Orange cat gene discovered, woman rescues rhinos, shy horse can’t be touched, and let’s get nutty for nudibranchs!
Now they need to isolate the zoomies gene.
Gene behind orange fur in cats found at last
Science, via Elizabeth G.
Aha! Maybe THEY have the zoomies gene!
Baby Rhinos Show Off Zoomies & Give Kisses To Lady Raising Them
Cuddle Buddies / YouTube, via NTMTOM
Quite a touching story.
This horse was afraid of human touch. So I adopted him
GeoBeats / YouTube, via NTMTOM
And finally: Colorful Creepy Crawlies
Everybody at the Monterey Bay Aquarium is nuts for nudibranchs. Okay, almost everyone. (via Thérèse B.)
I wanna hug a baby rhino…
So I need some moral support (I’d save it for Saturday but it’ll be too late then)…I had an appointment to see a surgeon next Friday to see if he thinks my gallbladder needs to be removed, and they called the other day to say he’s not going to be there that day but I can see the physician’s assistant who does surgery with him tomorrow. I said okay because otherwise I’m probably waiting another couple months, at least, but also I’m a little iffy on not seeing the actual doctor… (also my boss’s immediate reaction when I mentioned it was, “you didn’t say yes, did you?” which doesn’t make me feel better). At least I was able to find reviews about the doctor (for whatever they’re worth, but most of the ones I found were positive and the negative ones weren’t really about the quality of the actual care they got) but nothing about the PA. So I’m even more nervous than I already was…
(And then I started looking up what to expect if I do need surgery and found all the scary stuff about side effects and anesthesia and blood clots and had to force myself to close the computer.)
😭
Hugs, Allein. I’d say go to see the PA and get an opinion. Then get a second opinion before you schedule any surgery, etc.
Smart move, not to look at the surgery effects anymore. We can frighten ourselves to death with all the “what ifs?”. It’s important to know what could happen, but don’t make yourself suffer twice.
The kitties are sending soothing purrs.
Thanks..
I already have health anxiety and worry about every little twinge, so a tight muscle in my leg already gets me thinking “what if that’s a blood clot or something”…even though I have no history of that and no particular risk factors and it’s almost certainly just a cramp.
I had emergency gall bladder removal in my mid-thirties. It was not fun, but the surgery went fine. Had no idea that pain I got was due to a gall bladder! You don’t need one, so it’s not a big deal that way. I would definitely go for having it removed before you have an emergency like I did.
( Out of work for a week, but that was in 2005.)
I agree with Deb about the PA and second opinions. But it’s a frequently-done surgery, and quit looking at all the stuff that COULD go wrong!
Good luck!👍🏼⭐️
I’ve had pain occasionally for years, actually. I suspected it could be that, and it was actually bothering me the day I had a checkup so I couldn’t forget to mention it to my doctor, and she ordered an ultrasound (and then took three weeks to call me with the results, but when she called me herself I figured something wasn’t right, since usually it’s just someone from the office that calls with blood results). I started keeping track after that; it’s happened four times since early October (the 2nd and the 27th, then November 22nd and 24th). She also mentioned all the potential things that it can cause if things go bad, and I don’t want any of those.
I’m with the others. See the PA. Get a second opinion. I won’t tell you not to worry. Just do the things that will help you manage your concerns, such as: See the PA. Get a second opinion. 🙂
I’d absolutely want to see the surgeon, but IME the PA will have heard the standard briefing a thousand times, know all the warning signs of problem cases and contraindications, and everything that actually matters from, like, a “forewarned is forearmed” perspective. The surgeon earns their keep when something goes wrong, or they discover other issues while they’re in. It’s tempting to say “you’ll be fine,” but that’s kind of the whole issue: there are no guarantees, and you’re not dumb. But you’ll probably be fine.
At the very least, the surgeon knows it’s his ass on the line if the PA screws the pooch.
For what it’s worth, my mom had her gallbladder yoinked, and there really wasn’t much ado.
I figure she’s just reviewing the scans that were done in October (which said I have a 2.5cm gallstone, which is just under an inch) and doing an exam. I googled “do PAs do surgery” and found that they can do some minor things with local anesthesia on their own, but not with general anesthesia. I assume the doctor will also review things. Not against PAs in general (I see one for dermatology) but potential surgery is scary.
My mom had hers out several years ago. She was fine.
Remember that you’re being proactive about your health, which is good.
Yes, surgery isn’t what you do on a slow day but there are times when its better in the long run.
And not that I suggest this but they’re practically outpatient/drive through at this point. Its a well-established procedure that is done routinely every day.
also know that we’re in for you in a emotional/spiritual way. I’d drive up to sit with you but not sure that would help.
I think I just feel a little thrown right now because I was expecting to see a surgeon and now I’m seeing a PA instead…but at the same time I have no reason to think she’s not qualified to make an assessment…
Love the nudibranchs so much. One species looks just like my air plants.
I had a student do her research project on nudibranchs in 4th grade (2008). They are so cool and colorful, and the way they move is so interesting!
Ginger research is fascinating.
What a day!
Nu-dee-brank! Nu-dee-brank! Nu-dee-brank!
How can anyone ‘get over’ such fantastical brilliant gorgeous and graceful creatures?!
And then we have BABY RHINOS giving KISSES!
It’s been a long time since I was able to hang out and just *play* with a horse like Rudnik but it was sweet to see that and remember Chief.
Tortie cats explained–the Lyon hypothesis confirmed but in a way no one could have suspected, genetics for the win!
Rudnik’s smile at the end was the best. 🙂
To be fair, that guy *knew* he screwed up when he said he was over the nudibranchs. That was hilarious.
Finally met Rudnick and the baby rhinos–they have stolen my heart! Rudnick’s bromance is hilarious. Rhino baby zoomies are contagious and way more fun when the critters are little. A grown rhino zooming would be pretty scary.