Re: , Steve Irwin & other stuff

[Guest guest]

Hi RA Family,

I am so behind on my emails, but will try to cover everything.

1. , thanks so much for the throat articles. I have started speech

therapy and it looks like I will need to get an amplifier headset so I can

continue to keep doing programs. They also gave me some exercises, showed me

exactly where to apply massage, told me the foods I need to avoid and gave

me some other good tips to reduce the strain on my throat.

2. About Steve Irwin

A. I first heard the news at about 3:00 am and figured it was just another

of those rumors that went around every few years. I cannot tell you how many

times he supposedly died. The incident was so bizarre that I just figured it

was yet another rumor. I awoke about 6:30 am and checked all three major

networks to confirm the news and fell back to sleep with the tears still wet

on my face. I am attaching a tribute below that was sent to me.

B. The stingrays first line of defense is to flee from perceived dangers. If

given the chance, they will leave. In Steve's case, a cameraman was filming

the stingray from the front and Steve was swimming above. Usually an animal

will show some signs of being uncomfortable and you know to back off. Either

the stingray did not show any signs or Steve (as he was wont to do) was

pushing just a little too hard and the animal felt trapped and responded in

the only way it knew how. I'm sure we will know more details as the film is

reviewed. The majority of stingray envenomations occur when the animal is

stepped on. There are very few " attacks " from stingrays and very few deaths.

It is thought that the piercing of his heart is what caused Steve's death

and that the venom had little to no involvement in his cause of death.

3. My websites.

Some of you have expressed interest in what I do and I am always glad to

share. These animals are so misunderstood, underappreciated and so maligned.

Although I did not always agree with Steve's methods, he can be credited

with sharing his enthusiasm and love of these creatures to the younger

generation. I like to think I do the same, if just on a smaller scale. Here

are my web sites:

Froghaven Farm http://www.froghavenfarm.com

Tennessee Herpetological Society http://home.mindspring.com/~froghaven/

Snakes of Tennessee http://frogsandsnakes.homestead.com/snakes.html

Lizards of Tennessee http://tnlizard.homestead.com/home.html

Bats of Tennessee http://froghavenfarm.homestead.com/bats.html

Frogs and Toads of Tennessee http://www.state.tn.us/twra/frogs.html

Salamanders of Tennessee http://www.state.tn.us/twra/salamanders.htm

4. Advice about pets.

I have owned most every type of pet available. I have also worked many years

in the pet industry. It has long been shown that there are health benefits

to owning pets. But not all pets are easy to take care of when you are

dealing with chronic disease. If you are interested in obtaining a pet; I

will be happy to help you select a pet that is right for you.

And if you do not want that responsibility at this time, I would strongly

urge you to find a way to connect with Nature. There are many trails and

greenways that are ADA accessible and people who spend time outdoors have

lower stress than people who don't. And we all know that STRESS exacerbates

DISEASE! It can also help to alleviate depression! If you need ideas on

places to go, give me a shout. I can also refer you to resources that will

help you identify those plants and creatures you may come across. NATURE

HEALS!

5. Antibiotics and my RA.

Patsy wrote:

> I just wondered if you have read much about RA being treated with

antibiotics? A friend of mine had had severe RA for at least a decade when

he had to have heart surgery. While on IV antibiotics for the surgery, his

RA went into remission. He was RA free for a few years, but it did

eventually come back. He now goes to a clinic in Riverside where he is

treated with antibiotics and a strong dose of " good bacteria " for his

stomach each day. He is doing great.

I have tried oral sulfasalazine with no improvement. Basically I have tried

everything but Celebrex & Bextra, including some that were still

experimental. The Humira is working well and the majority of my RA has

subsided to a tolerable level. I still have some fatigue and have to make

sure I schedule down time for I have a tendency to go full speed when I can,

then I get worn down and become ill. It is a hard lesson to learn.

6. There is hope!

I know there are those of you who are suffering terribly right now and my

heart goes out to you. It is difficult to find your way through all the

pain, depression, fatigue, bad doctors and a health care system that is

difficult at best. Please keep faith though, that you will find the answers

and treatment that you need. I have been fighting this disease for at least

27 years and feel like I have been to the gates of Hell and back; I never

gave in. I finally found the best combination of doctors who were good

advocates for me; I got the physical and occupational therapy I needed. And,

eventually they started producing the drugs that would slowly bring me back

from those gates. My quality of life is now better than it has ever been. I

do not sweat the small stuff; I embrace every day as if it were my last; and

I truly know what is important in life. If I were to die tomorrow, I would

have no regrets! Many healthy people never grasp these concepts; so look at

your disease as a chance to grow. The most remarkable people I know, are

those who have faced adversity and come out on top!

Finally, if I have not responded to your question, please ask again. It has

been a very active week for me and like many of you my short-term memory is

not very good. Ebony, Tawny, and Dennis, I especially hold you in my

heart and want nothing but painfree days and many friends for you! In fact,

I wish that for all of you here!

7. Tribute - Steve Irwin Crosses the Rainbow Bridge:

> The Rainbow Bridge is a place of

> both peace and anticipation as departed pets await their beloved

> owners. There are plenty of things to keep them contented while they

> wait; trees you can't get stuck in, endless meadows, splashing

> streams, thickets perfect to hide in for pounce-attack games. But one

> day the residents noticed some rather unusual newcomers arrive. The

> koalas and the kangaroos slipped in rather quietly but then came the

> bearded dragons, the skinks, and the goannas. The influx of snakes

> startled an entire family of cats up a tree. Pythons, cobras, tiger

> snakes, brown snakes, and even fierce snakes. There were so many at

> one point, it seemed the ground itself was alive with writhing. A

> burly wombat shouldered his way through the crowd and plopped down in

> a shady spot, barely missing a Jack terrier who yapped

> indignantly as he abandoned his position. And then the crocodiles

> showed up. Finally, a Great

> Dane managed to get up enough nerve to approach one of the reptilian

> giants. " Um.... excuse me, " he said hesitantly, " but why are you all

> here? " The croc dropped her jaw and laughed. " Same as you, mate, " she

> said. " Waitin' for someone who loved us. " The dogs, cats, gerbils, and

> other " typical pets " looked at each other in confusion, then at the

> plethora of weird, ugly, and downright deadly creatures assembled. Who

> on Earth could possibly love some of those faces? " I see him! " shouted

> a green mamba from his vantage point in one of the trees. A cacophony

> of squeaks, hisses, bellows and roars erupted as the mob surged

> forward toward a lone human walking across the field toward the

> bridge. The other animals managed to catch a glimpse of him before he

> was overwhelmed by the crowd. " CRIKEY! " he shouted joyously right

> before he was bowled over by the wombat. " Well, I'll be, " said a

> Persian as she tidied up her fur. " It's that Aussie my human liked to

> watch on TV. Had

> to be the craziest human on the whole planet. " " Oh, please, " remarked

> an echidna as he hurried by, " Is it really that crazy to passionately

> love something God made? "

~posted by a fan on the Crocodile Hunter website~

Please say a prayer for Steve, his beloved family and the creatures he held

dear to his heart.

Warmest Hugs,