[theoddz]

Deanna, I want to personally thank you and quite a few others here, including, but not limited to Waxnrope, JustLovelyJenn, the ever kind and lovely Lady Pamela, NYCfemmebbw, Spirit Dancer, Tommi, my friend Wolfy and Jesse, Durrrrr, just to name a few....for all of the support, love, thoughts, prayers and healing energies sent to my little Ivan, Myra and myself during this horrid time that Ivan's been sick.

I've never felt alone, during this entire time, thanks to you all standing stalwartly behind me, every step of the way. I thought I was going to lose Ivan, more than once, and that tends to make someone feel very alone and sad. I've felt you all, in my heart, and I've felt the strength coming through in giant waves from you all, especially during those times when I'd be standing helplessly by, watching my precious Ivan as he gasped and grimaced from pain. I don't know as I would have ever had the strength or courage...or faith....to push on and to take a chance that Ivan would pull through, but I did, and Ivan did....with YOUR help. It's funny that I can do the job I do and manage to detach myself from the emotional part of it, even when humans are concerned, yet when faced with watching the suffering of my little frog and possibly losing him, I have just turned to a puddle of tears.

Ivan's just a little frog, and I've seen some people here in r/t roll their eyes and tell me "That's a $20 frog...go get another one.", but he's MY IVAN and he's got a huge personality and a strong will to fight. He wants to live and he's determined to stick it out until he's well. I feel that from him, like he's saying "Don't count me out and by G-d, don't give up on me!!". Well, we haven't and won't give up on him. I know I couldn't do this without you all behind me, sending that strength and energy. I thank you all for that, one and all. Deanna, I especially thank you for all the encouragement and support. You are such a kind and wonderful woman. I think you must be one of G-d's angels, sent down to us, that we hear about in faith circles, etc.

I'm not religious, in any way, but I consider myself to be very spiritual. I have a strong distaste for organized religion, though I was raised Southern Baptist. My faith is strong, though, because after nearly 22 years in health care, I know there is a power higher than ourselves. I believe in G-d.

Oh, and Ivan is resting comfortably here at home today. He's in The Big Frog House with Myra now, chilling out on the floor, behind the waterfall, sleeping. I'm leaving him alone, keeping things quiet and peaceful, and allowing him to get used to being home again. Tonight he'll be back up sitting in the waterfall, beside Myra, and everything will be right in "frogland" again. Ivan still has a blockage going on, but it looks like things are moving through a little at a time, very slowly. That's okay. I have a couple of antibiotics to give to him and I'll be having him soak in a nice warm calcium bath in the evenings. I'm going to make sure that little guy has the very best of care and the very best chance possible to survive this the rest of the way. More than anything, he's going to know that he is loved and supported by not only his dad, but by many, many friendly supporters who are cheering him on!!

Thank you all so much.

~Theo~