Okay, the good news is that Blanche is stable and may even wind up in a regular hospital room in a few days. She had a tear in the aorta rather than having it rupture, and right now it is not even weeping. Her systolic pressure will have to always be kept at about 110 so they will have to greatly rearrange their lives, but it is do-able -- just a matter of figuring out how to eliminate stairs, housework, etc. Boy, are we glad they have such capable nurses and physicians to rely upon! Here's the scary ferret thing: Steve and I picked up some supplies today, and Steve noticed that a chocolate male kit was mildly convulsing -- NOT something one tends to see in a kit. Got an employee and took care of the little guy; turns out he had wound up in a deep sleep and had plugged his nostrils and most of his mouth with woodchips (pine) and saw dust. Never have heard of it to this extent before (except with clumping litter with some). He was so pale that his nose was cream color. Anyway, he was fine after a little time, but since he scared the hell out of the employee hopefully they will be more careful and if they continue using woodchips (exasperated noise) perhaps they at least will put in only a small amount. Everyone is cleaned up and all's fine right now. Sukie [Posted in FML issue 1874]