Am I a different person before and after cancer? Yes, most definitely. But what about the little things that come into our lives everyday? Did I chill out at all? I would have to say yes to that as well - ah, sometimes.

Do I need to clean the kitchen or should I go to the beach? I always like to have an immaculate kitchen so this is a tough one for me! I could call myself a neat freak except that I have messy drawers but everything on the surface has to look perfect.

So, my advice is -- Go to the beach!

I do have an easier time post breast cancer, saying to myself - ah, do it tomorrow, whats the big deal, its such a nice day.

Cancer has taught me that its ok to be messy sometimes, who cares! That is one of the many changes I have seen in my life.

I ask myself -- Am I smelling the roses? --as the old saying goes. I think I am. I really am.

Two days ago, 2005 Eclipse Award-winning sprinter Lost in the Fog was put to sleep due to cancer that could not be cured. Bloodhorse has a very nice write-up about this most magnificent champion race horse.

His trainer Greg Gilchrist is quoted as saying, "We accomplished what we wanted to do. It was all about giving him quality time. We did everything we could for him. He was happy and content right up to the end. He went quietly and easily."

Last month, veterinarian Don Smith diagnosed Lost in the Fog with spleen cancer and cancerous tumors in his abdomen. Last year, Lost in the Fog made seven cross-country trips and won eight stakes, including the King's Bishop. Lost in the Fog won 10 races in a row to begin his career and 11 of 14 starts while earning almost one-million dollars.

At the time of Lost in the Fog's cancer diagnosis, Gilchrist stated "What a warrior -- I've never had a horse that comes close to this one."

When Lost in the Fog passed on, Gilchrist said, "It was very emotional. I probably won't ever get over it. I always said when it got too bad, Lost in the Fog would let me know. I think he did yesterday. If he was a person, he would have said, 'It's time.' That's life and we have to deal with it. People come and go. I'll just see him on the other side."

Yesterday it was announced that Lost in the Fog -- 2005 Eclipse Award winner as sprinter of the year -- will be put down in the next ten days because of spleen cancer that has spread to his abdomen.

"Unfortunately, we found two other tumors in his abdomen,'' said veterinarian, Don Smith. "There is one in his membrane and ligament, about the size of an egg. Unfortunately there is another along his back and its about the size of a football.''

An almost million dollar winner in his short career, the pain will determine when they decide to end the life of this majestic and powerful champion. They are planning on taking Lost in the Fog back to Golden Gate Fields so that he can rest comfortably in his own stall.

"We'll keep him in the stall for a week or 10 days," trainer Greg Gilchrist said. "This would be the best thing to do, get him back with his groom. I just couldn't leave him up there (at Davis) to be euthanized and thrown in the bone yard." Lost in the Fog's remains will be cremated and sent back to Southern Chase Farm in Ocala, Florida where he was raised.

Last year, Lost in the Fog made seven cross-country trips and won eight stakes, including the King's Bishop. Lost in the Fog won 10 races in a row to begin his career and 11 of 14 starts while earning $978,099.

"What a warrior -- I've never had a horse that comes close to this one," stated Gilchrist.

The aftermath of devastation and unimaginable horror when Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans is still making headline news. The images and reporting coming out of New Orleans in the first days after the hurricane disaster by mainstream and citizen media were disturbing. The government, state and local authorities failing to provide safety for the people of New Orleans are more than one. But the purpose of this post is not about political failings but medical ethics and the possibility that a doctor and two nurses committed the most unthinkable act of choosing to euthanize patients as they waited to be rescued from the flooding after the storm hit.

Memorial Medical Center had been cut off by flooding after the hurricane. Power was out in the 317-bed hospital and the temperatures inside rose over 100 degrees. As it is told, the medical staff did the best they could under extreme circumstances to care for patients as they waited day after day -- four days total -- to be evacuated from the flooded conditions. As they waited, patients died.

Stories started to surface that some of the deaths were decided on by a small group of medical staff. An investigation that followed as to whether there was any truth to the rumors that patients in pain had been euthanized. One doctor and two nurses have now been arrested on charges of second-degree murder. The arrest warrants state the three intentionally killed four patients at Memorial Medical Center.

"We're not calling this euthanasia. We're not calling this mercy killings. This is second-degree murder," said Kris Wartelle, a spokeswoman for Attorney General Charles C. Foti.

Arrests are not convictions, and it is my belief that we should hold judgment. I cannot help but be saddened that human beings were put into such dire straits as the people of New Orleans were during the flooding after the hurricane, or that stories like this could even be true. It appears the Attorney General's office feels they have enough evidence to prove the truth to what were once rumors -- and if proven true in a court of law -- there is no justifiable reason to do what these three are accused of doing. Doctors and nurses have to be trusted to do everything humanly possible to save lives. What are your thoughts about this story?