Chaplin’s procedure went well this afternoon, so there’s a good possibility he won’t need any more surgery! And even if he does, it’s surgery that sounds a lot less severe and complication-ridden than the worst case scenario that they were discussing.

I can’t even describe what a weight this is off my mind, and how it lets me leave for Connecticut in relative confidence that he’ll do okay just hanging with the people at the animal hospital for a little while, so I can go focus on my aunt and the rest of my mom’s family.

I was being superstitious and not packing until I heard one way or another, so I’m afraid I have to cut this short and, you know, pack and otherwise prepare my house for the fact that I won’t be here for a bit.

Thanks so much to all of you who’ve been keeping my little guy in your thoughts, I really appreciate it.

I hope all of you have a very Merry Christmas and Happy Channukah, especially those of you who have also been going through a really, really trying time. I know I’m not the only one.

In case any of you were wondering, I am not the Ellen Shapiro mentioned in this story.

Hint #1 is that the story mentions she was married in 1968, whereas I was born in 1981. Also, I am not married. Also, I cannot legally get married (thanks, Prop 8!).

Hint #2 is that my father was a communications lawyer, not the owner of a Boston department store whose family foundation has recently been defrauded of over $450 million.

But it is ever so fun to know that our shared name is now going to get dragged through the mud thanks to Bernie Madoff and his Gigantic Fucking Ponzi Scheme That Apparently Defrauded Every Jew In The Country. Fun!