Today, we took Maximus for his last visit to University of Guelph’s small animal hospital. He finished up his radiation treatments two weeks ago and, this morning, he was in for one of his last anti-cancer vaccines. While the initial results of the radiation treatment were encouraging in that we saw a shrinkage in the mass of the tumor, ensuing treatments had little effect and, eventually, the tumor returned to it’s original size suggesting a particularly aggressive melanoma. According to the radiation oncologist, our best shot now is that the anti-cancer vaccine encourages his immune system to fight the cancer. Positive results would manifest themselves in 2-3 months after the initial vaccine – which was two months ago.
When we get back to Vancouver, I’ll take him to a holistic vet and see what they can recommend for my little guy.
Mailbag:
kabra writes: “Does she see us Westerners as an odd sort? What was her biggest adjustment?”
Answer: Funnily enough, her biggest adjustment was the customer service here in North America. Let’s just say it’s a little less professional here than it is in Japan. One of the things she found particular odd was the post-purchase exchange. She would say “Thank you” and the salesperson would respond “You’re welcome”. In Japan, she would say “Thank you” and the salesperson would say “Thank you” back. For the life of her, she couldn’t understand why people were saying “You’re welcome”, as if they were doing her a favor, when, in fact, she was the one helping them out by shopping at their store. I explained that the employee mindset is very different here than it is in Japan. In Japan, employees consider themselves part of the company they work for, so they ARE thankful for your business. In North America, employees are hired guns with no real loyalty to the company they work for, so they couldn’t care less whether you shop there or not – unless, of course, they’re swinging some sort of commission on the sale.
archersangel writes: “i support an akemi Q&A too, but maybe start her off slow with 1 or 2 questions first.”
Answer: I floated the idea today and she loved it. I also suggested we do a regular Ask Akemi advice column to get her unique Japanese take on matters of burning interest to the readers of this blog. She said she’d think about it.
James Runciman writes: “Joe, i’m a moderator for alvaro’s comicboards (www.comicboards.com) and i was wondering if you’d like to do a q+a for us if your interested?”
Answer: Sure. How to proceed?
James Runciman also writes: “i was also wondering what other project you’d like to eventually go on to? what kind of influences would you say you’ve had for dark matter?”
Answer: Future projects? Not sure. Paul and I are entertaining several possibilities. Ideally, however, we’d love to do our own show – preferably Dark Matter which launches in comic book form in January and which we’ll be going out to pitch as a television series soon after. As for influences for Dark Matter? Hmmm. Tough to say.
Jasper writes: “1.) Do you walk around with a notebook allday to make notes for your blog/writing assignments?”
Answer: Nope, it’s all in my head. Which is why I get it wrong half the time.
“2.a) you mentioned that you have a Home Theatre, Did you build it your self or did you have a company working on it? 2.b)Can you show us some pix/ tech spec’s of the room 2.c)what are tech spec’s of the room and equipment”
Answer: I hired a company to build it. Pics and specs will have to wait until I’m back in Vancouver.
“3.a)Do you have a 3D projector and what do you think of the 3D revolution that is going on. 3.b)Do you think that ,in time tv shows will be broadcasted in 3D, that it will add something extra for you as writer to keep in mind while writing the stories?”
Answer: Honestly? I think it’s a fad. 3D productions are nothing new, only the technology and experienced has changed.
iom666 writes: “Oh medical exam ?? so that means you’re the sponsor for Akemi’s permanent residency permit ?”
Answer: That’s the plan.
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