If we grow plants that are suitable to our zone, and if we learn to appreciate what we have, we don't need so many chemicals, if any. I have not sprayed for a number of years, and my roses are beautiful. When I took them to the State Fair last year, they were considered inferior, and some people gave me suggestions on how to prop them up, or how to do other things. Those people had no knowledge of the Antique roses. However, if you grow them, they are easy to love. I no longer desire the huge red pure rose with large clean leaves. I like what grows here. I would love to go to a local nursery with flowers grown locally, and buy a bouquet. It seems that our goals anymore are to get what is the rage and create circumstances that will make them grow locally. We need to use chemicals often, but not always. I would not skip termite treatment, and I am glad that there are ant baits because ants could overrun the world. But my roses are very pretty, and they don't need spray. What I dislike the most about these chemicals is the process of trying to decide if they are safe. It is just like so many pharmaceuticals (hormones for example). "OOPS, sorry women, this can cause heart disease instead of prevent it! So sorry!" Henry, I appreciate your introducing these papers from time to time. My point is that the proof should come before the sales. I could say more, but will stop now. I'm sorry that this is so long. Sammy

(((HUGS))) Lars. I'm not posting much any more, but I saw this and wanted to tell you I had parathyroid disease. The first indication were my calcium levels, which were very low as the parathyroid disease was sucking the calcium out of my bones. Sometimes it's hard to realize when your life isn't normal, as these things have a habit of creeping up on you, and your ''new normal'' seems like a continuation of the same old thing. They removed one parathyroid, and I have to tell you that within one week, I had my old energy back. That was when I realized things had really changed in a big way! The surgery was not a big deal, although I had to spend the night in the hospital so they could check on me until the next morning. (The worst part was I was in a room with a Laotian grandmother who spoke no English and was feeling so bad all she could do was moan. I finally went to sleep in the waiting room to get away from her until they moved me to a different room.) You will need a few days recovery time, but you'll be amazed at the difference in the way you'll feel in less than a week. The scar was miniscule, and in fact, I don't ever notice it any more, as the doctor made the incision in a normal neck fold. I just wanted you to know you will feel like a new man once you have that thing out of there, even with your current family trials. It's amazing how much your (para)thyroid can affect your hormone levels, which has everything to do with your health and feeling of well-being. You're going to be amazed at how much better you feel! (I think depression is also common because you're so tired and hormonal, although it's easy to think you're keeping up because it was a long time getting to that point.) I actually found someone doing the operation on-line and it was helpful to watch, since I knew what I could expect. The surgery itself lasts about 40 minutes, so you'll be in and out. I hope this helps you; it certainly helped me. My advice? Get it done ASAP; you'll be glad you did!

Thanks a lot! I wonder if the local compounding pharmacy can make the chews here (Raleigh NC)? I will look into it. I can only guess that my vet got caught up in the wild conversation between me and some of the staff that are friends of mine so much that important info didn't get handed to me. I had my dog there for her checkup at the same time and she's the class clown. I blame the holidays also for why the pharmacy didn't include anything other than a flier stating their new (reduced) office hours. I am only guessing what the medication is. I have no piece of paper from either my vet or the pharmacy that states what I bought. The vet phoned in the prescription, the pharmacy called me and I went by and picked it up. The tech told me that I was to pump out 1mg and apply it three times a day, alternating ears. I will be calling the vet tomorrow for more info. My ancient cat has always been a handful. I have had cats my whole life and I've never seen one like her - which is why I said she is mentally ill. She just doesn't do the things a normal cat does. Her bad bathroom behavior has existed her entire life, even when she was a tiny kitten. I'm an ex-zookeeper and can tolerate a lot of poop. She doesn't seem to be seeking out fabric to urinate or poop on because of a behavior issue, its more like she will only take 10 steps away from wherever she is sitting to use the bathroom. She has chosen to claim the basement as her kingdom and there are two large litter boxes that she will use to pee in, poop is a different story. I don't mind, when I get to be her age I imagine I will be painting the walls. She is one of those cats that will put up with any sort of medical treatment first thing in the morning when she's hungry. As long as food is involved I can catch her and do whatever. It is the second and third dose of the day that are my problems. If things aren't done just right she will freak out and hide. She's very good at hiding and I am very busy so I don't have a lot of time to move everything around to find her. Any medical or clean up tasks have to be done by me, no one will help me. I just worry that this whole experience is going to be way too much trouble and with her being 21 years old, it wouldn't surprise me if her kidneys or liver will show some problems after the thyroid is corrected... If she was visibly suffering I would do whatever it takes, but she seems the same as she's always been (aloof and cranky). Any weird stuff is the same weird stuff she's done for 21 years. I would consider the iodine treatment if she was younger, but she isn't. Thanks for your help. I had read most of those posts before I ever learned my cat had the same problem. I read and re-read everyones experiences with their hyperthyroid cats and it just seems like my problem is a bit different, more of a mechanical problem - How am I going to get this cat to put up with this treatment for the rest of her life? This isn't a cat that runs up to me to be petted or fed - she's not that friendly and she'll actively avoid humans for long stretches of time; and I'm busy and work long hours. How long is she gonna live? I've never had a cat live past 15 before.

Violet, my post disappeared or I must not have hit send, but I would start with the ins. covered doctor, and go from there. If she is not getting anywhere, then I would do a self-pay consultation with a homeopathic MD. I found one in her area (Dr. Soule) but have no idea how good he is. Anyway, that isn't the starting point, just good to know there are options, if that makes sense. She just shouldn't give up. Duluth, wow-- Addison's Disease. My dear friend, who was really more like a cousin to me, passed away from it. She was 10 and I was 12. It was undiagnosed. She was half Mexican, half Irish. Her mother (Mexican) was very pale . . .as was she. VERY pale. She came home from a trip to Mexico and her skin was unusually dark-- in a tone that I've never seen anyone with. Along with this, she had symptoms like licking pickles, licking the salt off potato chips. Her test scores went down. They put a cot in the classroom for her. Etc., etc. The doctors would NOT believe her mom. They said she was fine. Said she needed her tonsils out (now we are amazed she survived the operation). Said she got dark because she was Mexican. Doctor appointment after doctor appointment, and they turned her away. As her parents were sitting down to discuss what they would say at the doctor's appointment (scheduled for the following day)-- they were not going to leave without answers-- she went into cardiac arrest and passed away. I miss her dearly. Shortly thereafter she passed away, my father had a dentist appointment. Our dear friend's death was weighing heavily on his mind, and told the dentist her symptoms. The dentist immediately diagnosed her with Addison's Disease. We could never figure out how the dentist knew, and these doctors-- for years-- did not. If only we had information back then as we do now. So glad you were diagnosed and are OK.