Happy Birthday Lucy!!

Happy Birthday to my Lucy Lou. My pride and joy, my sweet, wonderful friend. The dog who was brought home to do agility with, but showed me that she was born to work sheep. The dog who has embarrassed me to shades of red I had never seen, the dog who makes me beam with pride. The dog who looks at each opportunity as an adventure, and the dog who I am proud to say is a Kelpie.

Never would I have thought my life would have taken such a turn. Lucy sleeps with me each night, and is my co-pilot in the car.

Many time Lucy will amaze me and frustrate me in the same fifteen minutes. Sometimes on the trial field we invent new ways to look bad. But never, not once, EVER has she failed to bring me my sheep. We get side long looks sometimes, but those who engage in this criticism, don't have the luxury to see what I do every single day. A dog who will do what I ask, no matter how hard, and she will do it with a good attitude.

She's truly my once in a lifetime dog, and I love her.

News is not good

I heard from the vet that did the surgery. It appears what they thought was not a recurrence of the tumor, is. And, it had changed to something worse- more invasive, and removing it left an area of tissue that may not heal. Infection is also a possibility. This is clearly a cancer now, whereas before it was equivocal (based on pathology of the tissue). The upshot is that this is now something that will not "go away", but will recur, and since we've already had two surgeries, there just isn't any real estate left.

So, my Nikke is staying over night at the vet's tonight, and then we will take it day by day. Her time is not measured in years anymore. It's so hard. I am beginning to think that as my dogs go, and once they are gone, I won't have any more. I just can't take this.

Cheating

Yes. I am. I am using both hands to type. Please note that my shoulder is in the correct immobile position, but still, it feels great to type normally!!!

This week's weather has been just great. Still very wet ground, but no snow :) Well, maybe some small banks here and there, but the yards are just about clear of it. Going to rain Thurs-Sun, so that ought to make one huge mess.

Brought all the dogs in for their spring check ups- Heart worm checks, and physicals. Nikke had blood work for her surgery tomorrow. Kylie is 5 lbs heavier than her last weigh in (fatty!). Lucy is 37 lbs, Danny is 35. Danny I think growled at his reflection at the vet's door, but once we were in there, he was okay. When he first went into the room, he was a bit nervous, but a cookie made him friends with everyone. The vet went to school in Scotland, so she has seen lots of Border Collies.

The vet doing Nikke's surgery wanted to talk with me before he did. He remarked that the tumor, but basically it's a prolapse of her rectum, but not quite, is much larger than it had been, and we may have problems with infection, or it (the repair) not holding up... But, we've no choice. It has to be done. They offered to board Nikke over night, free of charge, so I took them up on it, since the clinic is 1/2 hour the opposite direction of work. So, I pick her up tomorrow.

The bill was just a hair under $500.00, for just the three dogs. I can't imagine what it will be for Nikke's surgery. They are NOT cheap.

Well, that's it for now- my shoulder's hurting.

A Good Time was had by All

I never did get to see the property, as the owners were away, but nevertheless, it was a good weekend! It started with my friend and I heading out to Barnes and Noble Friday night, for some browsing. Turns out there was an A-Capella group performing, so it was packed. I picked up a couple of books, and then we headed to Friendly's for some munchies. Twas a fun night.

Saturday I worked, and then made my signature steak dinner. It was SO good!

On Sunday, I met my friend at Vanderbilt mansion, and we walked Danny (my friend had him), and Lucy. It was such a beautiful day, it was almost 60 degrees! Came home, made a dinner of left over steak/rice/peas, and then chilled. A very good weekend indeed!

Food, flowers, fields

So, I worked today, then hit the grocery store on the way home. Then Lucy and I took a rest, while the other dogs stayed outside- it is so gorgeous outside, I think they got the better deal :) Lucy is still in heat, so we are in lockdown.

Tomorrow I am going to look at a property with 2 houses, 8+ acres/fields. Will take some photos..

Oh, and I got a very nice bouquet of flowers from work- that was a nice surprise :)

That's all folks!

Getting back to normal

So, I am getting back to the land of the living. Yesterday, I took some old Mason jars and organized/stored nails/screws. I also cleaned up the laundry room, and got a bunch of stuff together to chuck. Then I cleaned out my car- yes, all one handed. This morning I over slept :) I have finally been sleeping better.

Lucy is in heat, and Danny is nuts. One of them is getting snipped this spring. In my small house, it ain't easy...

This weekend I am doing something fun if it kills me! Oh, and this summer, I may be going to Norway!

Well, old one hander has to stop now!

The Surgery

One handed I am, so bear with me. When I got to the surg center, the weather was horrendous. I silently hoped that the surgery would be canceled, but seeing my Dr walk in dashed my hopes.

I get called in for the prep. Prep nurse who put in the i.v. really hurt me, and had the temerity to get angry at me for moving (not my arm but the rest of me). So, it's in, and I lay there. Adjacent to me is a little six year old crying while trying to negotiate with the anesthesiologist, to wait. Finally, it's his time, and I hear the Dr. order two Versed (sedative) for the little guy.
I make a mental note...

So, a little while later, the nasty nurse comes to tell me I have to get a nerve block (Scalene). This will completely numb my arm, but it will be somewhat uncomfortable. Now if SHE says it will be uncomfortable....

So, in comes the Anesth, and he plops two large barrelled syringes on my stomach. Then my Dr stops in, and tells me about the block, at which time I tell him 4 Versed would be good for me. he chuckles. So, then it is time for thee block. I had to turn to the right, and stay still. Apparently I was not good, because said Anesth, said "This isn't working" I was immediately thereafter rendered helpless, by more Versed, and then, I got the block. I was then whisked away to the O.R., and within no time at all was knocked out.

When I awoke, I had an acrid taste in my mouth, and was duly informed that I had vomited when they extubated me. I lay there for a bit, and the Dr comes in to tell me that the cartilage was ripped off the bone in two places, that the shoulder was dinged around, and was very loose. Oh, and also he shaved lots of spurs at my collarbone, and acromium But! the ball and socket looked good. So, instead of a week of sling for my left arm, it's 6 weeks.

It will be one week tomorrow that I had the surgery, and I've been back at work for a few days now. Pain is diminishing. So, that's the deal