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What a family. *sigh* Some people make the world a better place and others do not. It's really very sad. I expect they do not expect her to ever go back to it again and plan to put it on the market as soon as it is cleared out. Very sad indeed.
Glad Tipper has had some walks, but might want to consider the benadryl option if allergies are going to be bad for her. She'll feel it more with allergies too since her cortisol is lower.
hugs
Sharlene and molly muffin
Hi Everyone:
The dogs got three walks today. The rain is just pouring and making ponds everywhere. The hail is next, then the snow!! Tipper is napping after all the activity. I just talked to Delora and she is so unhappy and crying. I learned something very unsettling when talking to her. She told me her daughter in law informed her hospice would be coming to see her. She said to me I thought they don't come until you are ready to die? I was silent I could not answer. I am just sick for her, she does not deserve this.I don't think I can go to that church for her service and see that monster son of hers preaching, I am really worried about what to do. We are having a lazy day today, this is all so depressing! Blessings
Patti
Hi Patti, Well, you can tell Delora, that my brother in laws mom is in a nursing home and hospice has been coming to see her for a year now. They help with taking care of her and making her more comfortable. Our Oma is doing okay. Her family comes and gets her for family dinners and other things and she is still kicking. Your time comes when it comes. How horrid though not to have a frank discussion with her about her condition. Obviously if they are clearing out the house they don't think she has long.
Just try to enjoy the day with the furlets. Hopefully it'll warm up tomorrow and melt any snow you get tonight.
hugs
Sharlene and molly muffin
Patti,
some people just suck.
Were you able to tell the nursing home staff about Delora's horrible family?
I'm so glad that the furlets got to walk, it's been pouring rain all weekend and we're expecting snow on Monday. I'm so over winter!
Hi Everyone:
Well Tipper woke up to 5 inches of new snow on top of an all day rain. It is a real mess out there. Tipper had a good nite, but lots of tremors. I just wish I could figure out the mechanism causing this and stop it somehow. It is very hard to watch her do this nite after nite. She woke up with mucus in her eyes again, a and swallowing a lot the last few days. It actually sounds like she had a drink and is swallowing it. Sharlene unfortunately here Medicare will not pay for hospice care for more than 4 months I believe. So Deloras son would never pay for it, and I feel she is on the way out and that they were told and are not telling her. I feel anyone who is dying has the right to know. What if there is something they want to do, or someone they want to see before they pass? They should have that right. It is hard to talk to her as all she does is cry.d I will go over this week, and take her some food as she said she cannot eat their food it is so bad. I hope for her sake she is not there long, and God has mercy on her as I know this is like torture to her. The cat is doing well, I actually think better than when she lived with Delora, and he is just insistent on getting her a new home. I wish he could just keep her. She sits on his lap at nite while he is watching TV. Why would he not want her for some company??? Well it is time for Tipper's pill and atrip outside. Blessings
Patti
my experience with hospices are very good, but they are indeed for the terminal ill persons. they allow pet visits overthere [in nl]
3 walks sounds great.
hope toby will be fine after his treatment today.
sleep well everyone.
Hi Patti,
Not that it's you who can arrange anything for Delora but Medicare pays for Hospice care if a doctor thinks the patient has 6 months or less to live. I don't know if being in a nursing home facility has any bearing on that or not, but coverage is for 6 months.
Hope it wasn't too cold for Tipper to get a walk. It was freezing and raw here this morning...5 inches of snow just East of the city, out near my mother's house. Winter doesn't want to give up.
Trixie did not care that there was an icy drizzle coming down when we walked out the door and cold wind blowing, she pulled straight to the park but I have limits some of the time...and I just could not go all the way there..plus I thought it might start to rain harder so we didn't stay out very long. She was disappointed to come back to the front door, but when we got upstairs I gave her a nice big bag to tear up and she enjoyed that activity very much.
Wish you had an answer to the tremors. I hope Tipper is feeling good today.
Barbara
Patti--no Medicare does not cover home aide care, but Medicaid does. If she has Medicaid an aide for the home can be arranged. It's not exactly complicated, but it's not easy either. You have to have an aide who is medicaid approved...or certified, I don't know if I'm using the right language but it's not like you can go out and find an aide and expect that Medicaid will pay the bill.
Medicare will cover Hospice care but it isn't like what you see on a movie where the hospice workers are there sitting by the bed with the patient. They are great people but they are not there to care for a person all day long, giving meals etc. They come in and out, making sure the person is comfortable, checking vitals, giving pain med...that type of thing.
It is not an easy or inexpensive option to have home care. We paid a fortune for my mother's care giver...believe me it was worth every penny to have such an amazing person to care for my mother so she could stay in her home but it cost a lot of money...and even with her, I covered all day/evening on Sundays and my brother was there for night time too...you need at least 2 people to do the job well. The primary caregiver needs at least a day off...and someone to shop for things...food, supplies etc.. It took 3 of us to keep my mother safely in her home...and one of them was on salary. I hate to say it and I don't know what type of place Delora is in but she's probably better off there with people helping her...unless it's a horrible place. It's so hard...there is a real lack of good places and care for the elderly, especially those that are ill.
I am unsure and have no experience with actual Hospice care centers and don't know if they exist in your area but it may be something to look into if she is very ill.
Barbara
Hi Everyone:
A late post today as I am on a break now. I have to pick Toby up soon. Tipper has the run of the whole house again, so she told me to leave him there. Toby always acts ruff and tough he copies Tipper's behavior, but when it comes down to it he is a cry baby. He was totally upset with no food this morning. He cried and crawled up my legs begging me. Tipper was quietly relishing every moment of it, as she knows that drill too well. He shook and cried all the way to the vets and had a hissy fit inside. He will be starving at 4 when I get him the poor thing. Yorkies as everyone knows have a reputation for getting nasty teeth so I must keep his up. I went and bought Delora a robe and bought her some lunch and took it to her room today. That place is horrible, and she cried. She said the food is horrible and really ate what I brought her like she was starved.She has really declined in this just this amount of time. Guess who went on vacation? I know you all said the son. Correct! I asked the nurse why Delora cannot call out on her phone. She said all the phones are like that, she said Delora can call the nurse and she will bring her a portable phone to use to call out. Her son neglected to tell her that so she could not call him!! Well I sure fixed him I went right back to her room and told her what she has to do to make phone calls. I told her why don't you call you son and ask him to come over??? He will have a kitten and if I ever run into him he will probably start in on me, but this time I will finish it. She was happy to see me and all she did was cry. If I had to stay in a place like that I would cry too. Tipper had a lot of tremors again last nite. I can't believe it will be April and she will have to go back to the hospital for a tumor check. That will ruin the whole month for me as it just makes me sick to wait there to hear her fate. If it stays nice this week I will give her a badly needed bath. She and I are enjoying the sunshine, it sure feels good on your face. I will post later after I get my baby boy home. Blessings
Patti
oh poor Delora. :( I feel so awful for her.
Yes, our Oma was expected to maybe make it a couple weeks and was in a coma. The family went there in April to say their good byes. Then the doctors took her off the IV pain meds, she regained consciousness and has was put on hospice care in the nursing home. I think it is still going, but maybe they took her off it. They thought she probably had a couple months left at that point. Unfortunately, her son, who took care of her and made the arrangments, developed a brain tumor and passed away within a couple months, and Oma is still going and still in the nursing home. Her daughter in law now takes care of things at the home and goes and gets Oma even for the family dinner/outings, so she won't be stuck there. Oma hates the home too, but it isn't an option for her to go anywhere else, the care just isn't enough outside of the home. :(
Is there no other nursing home that is better that could take her? Even an assisted living where they provide meals and help them when they need it would be better perhaps. Of course it is all in the sons hands and I doubt he is going to put any effort into her situation as it doesn't seem like he has in the past.
I'm sure Toby will be starving when you get him. I bet Tipper loves having the whole house to herself!
hugs
Sharlene and molly muffin
Hi Everyone:
I am so glad I did not get Toby's hair done before this dental. My God was he a mess when I picked him up!! He was crying and making a real low wimper all the way home. I gave him a little warm chicken as he was starved. He kept it down some just gave him a little more. He is woozy so I put him in his cage, and Tipper is napping from her three walks today. She was very happy to getbnput in the sun. It is really strange to walk past Deloras house and not see her wave to us. By the time I got medications for Lucky, Tipper's Vetoryl , and Toby's antibiotic I spent almost 500.00. It never ends. I don't like running short on medications though because I am not close to anything. I had to get flea protection for Toby too. This stuff is just all way too expensive. Toby is out cold as I am typing this. I can't wait until his hair is done, I hate my dogs not looking clean and brushed. We are going to rest tonite as tomorrow will be near 70 and rain in the afternoon so we will be walking in the morning and pitting the day collar on for evening. Blessings
Patti
glad that toby is home and eating. is he an old dog?
3 walks for tipper sounds great!
do you groom toby yourself?
500 dollar again......it is a lot of money!
hope the 3 of you will have a quiet night.
So glad Toby is all finished...poor guy all zapped out from the anesthesia. Glad he got some special supper eaten before he fell asleep. How nice Tipper got so much time outside today..she probably loved that, I hope she has a good night's sleep after all the exercise.
Barbara
Hopefully all is quiet for you tonight with Tipper being tired from the walks and Toby the anesthesia. Try to get some rest.
70 tomorrow! I am so jealous. :)
I know that it's strange not seeing Delora, I hope that you can manage to visit her and do talk with the social worker there.
Hi Everyone;
Well my little Toby had a great sleep, good breakfast, and a better walk. I brushed him out, but he looks like a shaggy mop. Can't wait until Friday to get him groomed and he will look and feel good. He has to be on antibiotics a few days and then go back and have the Dr. check his mouth in 2 weeks to make sure no problems. Tipper wants to attack Toby again as she can smell his scent is different from at the vets. She went after him when he was in his crate, thank God she could not get at him!! That scent stuff sets her off every time, and when he goes to the groomers and has the clean shampoo smell etc. she really goes after him. They have been separated for many months now so no worry, all Tipper can do now is charge the gate in an effort to get him. Tipper had a good sleep but lots of that swallowing again and sticking her tongue out. I can hear her mouth sounds sticky, I wish to God I could figure this out!! I am making some stuffed peppers today. Maybe later this week I will take some to Delora she loves them. I miss seeing her when I walk, and think how pitiful her life has become. If God hears me her son will have his day reckoning. I am going to bath Tipper if it starts to rain and stays warm. I cannot stand a dog needing a bath, especially if they sleep in your bed!! Blessings
Patti
Hi Everyone:
Drum roll please!!! Tipper my rock star walked four times today!!!! Of course she is passed out at the moment, but she was loving it outside. I gave her a bath when we were done and now she is beautiful. She never smells like a dog, she always has a sweet smell about her, and every time I kiss her I say to myself don't ever forget that smell Patti. Toby is worn out. Four walks is a lot for him as he is little with short legs, but he persevered. He is also conked out. It is a good day when the dogs are worn out. I talked to Delora. All she did was cry and say why did my son go on vacation? I wish things were different for her, but there is nothing I can do to ease her mind. Tomorrow we go for blood pressure so I hope
there are no yapping dogs in there. Blessings
Patti
Go Tipper, Go!!
Yay for walks and good weather to walk in.
It's still cold and yucky up here, so the pugs are stuck inside for the most part.
4 walks!! that will mean a good night sleep i hope.
is the bp measuring reliable since tipper is always so stressed at the vets? is it really necessary to do this?
i can not remember reading about any other member of this forum doing this. it sounds like such a stressful mission every time for the both of you.
it is still summer overhere, very awkward for this time of the year! [20+C]
Hi Everyone:
Tipper had good blood pressure and weight. She has already done three walks today, and now is resting. She looks so nice after her bath. She has been making so many breathing noises at nite. I noticed before she starts with the tremors she has a change in her breathing pattern, it becomes deeper and more pronounced, then the tremors start. I hope she can continue to do as well as she
is right now so she can enjoy the summer. I have been living in my little bubble
again, where I just ignore the fact that she is sick. I have to do this at times to make it thru all of this. It's kind of a silent contentment that currently nothing is needing to be fixed. It's the " I can finally take a breath time." I still miss Grace really a lot, she would have had so much fun in the cat room this summer, with all the doors open to watch the birds. Blessings
Patti
Yay, good blood pressure! :) Wish she wouldn't have the night time issues but she does seem to be energetic enough during the day and happy when she gets her walks.
hugs
Sharlene and molly muffin
great thet tipper is in good shape despite the cushing disease.
and the walks will help her too.
how is her leg doing? no more trouble walking?
Sometimes if she walks a lot she will favor that leg, or not put her foot flat and use her toes more. When she does that we stop. After she rests it seems to be better. It seems she is wearing herself out which is good, as I think she sleeps better. I pray she continues to do this well. Blessings
Patti
Hi Everyone:
We are awaiting the arrival of the storm with damaging winds and hail. I gave Tipper a melatonin, and she has her dap collar on. God help us, I hope it works, as I don't need more issues to deal with. The dogs have had three walks and are done and resting. I like when they are worn out, that is good for them. I know Melatonin affects cortisol and I do not know Tipper's current number until next week, so I hope she would not go low from one dose. It's always something on the horizon to deal with!!! It is getting dark and they said there is possible tornado activity around us. Just what we need!! If this starts this early in the season, we are in trouble. If all else fails I will take her in the garage in the car as she seems to be secure in the car when it does this and we are out on the road. Blessings
Patti
Worn out doggies are loved doggies. Tornado activities! That's scary. I hope that they pass you by.
uh, you aren't thinking of going out and driving around in tornado weather are you??!!! I hope not.
Go in the car and sit I guess if you must but no going out in this mess!! Scared the bejebees out of me.
I hope the really bad stuff misses you completely and that the collar and melatonin help her.
hug
Sharlene and molly muffin
Hi Everyone:
Well the storm is postponed until tomorrow afternoon. Oh joy!! I will sit in the garage in my car with Tipper if I have to. She is going along ok right now except for the tremors. I have been researching the tremors as I am not liking this and looking for some type of help understanding what is going on when this happens and why. I will post when I find some relevant information. Even though he neurologist said just try not to pay attention, it is very hard when she sleeps up against me not to realize it is going on. In just feel it can't be good for her doing this every nite. It has been a steady rain for a few hours now. I just spoke to Delora. She is so confused it is terrible. She was not like this at home. She keeps telling me she is getting out and will be home. She is not eating much, and says the food is terrible, and starchy. I don't think she is going to make it too much longer, she is also declining physically. She keeps asking about her cat, she misses her. Toby gets clipped tomorrow yeah!!!!!! Last nite I forgot to give Toby his antibiotic from his dental and I gave it to him in his crate through the bars. Well Miss Tipper saw me and she thought he was getting some kind of treat that she did not get. She flew across the room and tried to get Toby try the bars, but was not successful. She can be be a little #@#* when she gets jealous.
I made sure to do it out of her sight tonite so no problems. I miss Grace, and think about her all the time. Blessings
Patti
hope the storms will skip your village tomorrow, and you and tipper will have a quiet day.
is toby afraid too?
do they still update you about grace?
maybe you can wear her out with an extra long walk before the storm begins?
it is still humid and warm overhere.
Hi Everyone:
Well Tipper has walked and was very jumpy listening to every noise and I know she can feel the pressure change and knows what is coming. She had a bad episode of tremors while starting to go to sleep so I am posting my research findings and want to get some feed back as to why your opinion is on the cause. These are the causes I found for tremors, I have been researching this for quite a while and narrowed it down to these things:
Damage to the cerebellum from disease. The cerebellum is at the base of the brain as is the pituitary.
Brain diseases can produce seizures that can manifest as persistent, but fine tremoring.
Tremoring releases stored glycogen/glucose to permit continued muscle contraction.
Can be caused by inflammation of the nerves.
Please review these and I would appreciate your opinion on which you feel could be the cause.
I hope you are reading this post Glynda as I would really like your input.
I also read that these tremors raise body temperature and can cause brain damage.
Thanks for taking the time to review this I need your input. Blessings
Patti
Hi Everyone:
We are having a hard down pour but no thunder yet. I am keeping an close eye on Tipper to make sure she does not take her dap collar off. From Tipper having so many allergies when she was a puppy, I cannot use any nylon on her, so it must also include the vinyl material this collar is made of because she is scratching herself silly with it on. She just keeps scratching at her neck? I may have to remove it. I came in my room with her so she would lay down. I think the Melatonin is making her tired. I am already sick of this and this is the first day!! Blessings
Patti
Hi Everyone:
Well Tipper kept scratching her neck so,I took the collar off. Within 15 minutes it started to thunder and I hurried and put it back on her. I am not sure if it kind of worked, or if it was because it was just a little bit of thunder, but she went to the closet and about a half an hour later I called her and she came our willingly. She also had a Melatonin in her. I hope this combo does as good when we get lots of
rolling thunder, but I have my doubt's. I am just thankful we made it thru today. This is going to be a real pain every time it rains with possible thunder. Then there is the little Toby boy who I picked up at the groomers and swore I had the wrong dog. I always take him there, and they know how I want him done. He shaved him with the clippers which I never do, and he looks like a badly bred poodle. I feel like it was a waste of money and I am really upset. I like this family that operates this but what the h??? I felt like asking the clipper what they were thinking when he comes there all the time and they know I do not want clippers but scissors. I guess the clippers are faster and easier and a good way to make a fast 50.00. I am sorry but for this little one horse town that is excessive to me to shave a dog in 15 minutes and make 50.00. If you are going to take your time and scissor cut him ok. I could have done a better job than this. My neighbor called this afternoon and said his daughter may have found a home for the cat. Oh great, I thought it would grow on him, but no it must not have. I need to make sure we can give her away, and I don't know how to do that??? Delora is very confused, and I am not contacting the son, I would rather drink bleach. Everything is all quiet now and all the rain has stopped. They said snow tonite, I thought I was hearing things! Blessings
Patti
Patti...
The Pituitary gland is not at the back base of the brain where the cerebellum is. The pituitary is at the front base below the cerebral cortex, pretty much in back of where the dogs eyes are.
Wow..how come the groomers did something different with Toby's cut? Did they say why they used a clipper on him since they never did that before.
It's funny, ever since Trixie's cortisol is more controlled she is less afraid of the loud rain. We had one big clap of thunder the other night and she didn't seem to react. It was just one clap though so I'll have to judge when we have more of a real thunder storm. She usually goes to hide when she hears pounding rain but she hasn't done that for awhile. Hope your storms are over for tonight.
I also thought your neighbor would've started to enjoy the company of the Delora's cat...well hopefully a good home is found for her by the daughter.
Hope Tipper and the rest of your gang all have a good night.
Barbara
snow again? that is not fair...
maybe dolora can meet with the people that want her cat, and give her permission. it still is her cat. maybe you can check those people first.
i hope it will work out that way.
i do work with a family with kids who seemed to be sick from "'a kids virus"'
and now i am bleehh!! hopefully it will be over tomorrow.
i am too old for that.....not a kid anymore....
hope you will have a dry night without thunder.
Patti, I would call the home where Delora is and ask if she can have the cat there or if you can bring it for a visit before they give it away.
I would say something about Toby's cut. You paid for it and didn't get the quality that you paid for. The family knows you and should make it right.
Hi Everyone:
It is very cold here but Tipper did walk with a coat on. There is snow coming down real fine. Tipper really had the tremors last nite. I am hoping someone seeing my post on the tremors gives me feedback on what they think the cause could be. I got an emai this morning from the people that have Gracie. They sent some pictures of her new bed, and the lady crocheted her a blanket. They are making a nice home for her, and think she is the best cat ever. I am happy for Gracie's sake, but I cry when viewing her picures, I miss her. I am going to try and walk Tipper again. I have to watch her with Toby, she does not like his hair cut and wants to go after him thru the gate. I never thought it would get this cold again. I will have to call Delora as she was upset that her son has not come for days now. I am making some pulled pork out of a pork shoulder and the dogs can smell it cooking, and both keep crying for some. I just cooked my own barbeque sauce to put on it. Blessings
Patti
Barbara:
The picture the surgeon gave me showing the pituitary in a dog is at the base of the brain. He does the operation thru the rear of the roof of the mouth which would be at the base of the brain. It is not near the cerebellum, but are you thinking of the location in people as that may be different?? We are having fine snow still, hope you do not get it! Blessings
Patti
it is at the front of the dog's brain and below the cerebral cortex which comes forward and kind of curls at the forehead area..below that is where the pituitary gland is. Pretty much located between the back of the throat and the eyes, so yes they would go up thru the roof of the mouth.
You had mentioned the cerebellum and pituitary being at the base of the brain in your post about tremors. The cerebellum being what we think of as the base of the brain...in back where the spinal column would descend, whereas the pituitary is in the front..that's all I was saying, the brain stem would separate the back from the front. It is actually the same location as in a human brain.
No snow here....sunny and beautiful, cool and breezy, a perfect spring day. Trixie had a long time off leash and I'm sure we'll be out again later. Just right for her...kind of cool the way she likes it. Hope the snow stops by you, maybe tomorrow will be better dog walking weather.
Barbara
Hi Patti,
I really am not sure about the tremoring, but one question, is her tremors less when her cortisol is higher?
I am thinking this might affect any inflammation of the nerves, if they are less when the cortisol is higher.
Tremors releasing glucose to induce continued tremors, possible. Does Tipper have any glucose spikes?
hugs
Sharlene and molly muffin
Sharlene:
I have not seen anything with glucose spikes, but her glucose on her CBC has been inching up.I will have to watch as I think her cortisol is lower now, she gets her next ACTH Wednesday. I thought maybe if the cortisol was lower it would make inflammation in the nerves?? This is very perplexing. I appreciate your help. Blessings
Patti
I don't think low cortisol is Make inflammation, but it might uncover inflammation, or not help to reduce it, just as it does in arthritis. A dog with arthritis, feels better with a big higher cortisol. Lower it and bham, they have a hard time getting around. It doesn't Cause the arthritis, it just no longer covers it, or even perhaps help in the reduction of any inflammation.
So, it's a bunch of theory thrown out and feel free to discard, but I'm all about the logic and common sense as that will often clarify issues for me, when I'm finding things perplexing.
hugs,
Sharlene and molly muffin
Hi Patti,
I was just thinking about this cat issue and I don't know that a home for it should be found without some kind of consultation with the family or Delora. What if they wanted the cat and to take it home and then accused you of stealing it or something like that? Just think it might be good to walk carefully with them.
hugs
Sharlene and molly muffin