KarenK

Decided to splurge and buy myself a new pair of sandals and sox for around the house as a birthday present to myself. Almost choke when I see the price of shoes. I've been wearing boots for so long(which are expensive), just never paid attention to shoes. My sandals are "Earth Shoes" bought at least 25 years ago for $10. They run at least $70 now. They are indestructible, but look pretty rough after all these years. I found some "Easy Spirit" ones at Penny's on clearance for $18, funky colors but my feet don't care. Not leather, but have good reviews. Almost impossible for me to buy shoes locally. Most shoes don't come in size 5 and ones that do aren't stocked in the stores.

I can understand having a space around your house during fire season or warm weather. Not much chance of fire when it's snowing though. Seems like there should be an allowance for firewood in winter. We always kept a small supply on the back porch at the cabin for winter visits. The bulk of it was in a big shed in the back yard.

I've been watching a lot of older movies. At least I recognize the actors. I watched "The Dollmaker" from 1984 with Jane Fonda. Never saw it before. I thought it was excellent. Helps to be familiar with Appalachian culture.

Might be a good idea to put a piece of metal over the rat entry, Gwen. The rat could chew the tape.

I'm in Scottsdale on the eastern edge of Phoenix. It snowed about 7 miles northeast of me as well as several other outlying areas of the valley. It has been many many years since it snowed one time at my house. Strange seeing snow on the Superstition Mins but it does happen. I believe it's a record breaking year for snow in Flagstaff, probably for lots of places in the country with these crazy storms.

Too bad you can't store firewood closer to the house and avoid some of the shoveling.

 Gwen, also wondering how you're supposed to manage the specialist visits. Kind of defeats the purpose of "home" health.

It actually snowed here in parts of the valley about 10 miles from me. None at my house. Have only seen snow at my place once in the last 55 years. I-40 shut down in the north country leaving dozens stranded at least overnight. Glad I'm not there! Desolate area between Kingman and Flagstaff.

My tax return is ready to mail. Can't file electronically because of extra forms required.

Marg, my heart hurts for you. Doesn't she grasp that she is taking a big chance by leaving too soon? I don't see how she's even able to get around by herself so soon. She must be tough as nails.

My writing is not affected. It's not a constant shaking, more like spasms that happen at the most inconvenient times. Happens most often when I'm really tired. I usually just use my other hand to steady the bad one. Have never mentioned it to the doctor. I'm sure he'd find some test to run...gotta make those bucks off my insurance somehow.

Marg, my dad had Parkinson's and shook badly the last few years of his life. Although they dined out frequently, I'm sure it was hard for him. He never complained. From what I've read, it is not hereditary.

Hope your sister calms down and stays put. Leaving too early could be a bad move.

I think a certain amount of shaking comes with the age thing. Makes it interesting to try and eat certain things like soup. I'm downright dangerous with a spoon and sugar for my coffee.

Gwen, she really needs to take a good look in the mirror. She's throwing stones at you to make up for her own failures. Don't let her brainwash you!

Don't envy you at all, Kay. Snow is beautiful when all you have to do is look at it. Wish you were rich and had a heated driveway.😁

Gwen, you have a friend there who needs you and cares. She's just not able to show it right now. I do wish you had known her better though.

Radar shows it's pouring at my house right now. Guess I'm under a glass bubble. Dry as a bone.

Probably the steroids are causing the improvement. The vet was quite surprised. There's no direct cause, nor cure for this disease. Vets just do the best they know how. In this case, it seems to be working. Even if it clears up, it can recur at any time.

Some good news about my Marley dog. Dropped her off at 6AM for an ultrasound. They had still not gotten around to her by 1PM so we decided to pick her up and reschedule when they weren't so "busy".  They had done bloodwork and vet says her recovery is miraculous. They had expected her to die when we took her in the first time. Last week her platelets had dropped to 15,000. They have risen to 135,000. She still has a bit of an infection and continues antibiotics. Taking two steroids(one of them probably for life) and unless she fails badly again, the ultrasound is off the table. It has been very expensive, but she is worth every penny.

Gwen,

Hepatic encephalopathy is associated with cirrhosis of the liver. It can cause mental confusion and hallucinations. Hoping the treatments will clear this up. When does she start treatment?

Thinking of you and sending positive vibes....

Gwen, what a mess you have! Maybe a hospitalization for her will be what it takes to turn the tide. I imagine drinking contributes to the stumbling also. If only she could see what she's doing to herself. When is the hospital scheduled and will she go willingly? So many aren't convinced they have a problem.

What about calling the pain clinic for an earlier consultation?

Marley is still acting normal except for a little confusion sometimes. Will know more after the ultrasound coming up Monday.

Kay, isn't there a nearby teenager you could hire cheaply to shovel for you? I don't see how you keep up with it.

Kind of mean that Iris won't let you inside. Just my opinion.

My freezer stays fairly empty. Don't have the funds to buy a lot at one time. When Ron was here and more money was available, he always bought large quantities. He seemed afraid to go hungry, a result of his poverty stricken childhood, I believe. Ironic that I'm barely above poverty now.

Why would Dee suddenly stop her meds? Sounds like she has gone over the edge. Please be safe.

Hope the patch helps. Did you ever find out what kind it is?

Kay, she has Immune Mediated Thrombocytopenia which destroys platelets. Only treatment is steroids which she is taking massive amounts of. Always at risk for infections which she now has. Not good for an old dog.

Several years ago my large freezer died. I discovered it in time to donate boxes of thawed meat to a women's shelter. Can't remember how I discovered the shelter as they are hidden for obvious reasons. They had to cook it all right away, but at least it wasn't wasted. My Sears contract paid for the lost food and a new freezer. That year the contract paid for itself. Doesn't happen often.

Sleep is not my friend right now either. Too worried....

I am so sad,upset, and exhausted. Marley's bloodwork not good. Platelets still dropping and WBC up indicating an infection. Vet changed meds and added an antibiotic. Ultrasound scheduled for next Monday(or before if she gets worse) to check for possible abdominal mass. She still seems happy, but less energy....

Kay, just out of curiosity, what do you pay for tv and internet(if you don't mind sharing)? I'm with Cox and I pay $240 a month, which seems ridiculous. I have no premium channels, but I do have unlimited data to cover all the gaming that the guys do. I don't have streaming capability or a smart tv. Although we have several tvs, only one has cable.

Gwen, I'm so glad to hear that Dee is willing to get help. It certainly won't be an instant fix, but definitely a step in the right direction.

My Marley's bleeding appears to have stopped. At least there is no visible blood in her urine. Will be taking her later today for another platelet check. She seems to be feeling a bit better. Fingers crossed....

Some people get extremely angry when they discover their world is not a perfect place where everyone and everything immediately caters to their needs and wants. I know people like that. Getting angry doesn't change a thing.

$HIT HAPPENS! Get over it! Harsh I guess, but it's reality.

I would think that heavy drinking and antidepressants would be a recipe for disaster. Another good reason to quit.

You haven't seen dust until you've lived in the desert. Maybe the same way when you lived in NM. Add in dog hair and it's a nightmare. Just another thing I have learned to live with. No longer have the stamina for much cleaning. I used to be an immaculate housekeeper....

Gwen, I have no experience with alcoholism, but I would imagine that Dee has good intentions and even believes that she can just not take a drink. It's like being a drug addict or a smoker. Your body craves the stuff and it takes a strong willed person to quit cold turkey. I watched Ron go from a 3 pack per day smoker to a pipe for a couple of weeks and wham, he just quit. He even had a whole carton in the fridge which went in the trash. I don't want to quit but am sure I couldn't do it like that. Would Dee go to AA meetings or does she already? Just sounds like she needs some help and would be so much better off. She is destroying both of you.

Sounds like a mistake in scheduling at the pain clinic. 2 doctors..2 days? What kind of pain patch?  Just more calls to make to check other people's accuracy...

Thank you Gwen. I know you and Kay have been through this with your dogs. It's hard when there is nothing you can do. Just hoping this autoimmune medicine will work. It is very expensive. Vets know how to prey on people's emotions. So far I've spent $2500 and know more is coming. You do what you have to for your furry babies.