My 2nd biannual bone density scan
Posted: Tue Sep 09, 2003 7:49 pm
But first, the cats.
CONWAY remains my #1 worry. I was able to scrounge up enough money in my Chapter 13 budget to get one of those KLAW KONTROL bags used by groomers to keep dogs and cats under control. In my case, a size small, for 5-10 pound pets, that fits Conway like a glove. It is marvelous. I now have a much easier time putting the pills in his mouth, as I have no worries about also controlling his claws.
Of course, putting the pills in his mouth is one thing, getting him to swallow them is another. Although I have searched the apartment for evidence of pills coughed back up, I have found none. So maybe the pills are going down all the way? In any case, Conway continues to use the litter boxes and seems to be otherwise comfortable. He is even allowing me to pet him more often. He cannot purr, for some reason, but he gives out these little <umphs> of pleasure as I stroke him.
CZARINA remains the purring machine. But last Friday I discovered another barf/hairball. I still put the Benifiber in one of her water dishes. I still try to give her Petromalt, but she struggles against it. I bought a bag of DEFURR-UM cat treats, intended for hairball control, a crunchy, tasty biscuit supposed to be tempting for all cats. Conway and Max, yes; Czarina, no.
MAX continues to adjust, and is out in the living room more and more. He still avoids the kitchen, Czarina’s territory. Otherwise, he remains a cheerful, goofy comfort, sleeping with me sometimes, and otherwise enjoying himself.
@@@
Second, my health. I saw Donna, my physician, this morning, and we went over my latest test results, reviewed my medication program, discussed medical issues, and so on.
The most important piece of information was my bone density scan. Not only was I still in excellent shape, in fact my bones were slightly denser then my last test two years ago. Some of this may be due to the Vitamin D and Calcium I now take, some to the weight bearing exercises and yoga, and some to the estrogen I have been on for 14 months.
Donna was so pleased that she said I didn’t need to see her for another six months. I need to lose weight (who doesn’t?), and it would help if I could scrounge up the money for a high blood pressure home testing kit. But other then that, I am to see her again in six months. Oh, and I received my annual flu shot.
@@@
My AA friends are many and varied, and most take my not being a Christian in stride. They understand that I am in Chapter 13 and cannot do much about gifts on my restricted budget. But I can receive gifts, as long as it is not “income”. Even cash or checks would be OK, as long as they are gifts and not income. And most have no problems with the concept of a Freethinker like me working a spiritual program.
Anyhow, last February, before one of the meetings, one of my lady friends was giving “Angel Readings” with a set of 44 Oracle cards, titled “Messages From Your Angels”, written by Doreen Virtue, Ph.D.
Of course I was invited to draw one card as a message from my own, personal Guardian Angel. I drew YVONNE, whose card stated that “You have a special bond with animals. Your pets on Earth and in Heaven are watched over by angels.” The expanded commentary in the booklet about people like me was very embarrassing and I am going to omit it. Still, I did say that if I did have a Guardian Angel, YVONNE would be perfect, and I wouldn’t mind having a picture of her in my apartment.
Three months later, I had a picture of Yvonne hanging in my bedroom. 16” by 16” and framed, paid for by my friends as a way of celebrating my 19 years of sobriety on 17 March 2003. If you want to see what she looks like, here is a link:
http://www.angelartbyeve.com/haven.html
(There is a music file with this picture that may take some time to load.)
My bedroom has night lights for the benefit of Conway, and provide just enough light for me to see her opposite my bed. Many a night I have fallen asleep looking at her, with my left arm around my Teddy Bear, my right arm petting Max, and Conway curled up at the foot of my bed. I am not going to defend any of this, other then to say I sleep soundly at night.
CONWAY remains my #1 worry. I was able to scrounge up enough money in my Chapter 13 budget to get one of those KLAW KONTROL bags used by groomers to keep dogs and cats under control. In my case, a size small, for 5-10 pound pets, that fits Conway like a glove. It is marvelous. I now have a much easier time putting the pills in his mouth, as I have no worries about also controlling his claws.
Of course, putting the pills in his mouth is one thing, getting him to swallow them is another. Although I have searched the apartment for evidence of pills coughed back up, I have found none. So maybe the pills are going down all the way? In any case, Conway continues to use the litter boxes and seems to be otherwise comfortable. He is even allowing me to pet him more often. He cannot purr, for some reason, but he gives out these little <umphs> of pleasure as I stroke him.
CZARINA remains the purring machine. But last Friday I discovered another barf/hairball. I still put the Benifiber in one of her water dishes. I still try to give her Petromalt, but she struggles against it. I bought a bag of DEFURR-UM cat treats, intended for hairball control, a crunchy, tasty biscuit supposed to be tempting for all cats. Conway and Max, yes; Czarina, no.
MAX continues to adjust, and is out in the living room more and more. He still avoids the kitchen, Czarina’s territory. Otherwise, he remains a cheerful, goofy comfort, sleeping with me sometimes, and otherwise enjoying himself.
@@@
Second, my health. I saw Donna, my physician, this morning, and we went over my latest test results, reviewed my medication program, discussed medical issues, and so on.
The most important piece of information was my bone density scan. Not only was I still in excellent shape, in fact my bones were slightly denser then my last test two years ago. Some of this may be due to the Vitamin D and Calcium I now take, some to the weight bearing exercises and yoga, and some to the estrogen I have been on for 14 months.
Donna was so pleased that she said I didn’t need to see her for another six months. I need to lose weight (who doesn’t?), and it would help if I could scrounge up the money for a high blood pressure home testing kit. But other then that, I am to see her again in six months. Oh, and I received my annual flu shot.
@@@
My AA friends are many and varied, and most take my not being a Christian in stride. They understand that I am in Chapter 13 and cannot do much about gifts on my restricted budget. But I can receive gifts, as long as it is not “income”. Even cash or checks would be OK, as long as they are gifts and not income. And most have no problems with the concept of a Freethinker like me working a spiritual program.
Anyhow, last February, before one of the meetings, one of my lady friends was giving “Angel Readings” with a set of 44 Oracle cards, titled “Messages From Your Angels”, written by Doreen Virtue, Ph.D.
Of course I was invited to draw one card as a message from my own, personal Guardian Angel. I drew YVONNE, whose card stated that “You have a special bond with animals. Your pets on Earth and in Heaven are watched over by angels.” The expanded commentary in the booklet about people like me was very embarrassing and I am going to omit it. Still, I did say that if I did have a Guardian Angel, YVONNE would be perfect, and I wouldn’t mind having a picture of her in my apartment.
Three months later, I had a picture of Yvonne hanging in my bedroom. 16” by 16” and framed, paid for by my friends as a way of celebrating my 19 years of sobriety on 17 March 2003. If you want to see what she looks like, here is a link:
http://www.angelartbyeve.com/haven.html
(There is a music file with this picture that may take some time to load.)
My bedroom has night lights for the benefit of Conway, and provide just enough light for me to see her opposite my bed. Many a night I have fallen asleep looking at her, with my left arm around my Teddy Bear, my right arm petting Max, and Conway curled up at the foot of my bed. I am not going to defend any of this, other then to say I sleep soundly at night.
:catclock: 