The priests of the goddess of plague are doctors

[dreamer_easy]

I think it's in Image of the Fendahl where Leela says, "My tribe has a saying: if you're hurt, look for a man with scars". This invented proverb has long helped me make sense of my life. Call it a divine plan, or call it finding meaning in events: the reason I am ill in so many ways is so that I can learn how to help others when they are ill. Nobody escapes illness; it's an inevitable feature of a universe that literally wouldn't exist without imperfection. I've just had more practice at it than some (and less than others).

To boil these cosmic speculations down to a concrete example: if I didn't have diabetes, I wouldn't have been forced to overcome my fear of needles, and I wouldn't be able to give Frank his painkilling injections.

Because I'm so trashed so much of the time, I'm never going to be a Florence Nightingale, nor a mother. During Frank's weeks of sickness, I've often found myself thinking that even looking after a cat is too bloody hard, financially*, physically**, and emotionally, and that, once the boys are gone, that is it, I will never get another pet.

The awful thing is, I think I might actually be good at this.


* Insure your pets. Insure your pets. Insure your pets. (We'll be fine, thanks to Frank's bank account - and thank gods, because you do not want to be making decisions based on cost.)

** Jon is providing all kinds of essential support - especially keeping the laundry going! Frank's ability to get cat food, water, drool, Flagyl, and poo all over everything is proving prodigious. :)

Comments

[outsdr.livejournal.com]

"I wouldn't have been forced to overcome my fear of needles, and I wouldn't be able to give Frank his painkilling injections."

I was going to comment on this the other day, and say how proud I was that you were able to overcome your fear of needles and give Frank injections.

And then I thought, what if she doesn't realize she should be afraid, and will once I mention it?

So I didn't say anything, lol. But I'm still proud of you.

[dreamer-easy.livejournal.com]

I am so fucking determined I scare myself. Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!!!

[outsdr.livejournal.com]

"Courage isn't just a matter of not being frightened, you know. It's being afraid and doing what you have to do anyway."

The Doctor, Planet of the Daleks.

[outsdr.livejournal.com]

Also, you're right on pet insurance. Ike costs me between $100-200 monthly. I don't have insurance for him, unfortunately, but am luckily able to afford this.

It helps that I have a good relationship with my vet. This is another important point- over the years, Ike has become one of her special patients. She's come to see him in emergency situations, and hasn't charged me.

And look for opportunities to barter- my vet now comes to me for all her computer problems. Ike's last bottle of pills ($200/90 day supply) was traded for cleaning a virus off her machine.

[dreamer-easy.livejournal.com]

Verrry interesting! Jon has been known to barter his computer skills for various goods and services! :D

[jblum.livejournal.com]

Kate's been threatening to rent me out to various women. I'm faintly alarmed.

[travlr1.livejournal.com]

The Wounded Healer is a very important archetype, especially in shamanistic terms. He can heal you because he's been there. (Thinking of the Doctor for a moment, how has he been wounded? Uh, there's a whole motif that has probably already been explored in a novel, hasn't it? I don't remember, its been so long since I read a Doctor Who novel... I was just staring at my literal bookshelf full of EDAs at my grandmother's house...) Ah, anyway, yes, the wounded healer (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wounded_healer). Very important thought. :)

[dreamer-easy.livejournal.com]

This is fascinating and I shall pursue it. *tips hat*

[alryssa.livejournal.com]

It's a phrase that makes a lot of sense - I mean, even the Ancient Egyptians understood the idea, why else was Sekhmet both the bringer AND healer of disease? Duh, she knows what it's all about!

[kelemvor.livejournal.com]

It's "Robots of Death", as she applies a bandage to Toos.

And I know what you mean about pets. When Mum was raising her neighbours' kittens (don't ask), it ended up costing her over £100 when they were healthy!

[dreamer-easy.livejournal.com]

It's "Robots of Death"

Oh, of course! XD