Determined December

[treegirl]

X-post, Lav! Just about 3 inches of snow here - very pretty.

Dill - forgot to say Thanks for the sweet hug.

Take care, all!

[papmom3]

Hi Everyone-finally have a minute to check in. As lav told you, its been a rough week for me and the dogs. My sweet Mickey had to be taken to Tufts (the big vet school in the area) early Friday morning for extreme pain in his tummy/back area. I had to leave him there for the day and overnight and go into work late on a day my boss was out. Not pretty. We were able to rule out tick disease, tumor and pancreatitis. final dx seems to be disc related. Not sure how this has happened as he is such a couch potato!! He seemed much better on Sunday but then Monday morning started shaking and panting again and crying whenever I touched him. I took him to my vet Monday nite after work and she did a thorough exam but no xray due to his state. She feels it is disc related too and added a muscle relaxer to the 2 other meds Tufts prescribed. I have not see a significant improvement and feel that he is over sedated. he can walk and does lift his leg a bit to pee but he will yelp if I even bring my hands near him. He won't come out of his crate so I have to pop the top and lift him out which causes him great pain. He is eating and taking his meds and pooping and peeing. I'm just praying he gives me a sign that the pain is somewhat decreasing. there is definitely an MRI in our future-probably next week. I had to take out a line of credit (amazingly I was approved for 4K!!) and the tufts bill came to almost 1400. the MRI will be another 500-600. I also had to pay off the last of my promissary note to my vet plus his visit on Monday. Not much left over for christmas. I have 2 gifts so far and nothing left on my other 2 credit cards. The tires are going to have to wait. I decided not to talk to my family about using the washer money for the tires. Just hoping the weather will behave itself until January when I can pay off half the vet bill and get the tires (extra pay check).

Now for the good news: 1. My friend had her surgery and is doing very well. She didn't go into any detail as to what exactly they did or what the next steps are but I'm sure she will when she is ready. 2. LM is doing fantastic!! his new diet and the fluids are really agreeing with him! 3. the heating bill was a mistake thank god! 4. No news on the fraudulent charge but the overdraft fee has been assessed and I am moving past it. 4. I think I got the job!!!!! I went for my 2nd interview this morning and she was quite clear that I am their first choice and they want me! They are concerned they won't be able to afford me (ha ha-they have no idea how cheap I am!!) but when she asked what my salary is right now, she didn't blink when I told her. References are being checked today and tomorrow-all my people have been notified to expect the call- and I think they will make the offer next week. If they come in at what I'm making now it will be like a 3K raise since I won't have to worry about commuting costs and the wear and tear on my car will be so much less. We're looking at a Jan 12 or 20th start date. I'm so excited!! This is a dream i've been pursuing for over a decade (even more) and was so disappointed when I had to turn down the other opportunity 3 years ago. Unless they come in so low its ridiculous I won't pass this one up. these days quality of life and less stress is more important than money and I will figure out a way to deal with it.

I think that's it for the updates. Please send your prayers mickey's way that he starts to feel better soon. I've caught up on what is happening with everyone and send my best and warmest thoughts out to you all as we get through this hectic and stressful time of year. Thank you all for your continued support and love that you send out constantly. I may not post every day but you are constantly on my mind. :heartbeat::hug:

[dill]

Papmom that is awesome news about how well the 2nd interview went! I'm so happy for you! Maybe you'll get a substantially higher salary than your current one. That would sure help with the vet bills.

Star, I hope you fight off the bug. Take care of yourself and like Lav said, drink lots of fluids!

Cyn, I do appreciate you giving a new perspective on the dark being nutritive. I can see it that way and it will help me deal with it better. I do like to enjoy candle light and winter nights give us plenty of time to do just that! Another beautiful sunset tonight. My grand daughter saw a lovely ribbon of a pink cloud in the sky and thought it was a rainbow. She wanted to go up there and slide down it! It was so precious. You know at 3 she probably thinks that is truly possible...

Lav, you will be very busy for the next three days! Overnight two nites in a row? Honestly, that would do me in! LOL! I have my gd tonight but she is going home tomorrow at noon.

Have any of you ever had sweet potato pie? I am going to make one tomorrow. My farmer friend brought us over so many sweet potatoes at the end of gardening season that I have to be creative!

[SnoopyC]

Good morning...

I am even sicker, think I have to call in today and get to an urgent care. Darn.

Pap, the job front sounds encouraging, hope you DO get the offer next week. Sorry about your sick dog.

Lav, I would love to baby sit longer, but two nights? I'll have to think about that.

Dill, have fun with your granddaughter.

Cyn, I love the change of seasons, the dark brings with it slowing down, quiet activities, warm stew and soups, lighting with candles and Christmas lights. I like the 40s and rain better than snow, but that is just me. Snow is beautiful, so enjoy.

Have a great day.

[treegirl]

Morning all -

Star - oh no! Darn! Do whatever you need to do to get yourself healthy - maybe complete resting is in order for the weekend?

Pap - so sorry about Mickey - I know what a stress it is when your pet is in so much pain - hard to bear! Good luck, and I hope you see some improvement soon. Congrats on all the movement on the job front - keeping fingers x'd.

Lav - I'm sure you are racing around trying to get everything done before the kids descend for the weekend. I'll say it again - lucky parents!!! Hope you are doing a good bit of self-care mixed in.

Dill - so glad that the 'nutritive dark' makes sense to you. I'm happy embracing it for now - less stress than complaining! Good luck with GD, and the sweet potato pie; can't wait to hear how that turns out.

Wishing everyone good, deep full breaths throughout the day --

[papmom3]

Star-sending healing thoughts your way. Lots of soup, juice, water, tea for sure!! Please let us know how you are doing and what urgent care has to say.

Lav-its a GK invasion LOL!! Hoping the weather will behave for you so you can at least get them outside a bit! I just know they love coming to your house-so much to do and see and there's nothing like a a grandma's love!!

Dill and Tree-intuitive dark. Hmm. Have to think about that one. These days I get up in the dark, drive to work in the dark, drive home in the dark. On a morning like this (taking another day off), I am always surprised to open the door and see daylight!! I will need to make a concerted effort over the holidays to get outside even if just for a 30 minute walk with DD around the neighborhood.

Some cautious good news this morning-Mickey walked out of his crate under his own power and with no prodding or gentle guiding!! Barely got got the top off and he was out! Still shaking like a leaf and he had a very restless nite but maybe that corner finally has been turned!! I'm still going to call tufts and find out how soon I can get him in for an MRI. I've got to know what I'm dealing with, then I can make decisions about his treatment. this blind administration of drugs just doesn't sit right with me.
I started a GoFund campaign for him but I'm embarrassed to post it on FB which is where the majority of donations come from so this was probably an effort in futility. But, you never know. Maybe there is an angel out there who is just looking for ways to put their money to good use and is touched by Mickey's story and pictures. I can always dream LOL!!

[Lavande]

Good morning friends & happy Friday!

Tis the calm before the storm, LOL

Star, hope you get some help today & get some rest too!

Cyn, I'm picturing you in snow shoes
Have fun with that but don't overdue!

Dill, I have never made or eaten sweet potato pie. I think I'll look for a lighter, more modern version - good idea. Good luck with your pie!

Papmom, I know you are concerned about Mickey & I'm sorry he's been hurting. I wouldn't rush into spending for an MRI - that's big bucks. Having worked for Blue Cross many years ago I learned that an MRI should be reserved for those considering surgical interventions. Often a CT scan will show what's going on & is cost effective.
I had my first ever MRI on my foot this past summer because I was told there was a mass in my foot. Luckily the mass was bone marrow leaking & not an actual growth which would have had to be removed. Lucky I had the insurance coverage because the cost came in at just under $10K! Pain relief & some gentle physical therapy can do a lot. Can you put him in a warm tub to help relax his tense muscles?
Now that you have a LOC opened - why not use that cash for your much needed tires? Facing a New England winter on bad tires is not safe. We all want to see you safe :hug:
Great news about the job interview!!

I have to run & will check in when I can. Have a great AF day everyone!

Lav

[papmom3]

thanks for all the great suggestions Lav!! I actually have an appointment with the internist who saw him last Saturday after the ER turn him over to her. Its at noon time and I can't believe my luck in getting it and on a day I decided spur of the moment to call in sick (again-bad papmom!). I will definitely talk to her about MRI vs CTI vs digital xray vs no imaging as well as what the prognosis and tx protocols are with and without a difinitive dx. Coming from a sportsmedicine background MRIs were my savior-I knew exactly what I was dealing with (or not dealing with) and what my limitations were as a health care practitioner. Hence my desire to get one for Mickey but I promise I will look at all options.
The vision of getting Mickey into a warm bath makes me chuckle. He is so water phobic that it is a chore even at the groomers. I'd hate to try to do that on my own in a home tub that isn't raised or has a ramp. But I'm wondering if the vet will OK a moist heat pack. That I could do!
The LOC I opened apparently is only good for either my medical care or my pets. I don't think it can be used for non health care expenses but I will look into it more thoroughly. Its 14% intro rate which isn't as high as one of my cards but it is still high. The less I put on it the better. I'm hoping that between the extra paycheck in January and my paltry tax return I will only have a few additional months of budget pain to pay it off completely.
I need to believe that this will all work out-financially, job wise and for Mickey.
Enjoy your wild and crazy weekend!! Weekend at Lav's-coming soon to a theater near you!!

[dill]

The day got away from me so this is just a quick hello post. My gd stayed longer than I expected. I was absolutely worn out by the time she left. I never did make that pie! LOL, but played a lot of games and had fun getting firewood with her and her Pop Pop!

I'll try to do better here tomorrow, but for now, AF greetings to all and a peaceful goodnight.

[dill]

Lav, did you find a lighter version of the sweet potato pie? Essentially my recipe is identical to pumpkin pie but substitutes mashed sweet potatoes for the pumpkin. I think lots of people can't even tell the difference. You are still in the midst of your two night obligation. I'm sending energy your way!

Papmom, it is "nutritive", not "intuitive" dark. LOL! But I guess it isn't so nutritive if you are having to drive in it! Still, your weekends should be calmer and you can use the nutritive concept on weekend nights maybe. This sounds like kind of a stressful time for you tho, dark or no dark, what with worrying about LM. I hope he continues to improve.

Cyn, If it is cold outside I too prefer a snowscape to a rainscape! I'm with you there. I don't mind any temps until it goes below 20. Then I start to get unhappy. I really don't like the wind tho. And in the winter, I don't even like gentle winds. Give me a breeze in the spring and summer anytime, but not wind!

Star, I sure hope you are doing ok.

No special plans for today, other than grocery shopping and pie baking. Have a great AF Saturday one and all!

[SnoopyC]

Good morning...

Another horrendous interaction with medical professionals. The first nurse told me I just have a virus, need to tough it out. I told her about all my symptoms and the idiot finally wrote me a prescription for antibiotics. Later in the day I went to another clinic and was diagnosed with an ear infection, it is really painful. So, spent 2x the money. I hate being sick, there are few practitioners who actually listen to you. So, I am sicker than heck. I was able to sleep, so hopefully will be on the mend.

Pap, your poor doggies. You really love them.

Lav, enjoy your day. Wild but fun.

Dill, peaceful weekend.

Cyn, hello.

[dill]

Star, I wanted to tell you, I am thoroughly enjoying your book recommendation, Does This Church Make Me Look Fat? :thumbsup: I stopped reading The Red Tent not too long into it. I decided it just didn't really interest me so much as a read but it seemed like it would be a good film. BTW, I haven't seen the film yet! It's still on the DVR. Did you watch both episodes? What did you think?

Cyn, I never realized that Richard Burton was Welsh. Did you know that? Here's another Burton interview about his alcoholism. I liked his answer when the interviewer asked him if he regretted his period of hard drinking and he said, in part: "No, I don't regret it. I think it was necessary for me to become what I am now..." He said he couldn't change the past so he chose not to regret it. It was part of who he became. I like that.

Here's the full interview. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFC_xPOkhXY

Lav, if you happen to look at the interview I'm sure you'll be amused to see him smoking a cigarette throughout. Times have changed since 1977!

Papmom, greetings again. I guess I'm making up for my brief post yesterday by posting twice today!

[Lavande]

Greetings friends!

Waiting for this long, long day to end. One kid is in bed since 8 pm, still waiting for him to actually go to sleep 45 minutes later so I can slip the other one in - tiresome.
It was a good day though & we did take the kids to see our 80+ year old former neighbors. They were very excited to see the kids & had donuts ready for them, ha ha! Their Thomas train setup was a huge hit

Dill, I did see that the Cooking Light website has a number of sweet potato pies recipes if you want to check them out.
Would you believe back in the early 70's people were allowed to smoke at the nurses stations in the hospitals? How crazy would that look today? Things sure have changed for the better

Star, sorry you had to make two trips for medical care - seems to be standard procedure even with the pediatricians. They ignored my grandson's symptoms until we took him into the ER - remember? Hope you feel better very soon!

Papmom, hope you & Mickey are having a better day

Cyn, did you get those X country skis out??

Have a good night one & al!

[papmom3]

Aftenoon Abbers. I think its a gorgeous day out but haven't been out long enough to enjoy it. I cleaned the kitchen and bedrooms, did dishes and now am cooking up rice for LM.
The appointment on Friday with Mickey was not good news. He has gotten worse and is now showing neuro deficit in his left rear leg. After a lengthy discussion, I did decide on the MRI so that I know once and for all if we're dealing with a compressed disc. If we are, they will want to do surgery immediately as he will already be under anethesia. The prognosis is good since he is still mobile with no paralysis or loss of deep pain sensation. he is very tender in his back and neck area-that hasn't gotten better despite 24/7 crate rest and heavy meds. I've set up a fundraiser and have been overwhelmed with the response. The papillon community is coming together for us both and I can't believe the response. I have the funds for the MRI at the least. The credit card company increased my limit to cover all the costs of the surgery if it comes to that. If I can't raise the rest of it and he does need surgery, I will deal with that later. I still have some ace in the holes: an extra paycheck in Jan and July and my tax return. A friend is donating her finished sewing projects so I can sell them on etsy or ebay-whatever I choose. I'm going to talk to my family about the stuff up in my attic and see if they will agree to help me get it appraised and sell it (its all family stuff). Of course the best news of all would be that the MRI is inconclusive about disc compression or anything else that might require surgery. The one thing that hasn't been tried is prednisone and I'm not sure why. I will ask that when they call me tomorrow with the MRI results. At least he seems comfortable in the crate when he is resting. Its when he gets up that the shaking begins again and I can't touch him.
I understand that a lot of people cannot understand why I am going through all this. Why not just put the dog down, put him out of his misery and not take out this enormous debt? It is a very personal decision and one that hasn't been made lightly. He is my first dog, my heart dog and if I can make him feel better I am going to try. I have to have faith that it will all work out in the end. I have to have faith that I am being somehow tested. I hope I am passing. I'm staying AF, being creative with financing, and truly feeling grateful for the outpouring of support and encouragement I have received. It is humbling and I'm already trying to think of ways to pay it forward. I will most likely get involved in rescue again-can't foster but can do home visits or transport or help with fundraisers. I will also try to find a way to donate a small amount of money each month to papillon rescue (my donations have come almost 100% from pap people so far) once Mickey's bills have been paid off.
Star-I'm so sorry you are so sick and had to see two practiioners. I hope you are starting to feel better and that the meds are taking effect.
Lav-is your marathon GK weekend over with? how nice you were able to visit your former neighbors-they had to have been so tickled to see how big the kids have gotten!!
Dill-LOL on the misunderstanding!! Makes so much more sense now! what did you end up doing today?
Cyn-hope you are getting outside and enjoying the good weather in our neck of the woods. I have never xc skiied but always wanted to try it.
going to hit the shower now and get ready to go to my sis's for dinner. Have a great nite all!

[dill]

Papmom, that is simply awesome that you have had such an outpouring of support! We each must do what we feel is the right thing to do for our pets. You can't do anything less. I was surprised when you mentioned that LM was your first dog. Did you mean first ever in your whole life or did you mean first ever papillon? I have practically never been without a dog since my early twenties! And we had dogs in my growing up years as well: a dalmation and miniature poodle. Loved them both. Loved all my dogs of course.

Lav, did you survive? I had to smile when you talked about having one in bed and waiting for him to go to sleep so the other one can be tucked in. LOL! Been there, done that on grandma duty many a night!

Star, I hope you are better. I know how painful ear infections can be! It's one of the worst pains, really. I'm thinking of you and sending chicken soup wishes your way.

Cyn, Hello!

It's been cloudy here all day today and yesterday and I am struggling with a bad mood for the third day in a row. This two shall pass, I keep reminding myself.