Monday, October 3, 2011

What I did on my Summer Vacation......from Blogging..........

I've been MIA for quite a while now and would like to issue a HUGE THANKS to the many sweet friends who have written and called to check on me!

As a way of explanation:


What I did on my Summer Vacation......from Blogging.........















My dear mother has had one of her cataracts removed this past month - such a breeze compared to the months of worrying about it prior to the actual surgery. One eye down, one to go. It must be awesome to be the opthamologist that with plenty of our dear Lord's help, gets to restore much needed vision for his patients. Only bump in the road was a slightly red, heated rash on her face, which prompted us to visit the local E-Care Clinic right before 10 o'clock, one evening. Diagnosis: Facial cellulitis. So more trips to Walgreen's for medicine. I'd never heard of this before and her dr. said it is unrelated to the surgery ~ has anyone else ever heard of this?


The Vet Techs dressed Sissy up in a PINK bandage to match her collar!



My precious baby, Sissy, has been very very ill for months, culminating in more visits to our local vet and TONS of different medicines than I care to even think of.  She has had the symptoms of a rotten cold, complete with runny, snotty nose, congestion, and cough/wheezing, "reverse" sneezing where she can't get a breath (very frightening for her AND for me), At least four different very strong antibiotics and steroids have not helped.  It affects her ability to even eat or sleep or get around. Plus she has an enlarged heart and arthritis.  Vet finally referred her to a specialist in a nearby town, so we've made numerous trips there, and had many tests and procedures done, such as rhinoscopy, flushing out of the lungs, x-rays, and bloodwork. Never a real diagnosis, several thousands spent on tests, dr. appts., and medications. But oh, how I'd spend even more if we could just get her well. She is 12 1/2 yrs. old and wants nothing to do with anyone except me. It has been very hard to leave her pretty much dependent on hubby to feed and medicate her for me while I've been spending some time with Mother. But I must say that he has really seemed to bond a bit with her and can now administer her meds, even the syringe ones, with great care. Sad that it has taken almost to the end of her life for the two of them to bond a bit. We had a horrid scare as we realized we'd been overdosing her on one of her meds for 2 1/2 days, so a midnight call the Vet ER Clinic was made, but nothing more than general "loopiness" ocurred so we were very fortunate.


Sissy was eventually prescribed a "people" med called Little Noses to help, and it had the reverse effect ~ after several weeks of morning and night nose drops, she couldn't eat and she broke out in severe bloody lesions that are just now beginning to heal with the use of more steriods. I would NEVER NEVER advise you give this med to your pet (Or your child) after seeing what it did to Sissy.

Now that I'm back home full-time, she and I are both making up for lost time. Her favorite place to cuddle with me is in bed, so you can often find us taking a few quick (and some NOT so quick) naps there most days.

And I have managed to do a bit of this........





So, to recap..........

Basically,

I've loved the grandbabies, church, taking care of Mother, Heritage Eye Clinic, Heart Dr., ER Urgent Care, Vet's, Specialty Vet, medicine, medicine, medicine..............

I'm really looking forward to a bit more normalcy and hope to start posting and visiting more often!

Big Hugs,
Stephanie

17 comments:

Honey at 2805 said...

I sounds as if you have been busy. It must have been nice to take the summer off. I have missed you and emailed you a couple to times!

Glad to have you back!

Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble Christmas said...

Stephanie,
I was wondering where you were.
I am so sorry to hear of all the things thst you went through over the summer.
I hope that everything settles down a bit and life can return to normal but then I often wonder just what exactly is that?
Good to hear from you and I hope to see more of you!!

Hugs,
Debbie

Debbie-Dabble Blog and A Debbie-Dabble Christmas said...

Stephanie,
I was wondering where you were.
I am so sorry to hear of all the things thst you went through over the summer.
I hope that everything settles down a bit and life can return to normal but then I often wonder just what exactly is that?
Good to hear from you and I hope to see more of you!!

Hugs,
Debbie

Connie said...

I am so sad to hear about your beloved Sissy and hope she gets better and is around many more years for you, sugar.

Now, Mum. You didn't let me know that she finally got the cataracts fixed!!!! I'm so happy this was done as it was much needed. Our worst fears rarely come true. I hope she's resting comfortably and KNOW that you're taking good care of her.

Kenny is now one of her BFF probably - Cissy, not Mum. ;-)

You give Mum extra hugs and kisses from me and be sure and tell her I think of her often.

xoxo,
Connie

Gina said...

I wondered where you were! I guess you had one heck of a summer but I'm glad that all is well now. Welcome back!

Unknown said...

Yippy Skippy! You are BACK! Boy, have you been missed. Glad Mother's eyes are going to be fine (I go in this month for both of my eyes, too).

Hope poochie will be fine, she is so chic in pink!

And, lovin' on those wee ones! Too precious. We had a new little Miss M last week, take a peek.

Well, now that things are settling down for you, & you are back ...hopefully you will be able to relax & play for a little while.

Have a great week ~
TTFN ~
Hugs & love,
Marydon

Victoria said...

Oh Stephanie! I'm soooo glad you're back! I was wondering about you and am so glad you're back to blogging:)

Poor pup, what a horrible thing for you all to go through. It sounds like your mom had a rough patch too...I have heard of cellulitis, I believe it's basically a skin inflammation.

Your grandkids are so darling! Welcome back my friend:)

Paula ~ castleandcottagesigns said...

Hi Stephanie! Sounds like alot going on...glad your mom's going to be okay and Sissy too. Your grandkids are just darling, I don't blame you for wanting to spend all the time in the world with them!
hugs,
paula:)

The Urban Chic said...

Steohanie, you have been busy this summer. I also took a break from blogging. Since my heart attack, I have been weak and a little depressed and now I have diabetes which didn't come as a surprise. I always thought that it was a heavy person's disease, but I was wrong. It's from my dad's side of the family and he was about my age when he was diagnosed. Anywho, I have been doing okay, had an epidural done yesterday and my back is feeling fine. The tailbone hurts where they injected the steroids, but I can live with that.
Sorry that Sissy is sick. Hope she is well soon. Missed you this summer and glad to see you back. Love and hugs

Celestina Marie said...

Oh Stephanie,
I nearly passed out when I saw your comment on someone I was visiting. Came right over to say hello and so glad you are back to blogging. Every time I looked you were still gone.

What a summer you had and I am so glad that all is on the mend and you are enjoying a little back to normal time. Love the pics and especially you and the little darlings. So cute and so grown. Aut. looks gorgeous as always too. So glad your sweet mother is fairly well. Yes, my hubby had that very same thing many years ago on his hand from an injury he had. It was painful but cleared up nicely with doctors care.

I hope your Fall is off to a sweet start and you are enjoying the season. Big puppy hugs for Sissy too. I am glad she is better.

I have missed you very much. I sent you an email but did not want you to answer cause I knew what all was going on.


Love you sweet friend.
Celestina Marie

Shannon@Cozy Home Scenes said...

I've never been to your blog before but I saw the name on several other blogs and wanted to see what Angelic Accents was. I'm sorry about all the health problems you have been dealing with concerning your mom and your fur baby. I hope both of them get back to good health soon. I have a fur baby that wants me all the time,too. That is sweet but as you know, can cause anxiety for her and for me. Good luck with everything!---------Shannon

Grandma Yellow Hair said...

So much happened in such a short time for you my dear friend.
Glad your mom did good with her eye surgery.
I almost cried reading about your troubles with Sissy. Hope all is better for her now.
Precious pics of your grandbabies.
Nothing better than time off with them.
We have missed you
Love
Maggie

Barb said...

Hi Stephanie, so good to hear from you again. I'm sorry for the things you have gone through....life is tough sometimes,isn't it?

Sending good thoughts your way.

Hugs, Barb

a Pocket Angel said...

Stephanie, Sorry Ive not visited your blog in a while.I've not been blogging, facebook seems to be my thing these days. It was nice to see what you've been up to.
Thanks for stopping by & leaving
a comment about Bella.. how our grandchildren have grown!
Hugs to you sweet friend. I smiled when I saw your banner.. Hugs~Mary~

Sandi@ Rose Chintz Cottage said...

Good morning Stephanie and welcome back! You have been missed, sweet friend! I'm glad your mother's eye surgery went well. I had my two eyes done four years ago. My meds had caused the cataracts and the good news is, I no longer have to wear glasses or contacts which I have worn most of my life. I only need readers now.
My son's doggy got very sick and they had to put her down. She was only seven and it was very hard for them.
I'm glad you're back and life can return to normal for you.
Christmas is coming; lots to look forward to!

Blessings and hugs,
sandi

Monica said...

Oh Stephanie,
glad you're back! I won't repeat all that has been well said in the previous comments...
Sending hugs and good vibes your way,
Monica xo

~Becca~Bluebird Rose said...

Welcome back, my friend.
Sorry for all the illnesses with your loved ones.
Wishing you brighter ~ and healthier ~ days ahead!
:)
~Becca~