Almost the weekend...

Not much time to post...just wanted to send a quick update that me and WGH and the boys (the canine ones, Albert and Bally) are taking a long weekend in the mountains of North Georgia.  We always go away this weekend...a tradition of sorts.  Anyway...the weather should be nice, dry, and chilly...Will post pics upon our return.

I won't be working on Monday--which simply means that I postpone my normal Monday blahs to Tuesday...and it's month end close...NICE!

Have a great weekend!!!  I know that I plan to!

Quick Update

I didn't get around to posting any photos...but thought I would update Albert's status...the doctor is not sure what the ailment is...but has assured us that Albert is not in pain.  She did an ultrasound of all of his major organs yesterday and everything looked healthy and his blood pressure was perfectly normal (supporting the no pain claim).  Anyway...she has said that the x-rays looked normal to her--so no lung cancer.  They did test his urine and that showed that he does have a urinary tract infection...but the liver enzymes were within a normal range.  This contradicts the next hypothesis of Cushing's Syndrome...a thyroid condition (at least that's what WGH told me...I haven't thoroughly researched).  While Al is showing some of the symptoms (ravenous hunger, excessive thirst, hair loss) of that, the fact that the bloodwork in July wasn't elevated and the fact that his liver enzymes (from the urine) weren't elevated yesterday, she's pretty sure that's not what it is.  Anyway...next Tuesday, he's going back for another test...something about his larynx being enlarged.  They will have to sedate him to check this...but she seems to think this is relatively easy enough to check...and could provide answers to the panting problem.  I did notice last night, that the normal triggers for barking (a doorbell ring on television or my cell phone ringing, for example) did not elicit any sort of response...so maybe this is the issue.  What I don't know and what WGH failed to ask (or tell me) is what the course of treatment is.  If it's not the larynx issue...then we may have to pay to run the official test for Cushing's...(each of these procedures run about $200...plus the $200 we spent yesterday...but if it gives us peace of mind and Albert relief, I can't think of money better spent...I know, we are crazy dog parents!!!)

At any rate...for now, Albert is taking Cipro for his infection...hopefully, that will at least begin to clear before next week.

Thanks again for reading...and I promise I hope to get back into the swing of things soon...and I will post those photos!

Make today a great one!!!

Where Have I Been???!!!!!

First and foremost, if any of you are still out there reading…I am sorry. I am sorry for my lack of diligence in posting on this blog for well over a month…actually, 7 weeks, to be exact (but who’s keeping count?). I fell and fractured my foot…and well, with my foot out of commission, so was my head. Unable to exercise and hold myself accountable—left me with very little blog about. However, I am back…and with a (hopeful) vengeance. To think that I would actually miss exercise used to be almost laughable…but I really and truly did. The doctor release me from the prison of my orthopedic boot (pics to follow…but think huge, gray, cinder block attached to one of your extremities…and you will know just what I went through!). Anyway…while the foot is not fully 100%, I am going to attempt to make it back to the gym this week. I know that long times on the stairstepper are not likely—but hopefully just some time on the bike or something will give me some peace of mind.




And speaking of peace of mind…I know that many of you know nothing more about me than what is on here…but some of you might know some of my personal life. Well, I am going to ask for some positive thoughts and prayers…not for me, but for my canine boy (one of two in our house), Albert. Albert was a geriatric pup when we adopted him some four years ago. I found his picture on the bulletin board at the hospital when my Mom was in there. After my Mom passed away, probably as a way to ease my pain, WGH (World’s Greatest Husband) agreed to Albert coming to live with us. He really helped me manage that horrible time in my life...just being there to look at me with his crinkly face and his huger (is that a word) than teddy bear appearance has been a source of comfort for me. Anyway…fast forward to today…Albert has been showing some stranger than normal (and let’s understand, Albert’s behavior has been far from normal on anyone’s scale…) signs…heavy, heavy panting. Back in July, we had lots of bloodwork and other tests run—and at that time, our vet thought that Albert was fine…maybe experiencing some arthritic pains or something and the panting was a result of the pain. Over the weekend, Albert’s heavy panting started to include a wheeze (not all the time…but it was definitely present). So, WGH did take Albert back to the vet…where another vet in the practice (not our normal vet…and not one that I would prefer, since she has said she was more of a cat vet…but I am sure she’s perfectly fine…that’s just my preference). Anyway, she ordered a chest x-ray after examination of Albert. The x-ray showed a spot on his lung…and that’s all she’s said. Today, at 3:30p EST, WGH is taking Albert to an Internist (how silly is it that my dog has a specialist? And really, he has many specialists…he’s had surgery 2x, goes to physical therapy…need I go on?). Anyway…please send positive thoughts Albert’s way (and mine, too…I am/have been a wreck for 2 days!).



I will post more…just wanted to put a quick update out there…I have lots of pics to post…and will be sure to put Albert’s pic out there for you to see…



Until later…be good…and if you can’t be good, then be good at it!!!!