Today and Saturday Harmony hasn’t made it further than the master bathroom ajoining the bedroom to have a stool. At first we blamed it on the bedroom door being closed such that she couldn’t get out the doggie door to the yard. Today I would say she probably couldn’t make it any further than she did (it’s loose). She usually gets our attention or wakes us up. Fortunately, she hit a bathroom rug which I can wash. I hate when they mess the carpet . . .

Yesterday I poured some hydrogen peroxide on the stool sample as sort of a McGyver-type occult blood test. I saw some fizzing and suspected blood in her stool.

Today I am saving a sample for a trip to the vet tomorrow. It looks somewhat tarry which is a sign of blood that has been digested and passed along. So her stomach is being affected by something. No small wonder she won’t eat.

We are wondering out loud if she got ahold of a rat that had been poisoned. She certainly will catch and kill small critters like mice, rats and squirrels (thirteen kills to her credit, thus far). However, I haven’t known her to eat her catch, but why is she bleeding? She has three symptoms of possible poisoning (vomiting blood, stooling blood and lethargy) that require a trip to the vet. She doesn’t seem to have any of the other symptoms.

Bailey got ahold of some rat poison last month. I pried it away and induced vomiting for the rest of it. He had treatment and made out fine.

Today Harmony’s symptoms moved a little further down the GI tract. She had a stool that looks red, but no vomiting. She isn’t eating today at all. She is still lethargic and pretty much is hugging the bedcovers more than usual. She isn’t playing. The Bay-man (Bailey) is just fine.

Harmony was feeling pretty puny today. I can tell she is sick when she is lethargic. She also vomited about an once and a half of something soft and pink. She also didn’t really eat or drink much that we know of (at least for the later half of Friday).

Bonnie was discharged from the Adventist Medical Center today. She was treated with antibiotics at the hospital for pneumonia. She is now on oxygen at the foster care home.

Bonnie went to Portland Adventist Medical Center via ambulance this evening. She apparently has pneumonia. We talked with her about 10:30 pm and assume she will be admitted.

Bonnie is looking a lot thinner in the face these days. She seems to do OK when family visits or calls. She alternates between being seemingly OK at times (especially with family) and reluctant to cooperate or eat at other times.

If you know Bonnie well, now is the time to write to her. She still enjoys letters. She is in the beginning stages of dementia. I would write now while she still can enjoy and be encouraged by your communication.  Bonnie enjoyed all of your cards and letters at Christmas and will be sending (via Virginia) a New Years greeting.

 

Virginia is waiting on some special shoes. She should get them in mid-December.

Her podiatrist is releasing her back to work after she gets the shoes. She has been walking around the house. Now she will be able to walk around outside and be more mobile.

She still has the trach. There is currently no rush to take it out. The pulmonary doctor says she can work with it in. Just wear a simple surgical mask (probably won’t even show with some of her shirts). She will be evaluated for sleep apnea at some point. After that is done we would know if she needs the trach permanently.

Virginia came home last Thursday evening.

The dogs are soooo glad to have her home again. They don’t have to be in their kennel cage while I am at work. Bailey is a 23 pound male Parson Russell Terrier and Harmony is a 13 pound female Rat Terrier.

She can walk from the bed to the chair and bathroom by herself. She sounds a little congested but a lot of people are suffering from allergies right now. Our shower has a sit down bench that really helps for showering.

I have a table with the featherweight sewing machine set up in the bedroom. She has picked a pattern for a queen sized bed quilt. Now I just have to find the fabric.

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related death in American women, but early detection through mammograms and breast exams can save lives. Women in their 40s and older and younger women with an increased risk should schedule an annual mammogram. 

Visit the National Cancer Institute  site for information on preventing, detecting, treating, and coping with breast cancer.