Your Thoughts/Prayers Needed!

Hi all,

This Thursday morning, my little dog "Icypole" was admitted to the pet hospital. He was feeling down, moving lethargically and had some involuntary head shaking that sometimes shook him so hard he was being shook off his paws.

After some IV treatment to keep his fluids up and some oral antibiotics, the vet, my partner and I felt that we had got on top of his illness. We were able to collect him from the hospital on Friday afternoon, happy that our little boy was home with us. For a few hours things looked promising, but soon his shaking was much more severe, he accidentally wee-ed on our bed (Icy felt so bad for doing so), and his temperature went up again. He was restless all night and could not get comfortable in any room of the apartment.

Saturday morning he was due for another blood test, so we took him back to the hospital. The vet agreed that he should remain at the hospital for observation, while reverting back to the IV but this time with intravenous antibiotics. Xrays were to be taken in the afternoon as our little boy was also developing a cough. We went home worried that he had gotten worse, and I wished we did not remove him from the hospital so soon..

Halfway through the afternoon, my partner contacted me asking to call him immediately. I got him on the phone and he said that the vet at the hospital wanted to speak to us about Icypole ASAP. As my partner was about to start work, I quickly hopped a bus (train was 25min wait-time) to the hospital. Once I arrived I was immediately taken to the Xray room, quiet and away from the animals and the noise of the hospital.

The vet explained that Icypole has a number of issues with his health. Xrays showed that he has problems with his lungs, possibly fluid or a an viral/bacterial/fungal infection. Basically the x-ray of his chest was cloudy white - not a good sign, but not surprising having heard his breathing. The x-rays also showed the right side of his heart looking swollen, but this could have been due to his slight heart murmur he has always lived with. Another x-ray also showed a possible collapsed disc in his back. The vet explained it however did not really explain his head shaking due to the way a pinched nerve normally reacts. Also Icy's trachea was not sitting correctly, due to either the swelling of the heart, or the swelling of the lymphs. Further, his blood tests showed his white blood cells , critical for fighting illness, were very low, and while his body is still producing them, not enough to be improving his health.

Seeing my eyes swell with tears, the vet handed me the closest thing to a tissue he could find, a medical swab. Immediately once he gave me it, I started to cry streams of tears down my face. My little boy has brought my partner and I so much joy its hard to put it into words. I guess for anyone who has a human child, I guess this is how you feel when they are in hospital. Some people might say a dog is a dog, but seriously, I have kept a number of pets over the years, but none have ever formed such a close connection with me as this little white dog. He truely is my little adopted "boy" from "Doggie Rescue"...

The vet then took me to sit with Icy. He was still a little sedated from the medication that was administered to keep him still for the x-rays. I sat with him, and just let tears down my face as I patted him. I didn't want him to be distressed by me moaning and crying and out. One of the staff came by and gave me some water and tissues, and I sat there on the floor next to Icy's cage until my partner arrived. I asked the vet to speak with my partner about Icy if he had the time, just so he knew everything - I figured I would forget to mention some things while I remained upset.

After what felt like an eternity, my partner arrived, and we were invited to take Icy into a private consultation room to spend time with him. We moved him, with his IV's attached, and spent time patting and chatting to him. The vet took the time to again chat with us. (This man is brilliant! He knows what he's talking about, and has the most beautiful bed manner. I'm so very glad he took on Icy's case for the day.)

With a quick blood test before we left, it was then time for us to move Icy back into the hospital area for the staff to monitor him. With him almost guaranteed to spend the next few days at the hospital, we felt better in the knowledge that he will remain stable until then. Unfortunately it does not look like he will get better alone, so we need to wait for the long weekend (it's a Monday public holiday in Sydney - Labour Day) to finish before we can use the vet's referral to see some specialists.

Through this evening, we had contact with the hospital twice. Around 7pm the vet confirmed that the blood test they conducted at the hospital showed his white blood cell count had gone up to just under the "low" range - which he said is good news. He did say that the standards/techniques that the Lab will do may produce slightly different results, but that at least it was a positive sign. We then spoke to him around 10:45pm to find out the Lab results and for a general update on Icy's condition. Unfortunately the results were not in yet, and Icy's condition had not improved.

Basically that's where we are up to with him this evening. With many tears shed and tissues sacrificed, we will be there at the hospital first thing Sunday morning to visit him in person. We have planned not to stop fighting for his little life. Many people, I know, feel that a dog with illnesses like his should be "put down".. it's the most humane thing to do apparently! I strongly believe however, that if a child was in the dog's place, there would be no such discussion. I will not take away his life due to any inconvenience it may cause me, financial or otherwise.. This little creature means so much to us, and us to him - I will not take his life away.. He has given so much to us, he deserves whatever it takes from us to make him better..

Now, many of you know I'm an atheist. I don't believe that prayer helps a sick person or animal, but since the dog has not declared his faith (at least to me!), I ask that if you're religious, you say a prayer for my little dog Icypole, or if not, that at very least you could send some positive vibes that he gets better.. (that's what Im doing!)

We will take anything that will make him better - I will not turn anything away..

I will keep everyone posted of course..

My love to you for reading this (novel!)...

Shelley
xxx

Shelley does APEC.. Well the Protest March!

I always love a good protest march, but this one I was disappointed in.. The police presence sucked big time! They were completely rude and intimidating. The speeches could hardly be heard for all the helicopters and the mass of Police Lockup Buses was inappropriate and completely out of proportion. Don't get me wrong, I love the fact it was non-violent and that if it did get violent there were Police to protect people and property, but why the rude and intimidating police force against people who had not shown any such signs of violent behaviour? (BTW, I say people and property, but I don't think that in the event of a crazy protester wielding a knife, that they would allow us refuge behind their lines!)

No one was causing trouble, in fact I'm sure there is much more trouble each year at Mardi Gras. At least there the police politely wave you off on the right direction.

The thing that also really pissed me off was the fact that the march limited to a length of 2 blocks! I didn't care if we had to march away from the APEC security zone to Central! I felt my right to protest was squashed - it was pathetic!

The police funnelled the 10,000 strong crowd into Hyde Park via a pedestrian footpath. We had no choice, a bus on one side, a shoulder to shoulder police line on the other... what was completely stupid is that once I made it into Hyde Park, I walked around and stood behind the Police line.. what was the point of not allowing the protesters on Park St through Hyde Park when they can walk around the edge of the Police line to stand in almost the same spot? Who knows!

Eventually the Police line was moved back when they realised the stupid plan they had made. Clearly the flow of protesters off the road was hampered by their funnel effect. This was eventually done of course, but not before the water-cannon and police force pushed the march on from the back.

I understand the need for protection of the 21 world leaders of APEC. What I don't understand is why our city has been turned into a police state, with laws that can be used at any time the government wants! These laws have no sunset clause! This should be our real concern!

KRAVE

Krave was a heap of fun as always on Friday night - not to mention a welcome getaway from the constant helicopters flying over my house for APEC (They are still doing it now as I type! Grrr!)

I even had some work colleagues from Ticketmaster (my day-job) come up to watch the show. It was fab to see some friendly, albeit mildly shocked, faces in the audience!

I performed "Stronger", and old Britney song, in honour of her attempt at re-launching her career tonight at the MTV Music Awards. Second show was "Viva La Diva" (Dana International) after the Krave Krew announced my DIVA win to the crowd, followed by Taylor Dane's "Can't Get Enough of Your Love Baby".

After a drink or two and a chat with my friends, we headed back to Sydney for a spot of rest before the APEC Protest March the next day!

(Read my next blog for the details!)

Rock Eisteddfod - Sydney Open/Premiere GF

** WARNING **

Shelley is very passionate about Rock Eisteddfod and the blog below shows just a little how fanatical she is about it!

***************

This week I watched the Rock Eisteddfod Open AND Premier Sydney Grand Finals!

How much fun do those kids have!

I am a "rocka kid" from way back.. 93-96' to be exact! (oh I'm old!!!) I remember the excitement of being on such a big stage, with thousands watching and cheering, big sets, lights and complex dance routines... It's like a Mardi Gras Show experience really - just a lot less gay of course!

The Open GF was obviously not as top quality at the Premier Division, but had some great performances in it. The stand out for me was Woolooware High School! Their performance of "Seven Brides for Seven Brothers" was well above the standard of the rest of the other schools in their Division. It was like chalk and cheese.. It's like putting Cathy Freeman (for the non-aussies, she is our gold winning Olympic runner) against a line of Drag Queens in heels for a sprint race - the difference in standard was staggering! (Boom Boom!)

However, as per last year's Premier Division, the judges wouldn't know a good show if it f**ked them up the arse! (i.e. Northmead's placing!) Woolooware High School was judged as 3rd place. This fortunately now allows them to enter the Premier Division next year, but really, they got 3rd place??? At any other time, this is a wonderful position to attain, but there is absolutely no doubt that they were completely deserving of 1st place. No one came close to their professionalism, their extremely high production values - sets, costumes, soundtrack, choreography - all exceptional! Woolooware should clearly have won the Open Division competition. Full stop.

Calming down and moving on..

The Premier GF was awesome - as to be expected! The most complex and magical set changes I've seen in my life! Oh how I long for the chance to use sets like these guys! And just think - Mardi Gras shows would be the most awesome ever if we had sets like some of those schools' entries!

Now I have a few favourite schools I look for ever year in Sydney...

Pymble Ladies College
Rooty Hill Senior High
Randwick Girls/Boys High (Combined)
Northmead Senior High

With Pymble and Rooty Hill only entering the competition every 2nd year, it left me to drool over Randwick and Northmead's performances..

Rankwick Girls/Boys High Schools combined did a show titled, "Tank Girl". The heroine, in a future Sydney which resembled a dry wasteland, fights the authorities to give water back to the people in need. It was innovative, exciting, dramatic and colourful. They had incredible sets, used a cartoon styled "biff" and "ka-pow" for fight scenes which were fun. The general feel of the show you could describe as "tom-boyish", and was an all-around favourite to take the title. In the end it was the first place winner of the night and certainly deserved it - an awesome show - they should be very very proud!

Northmead - Well I fell in love with this school last year when it blew me away with one of the best live performances Ive ever seen in the Rock Eisteddfod competition. In fact when they only got 4th place, I wanted to walk out of the Sydney Entertainment Centre!

This year they did a story on Al Capone. Starting with a very funky scene on a lamp posted street, it followed the lead character through his dealings and killings in Chicago, from diners to casinos! Eventually the authorities catch up to him and he is jailed. As I expected, the choreography was the tightest, funkiest and best of the night! The sets were awesome - delivering quick and dramatic changes to scenes.. This schools rocks! I wish I could go back to high school just to do Northmead Rock Eisteddfods!

I'm getting worked up again... Calming down... breathing slowly...

Now they came 3rd, which was ok this time - it was a tight finish for the top 3.. so the judges are safe this year!

I can't wait for next year now! It will be amazing! I'm thinking - see Sydney and Melbourne this time! That way I can see one of my longtime favourite schools of all compete, multiple National winner St Columbus College! That would mean next year I would see all 4 of my top Sydney schools, plus my all-time favourite in one year LIVE!

Oh I'm about to pee my pants! Gotta go!