some puzzlements
pup has 6 more days of antibiotics, out of 21. yikes, but that's a lot of pills. her symptoms have lifted, although she had her first incontinence yesterday in a good 3 months. she was also run down - gave her a little pred, and she's better today.
my heart freezes every time she has any symptom. my imagination goes skyrocketing into the nightmare of ICU and tubes and resistant bacteria and stones, and i know my worry vibes go straight into her so that i can't tell what is her reacting to me, and what is her just feeling crappy. i must learn to ease up on the worry thing. right. easy.
still hot, but not blistering like it was a few weeks ago. she's going through ice like crazy - keeps her hydrated nicely, plus flushes out her system of more beasties. we're relaxing in the air conditioning today.
i found a treasure in my own backyard this weekend! minnesota has a ga-jillion parks all over the place, and one is only 6 miles from my house! i explored saturday morning, 7am, and hiked a great 3.7 mile trail through prairie and woods, around a lake. that's my kind of gym! lots of other trails, too, and beautifully kept. there are horse trails and bike trails, and all of them ski trails in the winter, so i'm definitely getting those cross country skis i've been wanting! i'll keep checking craigslist for equipment.
the best way for me to get myself back is a quiet hike in the woods. i'd take pup along, but the deer ticks are probably everywhere out there, and lyme would be dangerous for her. maybe in the winter, on the regular hiking trails, but i think i want this mostly for my own.
sometimes i have to convince myself it's ok to be a little selfish so i can take care of other people better. i wonder why i feel so guilty about doing something i love so much? gotta get over that!
working on getting photos on here. my system at home is too tiny, so i may use m's or maybe mine at work after hours, if they say ok. working at a big company has it's advantages, as long as you got approvals...
xxoo.
posted by mo2mngirl @ 2:01 PM
5 Comments:
HI!!!
I was so happy to see y our post at my blog.. you and maia have been on my mind..
you said "my heart freezes every time she has any symptom. my imagination goes skyrocketing into the nightmare of ICU and tubes and resistant bacteria and stones, and i know my worry vibes go straight into her so that i can't tell what is her reacting to me, and what is her just feeling crappy. i must learn to ease up on the worry thing. right. easy."
I could have written those words myself! Do you give preds every day? how much? I just took Duncan down to 1.25... and of course I am driving myself crazy trying to figure out if its enough.. I give it daily..
the Addisons group sugests giving melatonin instead of more preds during storms and fireworks etc.. I will try that.. so much better than extra pred i think?
I am so confused by all of this.. and feel incapable :(
I am so happy that you found your own little sanctuary.. and by all menas feel no guilt! we each deserve our own times of peace and gentle thoughts to nurture our spirits and keep us going.. and I agree that is so much better than a gym!
Growing up I spent a huge amount of time with my grandmother, on her farm.. we slept outdoors as easily as in.. on a blanket by a fire under an apple tree.. what a blessing she was.. what a blessing that life was to me.. out under the sky, the clouds the stars the trees .. feeling the rain .. the breeze the scent of the leaves.. hearing them crackle underfoot in the autumn..
that is real.. that is good!
I agree that you should watch out for deer ticks.. that is just another terrifying aspect of this Addisons thing..
I look forward to seeing photos.. hope you get it sorted soon..
one you get them to a computer... if you can just keep them there long enough to upload them.. flicker is a great option.. they can be private or public and there are some great folks there.. its a photoblog site.
take care and thanks for visiting.. I was happy to see the update..
hugs
kath
hi kath - i do love seeing that you've visited - it makes me feel as though my journey of the past year might do some good!
maia gets pred only in anticipation of stress - good or bad stress. a vet visit, a play date, a long day outside - all of these get maybe 2.5 mg, just once (she's 110 pounds, so duncan would probably need less). after the initial diagnosis, they have to be gradually stepped off of the pred - too quickly and they can crash.
once you get the go ahead from your vet that duncan can go off daily pred (that will be determined more by your observation of his symptoms than bloodwork), keep watching for droopiness. i was more reactive the first year as i learned what stressed out maia, giving her pred after paydates and vet visits. now i know what requires pred, and i gove her a little dose before those things.
it is scary,isn't it, being so completely responsible for the health of a creature who can't tell you "i feel crappy today". it's like nursing a baby - just keep watching duncan, and learn his signals. dogs are naturally strong and hide weakness and sickness really well. a droopy expression, being a little clingy, not finishing her meals - these are all things maia does that tell me she feels a little off.
we're all incapable when we begin a journey. just keep researching, checking out every site available, keep asking questions, fill your brain, and soon you'll know more than your vet! you know your dog better than anyone, so you are the most important part of duncan's health and recovery. i for one have every confidence in you!
xxoo
i forgot to tell you that it took a good 5 months to walk maia down off of daily pred, staring from 20mgs a day, to 10, 7.5, 5 for a long time, 2.5, 1.25, 1.25 3xs a week, then finally only as needed.
i would take her down to the next level when my vet said to. she'd be fine for a day or two, then gradually get over-pred symptoms again. she would pant crazily, and bark at everything, have a ravenous appetite, and not be able to settle down for sleeping when she had too much.
be patient. duncan will show you what he needs.
I am so grateful to you for walking this path with us!
I took Dunkers down to 1.25 on saturday.. and got the vets blessing today.. ( the dx vet ) I am actually going to also take his DOCP down a tad next time.. also with her blessing.. and we will see how that goes..
One thing that sort of makes me nervous... I have had Duncan for only a few months.. he came home in December of '04. He always trembled and was easily stressed... I keep thinking that I don't really know what a "well" Duncan acts like, or how he behaves .. so I feel a little in the dark.. I am just watching out for droopy and being off his food.. and hoping for good apatite and bouncy.. Ihope that will do it!
Feel free to come to me to vent about your doggy ( or any other ) stress
you know where to find me :) I will keep a lookout for yo here...
take care and keep giving yourself the gift of time!
k
still giving 1.25... seems okay for now.. but he is not eating his morning food.. he eats his later food..
in the mornings he gets mostly kibble.. evenings... mostly meat. have to try to add more meat in the mornings and see if that is it?
hmmm
anyway.. just wanted to say hello!
:)
sending good energy your way .. for both of you!
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