Pets....Some Thoughts Update

Pets...gotta love them.  Many become much more than just pets to us, they are members of our family.  Pets come in all shapes sizes and species, dogs, cats, birds, fish, other small animals like chinchillas, guinea pigs, and hamsters, etc.  Some people keep bugs or reptiles, but for me, personally, furry, cuddly, and trainable are my preference.

We have a number of pets in our house, Mike the dog is a shepherd mix about 2 years old.  We adopted him from Every Creature Counts pet rescue when he was about 6 weeks old.  He is a really sweet dog, but he's a digger.  Our back yard looks like someone was dropping bombs in a horse corral.  Oh yes, he's also very hard on the grass, especially where he has a straight shot at a run the length or width of the yard.  Even without his digging, the yard looks like horses have had the run of the place.

Then there is Checkers the neurotic poodle.  She is about 6 years old and is a party poodle.  Party poodles are a breed of poodle that have multiple colors, in Checkers' case, she is a mix of black and white, similar to a checkered flag.  We adopted her as an impulse adoption from a pet shop, she was a little, adorable, fluff of fur and I couldn't leave without her.  She was probably 2 months old when she came home with us, and really holds her own with her larger brother.

Another member of our family is Ace the bird.  He is a Blue Fronted Amazon parrot and is about 25 years old.  Hubby brought Ace into his household before we were married, and Ace has been with us ever since.  I did not grow up in a house with a large bird, so I had no idea they actually have personalities.  Ace is a hoot.  He laughs, wolf whistles, mimics the microwave beeps, likes to watch animal planet on television, and is pretty low maintenance.  He gets fed once a day, water kept fresh, and clean newspapers weekly, and he is quite happy.

Our final fur member of our family is our son's chinchilla.  Gabe the little beast, is also low maintenance.  Chinchillas do not make noise, don't smell, will eat and drink at their own pace over a period of a couple of days.  Our son regularly socializes with the little beast, but I haven't noticed the he has learned any recognizable tricks.  He knows when you are going to give him a treat, and he takes it off your hands with little or no problem.

Now that you know all about our pets, I would like to tell you about Mike the dog, and today's adventure. Remember, Mike the dog is the one who makes our back yard look like a bombed out horse corral. This morning he was outside and running around like young dogs do.  I went to sit down out on the patio with my glass of ice water, yelled at the dog to quit digging a couple of times, and began to read the morning paper. Well, Sunday's morning paper.  Mike the dog finally wore himself out and lay down in a shady spot on the patio.  As I was looking at him, panting after lots of play, I noticed one of his paws was bleeding...a lot.  All over the patio to be precise.  So we got ready to go to the vet.

We have a contractual relationship with one of the large pet stores that happen to have a pet hospital associated with it.  The closest location is about four miles away, and once I got the leash on Mike the dog, he pretty much drug me out to the car.  We drove over to the pet hospital, and after they looked at his foot, he was destined to spend a fun filled afternoon with the surgeon, anesthesia, and stitches. I pick him up in about 1/2 hour.  He had a pretty good slice on his paw from some garden edging we have in the yard.  Of course being 2 years old and a boy, he was all about playing, and as a fur mom, I'm all about the bleeding.  So I'm glad I took him to hospital, and they fixed him right up.  All for under just $300.

So are pets family members?  You bet your boots they are! I don't spend $300 for just any old body getting a couple of stitches.  I need to make a note to self to remove the garden edging in the yard soon. I doubt Mike the dog will stop playing or digging.  Since he is going to be off his feet for a couple of days I took the opportunity to re-seed the grass in the area in which he usually plays.  I hope the grass grows fast.

It was an interesting, but a good day.

p.s. Picked Mike the dog up at about 6:30pm. He wasn't as loopy as I thought he would be.  Couple of stitches later, and here he sits, quite uncomfortable wearing a cone of shame.  He has the cone to keep him from chewing the stitches.  He has a pain killer, and an antibiotic he has too take for 7 days.  He will be fine I'm sure.

Another Day - Another Doctor

First of all, I feel better. But I'm not out of the woods yet.  Today I went to a new doctor, this one is a neurologist.  The purpose of going to this doctor is to make sure my family doctor didn't miss anything on his diagnosis.

So far, I've been to an emergency room a couple of weeks ago, with an absolutely horrific headache. It was like being zapped every 20 seconds behind my left ear with a Luke Skywalker light saber.  While there, I was given a catscan, diagnosed with Bell's Palsey, given some meds, told to follow up with my primary care physician.  The ER trip was 5/8.

The first available appointment with my family physician was 5/12.  That was ok, but there are a lot of 20 second zaps between Monday and Friday.  So family physician diagnosed Bell's Palsey caused by shingles in my left ear.  Also continue with antiviral medication, and another medicine for nerve pain, and continue with extra strength Tylenol which seemed the only thing to help with the 20 second zaps.  I was also referred to a neurologist to make sure we didn't miss anything. Prudent.  The first available appointment with the specialist was 5/24.  While that seemed a long time, I was able to hold it together by taking the prescribed meds.

So today, the neurologist diagnosed a case of Ramsay Hunt Syndrome. I will be scheduled for an MRI within a week, to take a peek and make sure no permanent nerve damage is sitting there. Here is what I got out of this, that the ER was correct, I did have Bell's Palsey.  The family doctor was correct that the Bell's Palsey was caused by the shingles virus.  The neurologist was also correct, in that Ramsay Hunt Syndrome is the umbrella name for what I have.  It's caused by the same virus as chickenpox, and shingles.  My antiviral medication ended last Sunday, but I will get a new one tomorrow.  The shingles rash that was in my left ear is gone, but has moved to the ganglion nerve in my face, causing the Bell's Palsey and pain.

The doctor today kept saying this condition is very painful - he didn't get an argument from me on that.  Oh yes, then there is my left eye.  I can't blink or wink with the left side of my face not cooperating, so the left eye is under strain because it can't keep itself moist.  Fair enough, I knew I was having trouble reading, especially when I was really tired.  So the other thing I have to do is keep eye drops handy and every 2 to 3 hours use them, and at night put the drops in, then cover it shut.

I'm trying to keep a stiff upper lip with this, and that is only easy on one side of my face.  I'm much too young to be this old.  Hopefully, this will go away in a month or so.  Time will tell.

On the other hand, this will go away.  - So all in all, it was a good day.

I Promise to do My Best...

Last evening it was my pleasure to do something that in the 6 years of existence of the Troop 376 Color Guard, we have never done before.  We had an early induction ceremony for two cub scouts into our color guard.

We did not take this gesture lightly.  Two weeks ago, our color guard members recognized the cubs for their multiple contributions to our color guard during public service activities.  These two cubs were voted into the color guard by the boy scout members of the group.  That's a very big deal.

Last night was the final step in their early induction.  We were invited to the Pack promotion ceremony, to pin their credentials onto their uniform.  The cub scouts we honored worked hard to get into the color guard without even knowing it.  They were interested and available on multiple occasions, both public and scout related, and jumped in to help out our team.  They followed instructions and were very much an addition to the events.

With the color guard voting them in, the team took ownership of their little brothers, to teach them and to care for them.  Last night the cubs took ownership of doing their best to help the color guard, and to respect the flags.

These two young men have made the same commitment as their older brothers for anytime they also serve the public.  They no longer have to ask to serve.  They no longer are simply cute additions to the team (although they are still as cute as they can be).  They are full members of the color guard, and how do we know this going forward?  By the unique American Flag pin that was presented to them by their mothers.  Pinned over their heart on the left pocket flap.

They worked hard to be recognized, little did they know they would be accepted and welcomed onto the team, not just recognized.  In the finest cub scout tradition, we asked them to promise to do their best, and I'm sure they will.

Sometimes change is unnerving. But SOMETIMES...change is quite exciting.  We look forward to a long and productive relationship with these young men.  Congratulations!

It was a good day.

Time Passes So Fast

Bragging Alert.... I admit it, this is a mom perspective.  Time really does pass so fast, it seems like only four years ago that our son started high school.  Oh wait - it was only four years ago, but four years sounds so much longer than it seemed.  It's interesting, that every organization, no matter where you are in life, sees accomplishments of people in their orbit as an accomplishment BECAUSE they were in their orbit.

In our son's case, he is an Eagle Scout with Silver Palm, and of course we think he is so successful because he was a product of scouting.  Tonight he had the privilege of accompanying his fellow choir members in a great rendition of "Moonglow".(best watched full screen and sound up)  And of course statistics indicate students who are involved in music do better in school, are more well rounded, and are generally more successful throughout their life.  On top of being able to play the piano, he was also a bass singer in the Select Mixed Choir which is the school's best singers.  Auditions are required to get into Select Mixed. Our son has clearly enjoyed his time in the school in general, and this choir specifically.

In this case, everyone can take credit for this kid turning out ok.  We believe that the experiences and friends he has because of scouts helped to shape his path through life.  We also believe that the experiences and friends he has because of the music department in high school, including choir, marching band, and winter percussion have also helped to shape his path through life.  With any luck, he won't fall far from the path he has started down and his life will be fabulous and happy no matter what he chooses to do in the future. In other words, all orbits can take credit for turning out this great kid.

While there were lots of year end awards given out, they singled out the seniors for special recognition.  One of those recognition areas was for the seniors who were in the choir for all four years of high school.  We took a video of that presentation.  He received a chord which he will wear with his cap and gown at graduation, and the color signifies music.  Our son also received the following awards: Most Important Singer Award - Select Mixed Bass; Fred Waring's Director's Award - for significant contributions across multiple music groups (in  his case it was choir, marching band, and winter percussion).

As you can tell, he is talented, and we are very proud of him.  Not just for his achievements, but because he turned out really well.  Now all we have to do is survive the ride called college. But that is a future adventure.

Today was a celebration and it was a good day.

When Life Throws a Curve

Sometimes...life throws us a curve.  It happens to all of us at one time or another.  How we deal with it is what really makes the difference.  Over my life time, I've been thrown my share of curve balls, and yesterday's was no different.  Well, a little different. Oh OK, a lot different.  Yesterday, I had a health scare that I didn't see coming.  In the past, I've dealt with disappointments, accidents, and losses of infinite variety.  But I could always say, "at least I have my health."

A week ago, I had what I thought was an earache, but over time, it kept moving.  Ear hurt, teeth hurt, ear hurt again, where I used to have tonsils hurt, scalp hurt, but I couldn't pinpoint exactly what I was feeling and where it hurt.  Yesterday, I woke up with a major headache, and it was no longer moving. The pain was intense, pulsating, and settled in right behind my left ear.  I would get zapped with what felt like an electronic pulse at an interval of about every 20 seconds.  With pain like that, it doesn't take long to get your attention.

During my last two conversations with my arthritis doctor, she had mentioned to be on the look out for a change in my medical condition which might include a horrific headache that is unusual in its length and intensity.  What we didn't talk about was where that type of headache might appear, temple, sinus, back of head, back of neck, etc.  Well, this headache yesterday fit the bill of unusual, not going away, and really intense.  I called the doctor's office, and was advised to go on over to the local emergency room.  So, with hubby driving, we went the 4 miles to the local hospital emergency room, checked in and sat...for about four hours.  In between time, I went through various stages of checking in, and managed to upset each person I talked with, because I was being zapped behind my left ear at 20 second intervals.

Eventually, I was given a catscan and they verified that I have a brain, and nothing extra, like tumors, or an aneurysm, or evidence of a stroke.  Basically, physically looking at my face, they were able to diagnose Bell's Palsey.  OK, well, that wasn't in my plan for the day.  In the grand scheme of things if you have to be diagnosed with something in an emergency room Bell's Palsey isn't all that bad.  They don't know what causes it, but suspect that it's caused by a virus.  It generally doesn't last too long, a day, maybe a week, but normally goes away in less than a month.  Yep - this is something that goes away, eventually. That's a very good thing.

In the mean time, I was beginning to suspect I was going to have to miss a very special Boy Scout troop meeting.  There was so much to do.  Parent meeting, interpreter strip qualifications, and early induction of cub scouts into our color guard.  As time wore on, I was getting more fatigued from waiting and still getting zapped every 20 seconds. I knew I was going to have to spend the evening resting. Fortunately, cub scouts, boy scouts, and ventures are raised by really cool parents.  I had lots and lots of help to make sure all the activities and events I had planned to be a part of, come off without a hitch. I am so thankful to everyone who stepped up and made the events great for the scouts. Our parents are absolutely the best.

Meanwhile, back at home...they gave me pain pills that have generally taken care of the electric pulses behind my left ear.  I take these every six hours, and they do manage the pain, for about 5.5 hours.  That last half hour is still an adventure.  My facial changes are somewhat subtle to look at, but functionally this too is an adventure.  Normal activities I didn't think about day before yesterday, are eventful today.  Special challenges include:  sipping coffee - half of my lips don't work like the other half; blinking - right eye blinks, left eye, not so much; winking - I can wink my right eye, no winking with the left; smile is a bit off; never thought I would raise one eye brow and not the other.  Finally, I can close my left eye, but I have to close my right eye first - this comes in handy at night going to sleep.

So...yes...I was thrown a curve yesterday, one I cannot say "but I have good health,"  If I look on the bright side (with my one good eye), I can still see, I can still move, eat, laugh, read, type, and sleep.  I wake up on the correct side of the grass in the morning, I have a loving family, great friends, and I know I can still make a difference.

It's a good day.

Achievements Come in All Sizes

Tonight our scouts worked on advancement.  While the troop works as a group, advancement is very personal.  Each scout works on items at their own pace, with the harder they work, and the better they follow the plan in their handbook, the more successful they are at achieving rank advancement.

For some scouts, advancement is not the most fun thing they do at scouts. These scouts come for the social interaction, and if they actually happen to advance, well....fine.  Other scouts are very focused on getting the skills and merit badges they need to move up in the ranks.  With very few exceptions, the boys who are in the scouting movement are among the nicest kids you would ever like to meet. Every scout is different, yet all our scouts do their best to live the scout oath and law. Sometimes they are better at it than other times.

As an adult in a troop, it is positively fun to watch the scouts grow, and mature - in other words - advance.  The scouting movement have a variety of ranks that are used to measure progress and its genius is that the skills of the lower ranks are the same for everyone, but can be worked at an individual pace.

In a boy led troop, once the skills are mastered, and the scout reaches first class rank, they can sign off on achievements that the younger scouts have achieved.  The skills are handy, but also age appropriate, and achievable with a bit of elbow grease.  Following the skills mastery for any given rank, the scout must have a conference with their scoutmaster.  This is not a rubber stamp discussion, but a discussion, not only of the scout and his newly acquired skills, but a one on one discussion with an adult authority figure.  Starting at a very early age, this additional skill is so important, and in my opinion, getting comfortable talking to other people, particularly those who have an advantage or authority position, is a life skill that the scouts will use throughout their lives.  School, work, volunteering, private sector, government, it is a skill that will serve them well no matter where their life achievements take them.

Following the scoutmaster conference, there is a board of review.  The scout comes before at least three adults to whom they are not related, and answer questions from this board.  I suspect for our younger scouts, the first couple of boards of review are fairly nerve racking.  I can just imagine, sitting there as a youngster who has acquired some skills according to the plan in their handbook, with adults across the table from them asking them questions.  I have been privileged to sit in on a number of boards of review from tenderfoot up to and including Eagle ranks.  The board of review is not a retest of the skills they have acquired, nor does it resemble the Spanish Inquisition.  The questions, if framed properly can coax out thoughtful responses even from scouts who are 11 or 12 year olds. Given a chance, these kids are amazing.

Tonight, I was honored to be asked to sit in on two boards of review, one for 2nd class, and one for tenderfoot.  Both scouts did well in their review, and achieved their advancement in rank.  The introspection, and thoughtfulness of their answers was nothing short of amazing.  This is one of the duties that keeps me going.  It is so rewarding to have the interaction with each and every one of the scouts going through their review.  I'm humbled when a scout asks me to participate in their board of review and I cannot remember ever turning down a request.

Today, several of our adults were able to be on the board of review resulting in being on the  front line in congratulating each scout on their newly acquired rank.  Imagine being the first, second, or third person to shake the hand of a brand new 2nd class or a new tenderfoot scout, and to look at their new demeanor.  They stand a little taller, they are a bit more relaxed, and a bit more confident.  Who couldn't smile at that?  It was a good day.