It's been so long. Where do I start? How about if I start with some wonderful news.

Dr. Blaha took Mike off the Rimydal and put him on Previcox about a week ago. Starting the first day, he already seemed different. He's not having as many bladder spasms during the day, he seems to have more energy... and.. the biggest thing is... he's sleeping so much better at night!!!! It's gotten to the point where he no longer needs Benedryl to sleep!!! I'm so happy!!!! Actually, I realized, after a few days of the Previcox that maybe he didn't need the Benedryl. He had slowed down the panting at bedtime, so I stopped giving it to him. From the very first night without it, the panting almost stopped completely. He laid down, and I just petted him and talked to him for a few minutes until he put his head down... then he slept all night!!! (wish I had icons on here so I could show you how happy this make me). He's been sleeping great every night since then. I'm now wondering if maybe even the Benedryl was bothering him too. It was helping him to sleep, but he also panted hard until he finally konked out when he was taking it.

Last night I could tell that he wanted on the bed to sleep, but... like I've said before... he doesn't realize he could jump up, and when I lift him up there, it hurts him. Sooooooo.... I did something he wasn't expecting. I didn't give him time to realize what I was doing, and I picked him up and threw him on the bed before he had a chance to realize what I had done. He didn't have time to snap or growl because it hurt. It was so funny.. he had a look of shock on his face, but he immediately made himself comfortable... too comfortable... the little shit immediately went to the top of the bed and sat on one of the pillows (so now I won't use that one till I change the pillow case)... but then he tried laying on both of them... I was just really hoping he wouldn't fart cuz his butt was right next to my head and we were both facing the same way.. we both fell asleep watching tv. I don't know what time he jumped down.. I woke up at 4:00 and he was on the floor, but it felt so great to fall asleep petting him. I really can't tell you how great it felt to have him up there again. Plus.. usually he'll curl up toward the middle of the bed or down toward the bottom.. but he was right there where I could reach him... it was awesome.

Gidget is doing really well. She's still the puppy and making me laugh, but she's also learning that the rules of the house apply to her too. She's so in love with her big brother that no matter where he goes, she wants to be with him, but she's learning (slowly) that when he's sleeping in one spot, she can sleep someplace else instead of trying to lay next to him and getting in his space. As I type this, Mike is snoring next to me, and the young one is sleeping on the couch. Ohhhhh... blissful quiet. LOL

Of course, it wasn't this quiet earlier. I've got a guy over here painting, and even though he's been here for two days, and they were great with him being here (even when I was gone), they both barked like crazy for almost 45 minutes... I swore, I was ready to get the duct tape and tape both of their mouths shut.... too much noise for so early n the morning.

I'm so happy to be able to get this place painted.. especially since winter is coming, and the colors were really drab (and pretty depressing). The guy who's painting has done a lot of work for my brother, and Joe has referred him to a number of other people too. Because of this, he gave me an awesome price (actually cheaper than I could have done if I did it myself). He's only charging me $200 to do the entire house.... kitchen, living room, 2 bedrooms, hallway and all the ceilings. Plus.. he had paint he had left over that were actually close to the colors I had planned on getting, so all I had to buy was one gallon of paint. My gosh... if I did it myself (Michelle and Jay were going to help me... especially with the trim)... I would have had to buy all of the paint, tools, drop cloths and (of course) I would give them a few bucks for helping me. I figure I probably saved as much as I'm paying right now. He's doing the trim and the bathroom today, and then he'll be finished.

The dogs have been great for him. I went to work the first day he was here, and then to the doctors (explain in a minute) the next two days... so they were alone with him for quite a while. He said they were awesome. Gidge stayed in her room and just watched him whenever he was in her sight, and Mike just slept till I got home. I'm really proud of my babies.

As for me... well... I don't remember if I told you I had a 24 hour blood pressure monitor put on last week. What a pain in the butt it was, but the worst part was that when I went back to have it taken off... it hadn't registered like it was suppose to, and there were maybe only 9 or 10 real readings. Sooooooo I had to go back Monday to have it put on again and then Tuesday to have it taken off. I got use to the cuff pumping up every 15 minutes or so (even though sometimes it would pump up three or four times till my hand turned purple), but I really hated having to document every single thing I was doing and feeling every time it pumped (where I was, standing, sitting, etc, mood, activities, symptoms)... what a pain. But at least it's over now. I did see a heck of a lot of high numbers when she took it off of me and connected it to the computer. I've got a doctor's appointment this afternoon to see exactly how good/bad I did. I'll keep you informed.

I was going to go to work yesterday morning, but about 9:00 I got a call from Michelle (my daughter). She informed me that she had been having chest pains since the night before. Being a nurse, you'd think she'd listen to her body better right??? Nope!!! She said when she went to bed that night, if she crossed her arms and slept on her stomach, she was able to sleep. Yesterday morning though she woke up, and it was still there. Dummy kid went to work anyway, but then it got really bad, and she finally decided she'd better get checked. To make things even dummer... when she called me... she was DRIVING HERSELF to the hospital. My God, if I did that she'd freak out.

The did all kinds of tests and blood work on her and were going to keep her overnight, but later in the day (around 5:00) they let her go home, promising to see her doctor this morning. Her appointment is at 11:30, and it's almost that now. With everything they've done to her and all the blood work and the fact that the nitro didn't do anything to get rid of the pain, I honestly don't think it's her heart. I told her to ask the doctor if she could have a muscle being pulled from her spine maybe that is a little out of allignment. That happened to me a few years ago... I was lifting a window, and all of a sudden my chest hurt... never felt anything in my back... after going to the hospital and finding nothing wrong, I went to the chiropractor I was working for, and after one adjustment, the pain was gone. I'm praying that's all this is for her.

Hey Amy... It's so good to hear from you again. I've missed you. How is everything going? I know what you mean about things slowing down (sometime maybe). It's funny... for the longest time, I had nothing much to do, but all of a sudden (the last few months) it seems I don't have time for anything. Keep in touch... hugs and nose kisses

Hey Cindy... YEAH, YEAH... I know.. I "am" doing it right now... (I think). Once they get the blood pressure under control I'll be fine. On the other hand.... YOU should have gone to the hospital when the doctor wanted you to go in too... you have people around to help with the kids, so there was really no reason for you not to go. I guess we're both a little stubborn huh? LOL
I'm sooooooooooo happy the kids are doing so well. I checked their thread today (but didn't post) and I think they're at 19 and 34 days??? HOOOORRRAYYYYYY!!!!! Keep up the great work boys!!! hugs and belly rubs

Ok... gonna get going. It's taken me a long time to write all this, and I really should get something done around here. The place has to be put back together in the rooms that are finished... just looking at all of it makes me tired. I hope everyone has a wonderful day and a great weekend. Thanks for checking in on us. You all mean so much to us. We love you all.

Love and Blessings


Amy said...

Hi Jo,
I know, long time no see...but I am really glad that you all are doing well. Hopefully once things work-wise slow down a little for me I will keep in touch more.
Hugs,
Amy

November 11, 2008 10:43 PM

Cindy said...

Geesh Jo, I sure hope u are doing EVERYTHING the doc says.
The last time (a few months ago) when the doc wanted to stick me in the hospital-I refused. But, I have the G/J tube so can stay hydrated and have lots of meds here. I even have the folks I live with to look after the boys--but God, Jo, they are so complicated and need so many meds at certain times, and of course the seizures.
So, I honestly understand ur fear of being hospitalized. But u have a back-up plan now which is great. The kids need u, so u must be the priority this time.
Keep us posted.

The boys are at 13 days and 29 days--the f-word (full moon) starts at MN--hope it doesn't affect the boys!

We all send hugs!

November 13, 2008 11:04 PM

Well... the beautiful Fall weather is gone. The chill factor right now is 19 degrees. I guess I'd better get use to it... it's not going to get any better until Spring.

There hasn't been a lot new around here. Thank God, Mike is still doing well. His only real problems are still at night. It's gotten to the point where he has to get a whole Benedryl to help him sleep lately instead of a half of one. I still can't figure it out. He's fine until we go to bed. I was thinking maybe it's something in the bedroom that makes him pant like he does, but that wouldn't account for his being in pain.

Gidget is learning that it's ok to chill out now (makes my life a lot easier), but she's still dragging my underwear and socks through the house. Last night she had 7 socks sitting next to my chair, 3 on the couch, two pair of underwear on the floor and ... (this was funny)... she brought one pair into her room. When she's finished dragging everything out, I put them back in the cart.. it keeps her busy for hours. She goes through withdrawl when I do the laundry, and the basket is empty though.

As far as me... well... still blood pressure problems. I had a doctor's appointment on Friday, and when I went in.. I felt great... no symptoms that it was high at all, but when the nurse took my pressure, it was 190 over 102. Oh man... what a pain. She did an EKG, and the doctor had her do an ICG on me... but (of course) the ICG unit wasn't working. He's going to have me wear a 24 hour blood pressure monitor... going to get it on tomorrow. Also, he'll be doing an Echo.

I'm not really worried about my health.. I mean, I'll do whatever I have to do to get this taken care of, but after I left his office, the biggest concern I thought of was the dogs. I've been in the hospital so much in the past, but there's always been someone to take care of Mike when I was in there. When Charlie was alive, of course, he was there, but even after he was gone, Michelle always took Mike (she really loves him and he loves her). But... now that I have two dogs, and Michelle has Scrappy... I had to figure out what to do if I ended up in the hospital (which.. the doctor said I should have been with my last episode).

My hospital track record is horrible. I can't tell you how many times I've been in the hospital in the last twenty years.. or even in the last five years. There have been times I was in three or four times in one year.... so I decided I'd better make arrangements for these guys just in case. I talked to Karol (from church) who is going to stay with them while I'm in Missouri, and she agreed to be my on-call puppy sitter. If she has another job, and I have to go in, she said Diane will take care of them for me. I'm so relieved and at least feel the peace of knowing they'll be all right.

On October 27th, I celebrated ONE WHOLE YEAR without going to the hospital... not even the emergency room.... that was a goal I was really striving for. Now I'm going for two years. Oh well... I'm not going to worry about it, and I don't want any of you to worry about it either. I'm just telling you about it so you know what's going on around here. Trust me.. I'm doing what I'm suppose to... it's just part of getting old. LOL

I'm hoping it warms up a little bit today. I'm going to work for Dr. Blaha this afternoon, and you all know how much I love this cold weather (NOT).

Hi Alex...
Yep.. I definitely remember how hard last winter was too. It was horrible. At least this year I have the car and will be able to get out. I hate cold weather, but at least I won't be snowbound this year without transportation. How awesome it is that you'll be having such beautiful weather and scenery all winter long. I know you're going to love it there this winter.

You're right.. it's awesome having two dogs... especially when you see how much they love each other (well.. except when the young one wants more lovin' than Mike wants to give... she just wants to be with him all the time... pesky little sister. LOL )

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend and that you all have a very blessed week.

Love & Blessings

Alexandra said...

Your post about how happy Gidget is to see Mikey when he gets up brought such a smile to my face. You describe it so well I can see everything taking place in my mind. Mikey reminds me a bit of Shakespeare when he gets grumpy and other dogs at the dog park come up to him. Mikey sounds a bit like that when he just wakes up and is assaulted by his little sister.

I can't believe it's fall already. I'm remembering how long and drawn out the winters were for you and it feels like it was just yesterday that you were waiting and waiting for the snow to melt so you guys could go outside. Now winter is just around the corner again, huh?

Today when I drove to the dogpark I saw this beautiful yellow-flowerd tree (not dogwood. It was much fuller than that) and then next to it a taller and thicker one with pink flowers and I was thanking God that I get to live someplace where it feels like it's spring all the time. It has gotten cooler, though. I have to wear a jacket and long pants in the early morning and evening. And I don't think I will go swimming anymore. But for the most part the temperature is probably in the mid 70s most everyday. Sometimes it can be 80 in the afternoon. I sure won't miss the long drawn-out winters with their cold dark nights. I think I only really liked winter and snow when I was a kid and there was a chance of no school. AFter that, it's pretty the first snow but then it starts getting to me.

Well, I'm glad to see Mikey is still hanging in there and that they both are bringing you so much joy. Having two dogs is the best, isn't it?

Love,
Alex, Shakespeare, and Maleah

November 9, 2008 5:43 PM