up and give me the tiniest of licks. Henry stood back about a foot and a half and barked a shrill awful scream of his own. In the past soaking in hot water has helped. So I crawled to the other end of the house and started a bath. Then I called S2. If anyone can get me "out of my head" it is S2. It is a best friend's calling, right? We talked, we ranted, we laughed...all in between "contractions." Sadly, these contractions don't yield a baby, nor even a new leg. Finally I gave up and took meds. A lot of meds. Then we talked until the nerve pulses went away. They went away at about the same time the phone battery began to chirp that it would soon be dead. Today I am tired and I am sore. All of my muscles are stiff and sore. You see when that pulse occurs it makes all the muscles contract. I remember 21 years ago this month I was told by the amputation team that I could be left with chronic phantom pain. Thank goodness I have not had to bear that fate. I truly am not sure how I could live that way.

now speaking of PETA:
I need to give credit to the PETA website for this copy and paste. Something to ponder. (We will have a test and discussion at a later date.)


Yesterday we wrote to Whitefish High School and suggested that it change its name to Sea Kitten High in order to let people know that sea kittens are just as deserving of love as their land-dwelling counterparts. We were so excited to hear back from Jerry House, the Whitefish schools Superintendent. Superintendent House announced that he thinks the change would be a great idea, not just for the high school, but for the whole city!
House suggested that instead of "Sea Kitten," it might be more appropriate to call the city "White Kitten," given Montana's lack of proximity to the ocean. "White Kitten High School, the White Kitten City Council, the White Kitten Fire Department—it has a certain ring to it, don't you think?" We really do think so, Superintendent House, and we love that you can see our point so clearly.
And if you break the law, House warns, "[Y]ou'll be arrested by the White Kitten Police Department, and taken to the White Kitten Jail, where you'll be treated with soft, furry paws and a purr of compassion." Aww … I'm totally moving to Montana.
He even suggested that the new name would bring new business to the town—perhaps the National Federation of Sea Kittens, instead of the outdated National Federation of Fly-Fishers that they're used to? House looks forward to it: "The fur will be flying, and they'll have scratching post exhibits." They'd better get started on that name change, because it looks like they've got some prep work ahead of them. As our new favorite superintendent said, "[W]e're going to have to bring in lots and lots of litter boxes."
Posted by Lianne Turner

Comments

They have just made a big break through getting people to see fish differently and you think it is a waste of time? Even small steps make big impacts. If they change their name the story behind it will always be told and the important information that fish are intelligent and can feel pain will be passed on with it.
Posted by: Kate January 9, 2009 07:42 AM
I wouldn't want to work for the white kitten fire dept if I were a dude!! Too feminine. But I do understand the point of the name change.
Posted by: Ashley January 9, 2009 09:41 AM
Amen, Kate.
Glad you understand the situation ;-)
Posted by: Tom January 9, 2009 03:09 PM

Once again the universe is in alignment.
G2