My cute little kitten has turned into demon kitty. She attacks all the other animals and she bites and claws at us when we try to restrain her. It's like the cat version of the terrible two's. Since I started writing this I've gotten up three times to squirt her with the water bottle for attacking Zen and clawing the chair. I think I was always lucky to have such decently behaved cats in the past. She will chill out. Oh yes. She will.
I don't know where my registration info is for my webcam, so I'm having to use the stupid evaluation again until they respond to me. Here are some pics of Sphyg.
Kitten, really. About 4 months old. Barbara works at the ER in Alpine and this kitten had been hanging out there. They fed her a few times and Barb decided to bring her home. The ambulance from here happened to make a run that day, so she sent the kitten home with them. She's tiny, wirey and pretty quiet. I like her. Given the circumstances in which we received her, I named her Sphyg. Short fo Sphygmomanometer. Blood Pressure Cuff. That's my cat.
Surely I'll take pics sometime and show you.
says MarissaD at 11/18/2003 12:14:00 PM
November 16, 2003
Misti, I probaby couldn't name the ten commandments, much less argue about them. And I don't care if you baptise Davis or not, so you can not worry about that dream. It was dumb. :)
Amanda, that's the best email I've ever read. Tell your mom, kudos.
says MarissaD at 11/16/2003 05:09:00 PM
November 13, 2003
Also, a few weeks ago I picked out some old pictures of my parents that I really liked. I scanned them in last night. I love them. They are here.
I think I'll go look for the Fort Davis pics now..
says MarissaD at 11/13/2003 10:11:00 AM
November 12, 2003
Okay I guess I'll update again. I think I have a fear of updating from Ft. Davis because of the Mac. The setup on blogger is just so weird. It creeps me out.
Now to things that people might care about. I am apparently a member of the Jeff Davis County Volunteer Fire Department because I attended the fire school the put on a few weeks ago. I don't really mind. In fact it's cool as HELL. I got to drive the fire truck the other night. The EMS guy said I did better than most guys because it's a standard and I didn't sit there asking where the "Drive" shift was. Then as I was backing up, I almost turned into one of the cars they use to practice extrication on. I missed it, don't worry.
We learned how to use all the buttons and knobs and pulleys to get the pressure right and the right type of water squirting out of the hoses. We also got to play with the jaws of life, which are cool, but ohmygod so heavy. I probably won't be using those anytime soon. I start working out next week so I can have enough strength to actually do all this stuff. Right now, I have no idea how I'm doing any of it.
EMT school is cool. The first four and a half months of school will be for the 1st level, which is EMT-Basic. The second is EMT-Intermediate and the final is Paramedic. We went over anatomy this week and part of last week. When it was time to cover the reproductive organs, the instructor read over it really fast and said "Any questions?No?Okmovingon." I thought it was funny.
Did you know that a sphygmomanometer is a blood pressure cuff? Seems like a really not needed word for a really simple tool. I have to memorize how to spell it, which I did as soon as he said we have to memorize it. You'll never guess how it's pronounced. I'll just let you wonder. :)
Okay I'm outta here. Hope everyone is doing well. My computer should be up and running in a few days. Unless, oh I dunno, it EXPLODES, which wouldn't surprise me.
says MarissaD at 11/12/2003 08:56:00 PM
November 03, 2003
Time for an update about Dr. Lydia Grotti.
I talked about her situation awhile back and since then there have been some rather twisted changes. October 10, Dr. Grotti's license was revoked by the Medical board, despite the findings from the Administrative Law Judges who found that she did no harm to the patients in question. The Texas State Board of Medical Examiners did not confer with the Judges who came to these findings and they did not ask Dr. Grotti and questions about it.
October 27, Dr. Grotti was indicted for murder. She was indicted for the death of a patient that happened 3 years ago. In those three years, Dr. Grotti has had numerous favorable outcomes in various trials and peer reviews. What changed in those three years that they can now suddenly indict her? What made them decide to do it now? I don't know, but I have some wild thoughts in my head about the coincidences on this timeline.
The Fort-Worth Star Telegram ran a story about the indictment. It might answer some questions for some of you.
From the Star Telegram Story by Deanna Boyd:
(This is the case for which she has been indicted.)
"Grotti was working in the intensive care unit at John Peter Smith Hospital in December 2000 when she allegedly blocked the endotracheal tube of Lettie McGhee, a 64-year-old woman who had gone into cardiac arrest at the hospital.
Grotti has testified in a state hearing that she had pronounced McGhee dead an hour before blocking the tube and had obstructed the airway only to stop agonal respirations, or breaths that occur at death as the brainstem deteriorates. She testified that although she regrets blocking the tube, McGhee was already dead."
Another quote:
"Homicide Detective Sarah Jane Waters of the Fort Worth Police Department said she was not surprised by the grand jury's decision.
'In this situation we're dealing with a suspect who's supposed to be trying to save these people,' Waters said. 'The final conclusion was not only did she not do everything in her power to save this person, she hastened her death.' "
This genius detective obviously isn't really up with context clues. Thanks Detective Waters for telling a newspaper something to make yourself seem like a grand good deeds crusader. I would hope that most people would see the inaccuracies of Waters' statement, but I wouldn't bet that they get it. I'm not really sure how one can hasten anothers death when said dead person had already been dead for over an hour. When I heard and learned about this case, I didn't know what agonal respirations were. It took me about 3 minutes to understand it. Maybe Waters' is one of those slow types.
And something I've wanted to say to the family's of these people who have malpractice lawsuits going against Dr. Grotti: I understand that death can be painful, but it's a part of life regardless. I also understand that there are times when some doctors can make mistakes or be negligent in their duties. This is not one of those cases. Stop listening to your asshat lawyers who are just jumping on this malpractice bandwagon to make a quick buck. Deal with the deaths. Everyone in this world goes through it. I'm guessing none of the family's know what Dr. Grotti has been through.
If you want to read more specifically about the cases, you can visit Dr. Grotti's website. Right now she is really going through financial hell and has setup a fund to help out with her legal defenses. If you would like to help out, you can send money here:
Lydia H Grotti, MD, FCCP
Legal Defense Fund
c/o USAA Federal Savings Bank
10750 McDermott Freeway
San Antonio, TX 78288-0544
Make sure you have the account
number on your check (#23382473).
If you or anyone you know can help spread the word about this, it would be greatly appreciated. This is a serious injustice, one of many in the world, but it's something you might be able to help with. Spread the word.
says MarissaD at 11/03/2003 02:01:00 PM
November 02, 2003
This weekend was very good at work. I'm happy with the new job. I make pretty good tips, which I need. I'm saving up for a new computer, though I should say an additional computer. Hopefully it won't take long. I really need it to not take long at all. I also have some other equipment that I need to buy, soooo, I'm saving up. I start paramedic school this week. On Tuesday. I'm excited. :) I'm also feeling a bit puny right now, but it's all allergies. Not so much a real sickness. My computer is all better and thanks to Colosus, I have a legit copy of XP Pro, so I can go get it and hug it and kiss it and snuggle it and be happy again. I missed you computar. <3
