Mike

Although the prostate/bladder problem is pretty much under control, Mike's back still hurts. We keep trying things but nothing really makes it go away. Unfortunately, I think this is one of those things that will resolve itself whenever it feels like it, and all we can do is wait.

Mike's Health Issues

Mike pulled one of his lat muscles about 2 weeks ago. It wouldn't get better, so he went to a clinic and got some muscle relaxers. Then he realized he was having to 'go' more frequently than usual, so he looked up the side effects of the meds.

Turns out it isn't recommended if you have an enlarged prostate, which he has. So he stopped taking it, but then he was unable to go at all this whole weekend.

I have never seen him in such pain. We finally went to the ER. Katherine drove us in my care so we could walk in while she parked.

When Mike was in the exam room, I realized he had a 'pot belly,' something he doesn't usually have! It was actually his bladder that was so full. They used a catheter to drain it, and found he had roughly 3x the urine in his bladder than normal. Just having that done made such a difference. He came home with the catheter attached and a bag taped to his leg.

He was able to see a urologist today, who took out the catheter. He's on antibiotics because he has a UTI, too.

Mike's back is starting to feel better, and now that the bladder problem is resolved he should be on the mend. He's got some other meds, too. All I know is, I felt so bad being unable to do anything for him.

BTW, the emergency room is so much nicer than when I used to go there. The waiting room has comfortable chairs with a water station for drinks. Each patient is actually taken to a room rather than one of those curtained-off areas, so it is very private. Katherine told me she also had no trouble parking. Used to be you'd have to circle around a few times until someone left!

Just glad the weekend is over and Mike is feeling better.

At the Pond

There is a nice park not far from where we live, with a big man made 'lake' in the middle. Mike discovered last year that it was full of turtles! He brought me there but there was so much algae all you could see was their little noses poking up through the surface for air.

Not this year, though. Got to see them myself. They are pretty big, too, maybe 8 inches to 12 inches long. A little boy was throwing cracker crumbs to them. Next time, I'll have to bring something for them. The turtles were swimming to the crackers like they had radar!

My Mom, Before She Was "Mom"

My cousin sent this picture to my sister. We aren't sure of the date but pretty certain it is before sh got married, which would put it in her early 20s. I love the luxurious hair (she set it almost every day until shortly before she passed) and the 1940s bathing suit!

Could she ever have imagined there was 70 years of life ahead?

Attie, post op

He's doing fine, but a little loopy. He HATES the collar.

Later: he got it off 3 times and it is a bear to put back on again, so we are just letting him go without it. He isn't licking at his stitches so I guess this is okay.

Next day: Seems back 100% but licking stitches so I decided to give him his pain meds. Now he is sleeping on the couch.

Pet News

We had Julie and Atticus to the vet last week to update their rabies shots. Attie got his but Julie couldn't because of an ear infection. I have been putting medicine in her ears. We go back today and hopefully they will be able to give Julie her rabies shot.

Atticus got into the neighbor's yard again and it was a production to get him out. It is beastly hot here and I just can't stay outside keeping an eye on him, so he's stuck indoors for a while. Attie is NOT happy and yowls at the backdoor enough to break your heart.

He's going in at 7:30 a.m. tomorrow to be neutered. Poor thing, it is lucky he doesn't know what's going to happen to him.

I hope they don't shave too much of his beautiful tail.