Hi everyone -
I had a wonderful relaxing weekend, despite it starting off so poorly with an annual physical on Friday afternoon, and news from the vet that we have to take Mischief to a vet heart specialist to have an echocardiogram. Her red blood cell count was VERY high again. And apparently there are 4 things that can cause this: kidney/liver disease or lead poisoning (these were ruled out via a blood test), a leaky heart valve (hence the need for an echocardiogram), or a rare condition (polycythemia) that causes her bone marrow to produce too many red blood cells. The vet wants to rule out the leaky heart value so she can proceed with treatment. When I got the news from DH that our Mischief needed an echocardiogram asap and that her red blood cells were back up, I was just going in for my doctor appt. In fact, the nurse was with me (getting height, weight, vitals, etc.) as DH was giving me the news. As I got off the phone, I just started crying out of worry. She asked what was wrong and I told her. I know the nurse well as I've been going to this doctor/nurse team for 7 years. She has shared before about her husband's chronic back condition, and when I told her about Mischief, she shared with me about her two dogs' serious health conditions and that she can totally relate. Anyway, as expected my BP was up. My doc came in and asked me about my dog, and I explained to him what the vet thinks she has...and the tests she has done (and the echocardiogram) to rule out everything else. He said he has several human patients with polycythemia, and he concurs with what my vet is doing. My doc was great. He spent about 15-20 minutes of my hour long physical appt just talking with me about my dog. Such a nice guy!
Saturday was grocery shopping day, and without a scooter cart available at the store, I was hurting when we got home, so I relaxed the rest of the day. Yesterday, I cooked lots of make ahead meals, and some homemade meatballs and also a meatloaf. It was sunny both days on the weekend, so I was outside soaking up the sun...until the chilly winds chased me back indoors. I got some exercising in, in the form of stretching, a little yoga and balancing work. Tonight and Wednesday I'll be going to water aerobics class.
I'm glad our Southern Worldly Sisters are okay. I was really worried about y'all with all those storms.
Shad - Thanks for starting the new thread! I'm definitely motivated and working on movin' as well. I totally agree with your comments about Will and Kate's wedding. I loved the dress, the ceremony, even the trees in Westminster Abbey. In addition to the fashion disasters of Eugenie and Beatrice, I thought a lot of the other dresses were awful. Many were poor fitting, too tight in the tummy or rear, and some were just plain ugly. And many of the hats were ridiculous! I thought the Queen looked very nice though...and healthier and more vibrant than in years past. I hope you had a thoroughly wonderful Labour Day holiday!
Mel - I had to laugh about your suggestion to Annie to wear her nightgown outdoors. I'm sure Annie would give the neighbors a thrill, but where we used to live we had a neighbor that would do early morning weekened gardening in her shear short nightgown....it was not a pretty sight. It got so bad that my DH wouldn't even look outside (let alone go outside) in the early morning hours until I told him the coast was clear.
Where are you my friend? No post for a couple days?? I hope you're doing okay.
Ellen - Good luck with your ban on the Internet. It's sad that there's so much "adult" stuff out there that kids shouldn't be seeing. I've given myself a break from the Internet for the past couple weeks. Unless I have website work to do, I haven't been getting on the computer much after work or on the weekends. I've been doing more reading and playing with the doggies.
Laura - Good for you for doing a circuit class on Saturday!!
As I was reading you post, I was going to suggest Joann's for the buttons. They have a much better selection than Hobby Lobby. Our Hobby Lobby is turning less into hobby/craft stuff and more into decorative items. I really have to refresh my memory on making clothes, the items you make sound so adorable. Do your pj pants have elastic waists or drawstrings or both? Speaking of picking up twigs and branches, the big winds we had this weekend brought down a few good size branches (not as bad as last year but heavier than I can pick up). DH mentioned that he'll need to pick up all the sticks prior to mowing...and unfortunately, I can't help him. I'm feeling pretty useless.
Annie - Sorry that things just aren't sparking with Alan. I'm glad you had a good time with your Dad though. Too funny about the crock pot story. Safe travels from Humana to CVS on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Happy - I'm glad you enjoyed the wedding. I have a question regarding etiquette...our next door neighbor's son is getting married on Saturday. We are not invited...which is okay because we aren't really close friends with the neighbors. We're talk over the fence friends, borrow things back and forth, etc., but we don't really socialize. Anyway, I was just wondering if we should get a wedding card and include a small gift or if just a card is appropriate. Any suggestions? With Mischief's echocardiogram, we aren't rolling in money (not that we ever were)...but I just wanted to know if it's appropriate to give a gift when you aren't invited to the wedding or reception. What a great idea your SIL had! How nice that you get to enjoy a few weeks of Mom time before your trip to Wisconsin! It's so important to spend as much time as possible with our parents. DMIL will be 80 in July. I agree with you about Wills and Kate being a couple in love. I just don't remember seeing the same expression of love on Charles' face when he married Diana, probably because even back then he was in love with Camilla...God only knows why. To answer your question...my company's health fair is this week. At noon, I'm attending a healthy cooking demonstration. I'm going to miss two of the seminars that I signed up for tomorrow due to Mischief's vet appointment. Good luck with the new gyne. I just have my regular internal medicine doc do my gyne appts.
Ceejay - Scary that your area is having so much flooding. I'd be really leary of driving on flooded roads. I've seen cars stall in high water too many times.
Sending prayers of staying high and dry to my Southern sisters. Be careful, my friends.
Sending hugs and prayers to Mel too. Please let us know how you're doing.
I hope everyone has a great week. Please keep your fingers crossed that we find that Mischief's heart is 100% okay at her appointment tomorrow.
Love and hugs to all,