2008 ← Ellen Shapiro dot com

Dear 2008 1

Dec

31

2008

Get out, and don’t you even think about coming back, you vile, stupid, wretched, awful year. To a better 2009, and the setting of a very low bar.

I kept drunkenly telling everyone in the bar in Connecticut that I was ecstatic Northwestern was even in a bowl, let alone leading going into the 4th quarter. But I’m not going to lie: I went apeshit when Mizzou missed that field goal, and I was so dissapointed that despite all our effort, we still ...

Patient Updates

Dec

28

2008

Patient: My aunt Status: Released from hospital Notes: Significant improvement from when I first arrived in CT. Gnarly scar on her neck from carotid surgery that’s going to be lots of fun to explain to my grandmother, but otherwise on the road to recovery. Has 23 pound cat now providing round the clock snuggle therapy ...

Kisses Ground 1

Dec

25

2008

I made it to Connecticut! My computer broke and my landing in CT was one of the more nerve-racking I’ve experienced due to crazy winds, but I’m here! The way my week’s been going, I consider it a win that the plane didn’t slide off the runway. Will update more once I a) get my ...

Hooray! 4

Dec

23

2008

Chaplin’s procedure went well this afternoon, so there’s a good possibility he won’t need any more surgery! And even if he does, it’s surgery that sounds a lot less severe and complication-ridden than the worst case scenario that they were discussing. I can’t even describe what a weight this is off my mind, and how ...

For The Record

Dec

23

2008

In case any of you were wondering, I am not the Ellen Shapiro mentioned in this story. Hint #1 is that the story mentions she was married in 1968, whereas I was born in 1981. Also, I am not married. Also, I cannot legally get married (thanks, Prop 8!). Hint #2 is that my father ...

Cross Your Fingers

Dec

22

2008

They’re going to take a shot at another procedure tomorrow that might, if it works and he gets lucky, keep Chaplin from needing any more surgery. I’ll refrain from spelling out the details to spare the delicate sensibilities of the gentlemen in the audience, but let’s just say that if this works, the outcome is ...

Stoned Kitty 3

Dec

21

2008

I went to visit Chaplin tonight during the animal hospital’s visiting hours, and I’ve come back significantly reassured about how he’s doing. Especially after what happened last night. After I posted last night, there were complications. While they were trying to cathetrize and manually unblock him, his urethra tore (cue all the guys reading this ...

Too Quiet 1

Dec

20

2008

I thought the earlier barfing incident was just Chap’s usual adventures in hairball-tasticness, but apparently not. He got really listless and cranky tonight, and after puking IN his litterbox then barely being mobile and crying in pain, I took him to the vet. He’s got some sort of urinary blockage that they’re going to have ...

Good Timing, Chap

Dec

20

2008

One of my PAs who’s going to be in town for the holidays agreed to come by and feed Chaplin for a couple days (for a nominal fee, obviously) while I’m gone. In order to make sure he knows where I live and where everything is, I had him come by this morning. So as ...