Sudokuaholics Anonymous 11

Outside of a dog, a book is a man's best friend. Inside of a dog it's too dark to read.
Groucho Marx


Well, Art is Art, isn't it? Still, on the other hand, water is water. And east is east and west is west and if you take cranberries and stew them like applesauce they taste much more like prunes than rhubarb does. Now you tell me what you know.
Groucho Marx

Morning all
Heidi, I hope that pain can be eased for you. Constant pain can sent a person crazy. Fingers crossed for you.
I must look into those bracelets. I haven't had a fall (fingers crossed) and I don't want to.

Good TOPP Heidi!

Midge, yes, my daughter is still here. It was supposed to be only for 6 weeks but her job with the state government which was on contract was reduced to part time so she has little chance of securing a home loan. She is trying to get full time employment but that is hampered by the fact that she and 2 of her cousins are going to Greece in 10th August to visit the island where my grandfather came from (as well as Athens, Santorini and Mykonos). My sister and I and 2 cousins went there in the 90's. It's lovely that the next generation is now doing it.
And she's enjoying living here with her Mum. She's reverted to teenage mode. Comes into the house, straight to her room, is secretive, doesn't help unless specifically asked. She's got away with it so far because it was only supposed to be for 6 weeks and I was secretly happy to have her home.
It is now wearing thin!

Col's visit to the opthalmologist did not produce the desired outcome. But nothing bad either. Still another laser procedure, there is still something growing there. Back on 21st August for that, then on 8th September for follow-up and hopefully arrangements for the lens insertion will be made. They took a lot of measurements in preparation for it yesterday. Promising, at least.

At least there is progress being made. That is a good thing, medically.

Hi, Everyone! It looks like I have a lot of posts to read!

Heidi, it's good that they don't think your shoulder problem is skeletal. Of course, that means they can't really 'see' what's going on. I hope your appointment will yield some answers and suggestions for rehab! More importantly, I hope they can find a way to reduce the pain you've been dealing with!

Midge, your similar injury when you had little children must have made everything VERY difficult! I'm thinking of picking up and carrying little ones and all the day in and day out activities necessary to take care of so many very young children! Luckily, it sounds like the healing process was quick!

Sounds like a lot of upheaval at your house, Midge. All that sorting, arranging, re-arranging, re-purposing will keep everyone busy for a while. I hope everyone pitches in to help. I think you made a good decision to stay and guard your treasures and important things. You mentioned a walker, which reminded me that hubby absolutely HAD to get his Mom's walker out of the house, so donated it to the local 'Nurse's Closet.' That meant someone could borrow and use it, but that meant we had to pay for one when he needed it while recovering after surgery and a long hospital stay. Good luck with all of the work in preparing for your S to move back home for a while.

Suzy, that's funny that Alie's BF had a similar temperament to Jasper. Out of curiosity, is he an only child? It reminds me of some members of our extended family.

Heidi, fingers crossed that the appointment with the orthopedic specialist goes well tomorrow and they can find something to help you deal with the pain! Are you going to let them know that you have expeience with pain and are probably dealing with much more than their average patient deals with?

Great TOPP, Heidi! The wisdom of Groucho!

Can, your description of D's behavior since moving in certainly sounds like a teenager. It's interesting how we fall back into old patterns when returned to a similar situation. I hope she and her cousins enjoy visiting Greece and finding their roots. Here's hoping she'll be able to find a good job when she returns home!

Cyn, Col's ophthalmologist appointment sounds essentially positive! I hope the appointment on Aug. 21 goes as well or better and the Sept. follow-up will include arrangements and planning for the lens insertion! Lots of measurements sounds like a positive move!

Thinking of everyone and sending positive thoughts, healing energy, prayers, {{{{{HUGS}}}}}, and

I was talking to my Vet, and he believes that my problem is a torn rotator cuff.... which probably means surgery. I'll find out more in another 10 hours.

Julie, Alie’s bf has an older sister. I say older but from the stories I hear she acts about 14. She is babied and allowed to get away with murder. I’ve decided that’s a weird expression. Example, if bf leaves a dish in the drying rack instead of immediately putting it away he gets yelled at for an hour, Alie has witnessed this. Meanwhile his older sis leaves used lady products in bathroom drawers with no consequences. They bought her a car which mysteriously does not exist anymore, though nobody talks about it. Bf doesn’t know what happened to it. He had to buy his own car.

Back from seeing the orthopedic surgeon. It's definitely a Rotator Cuff tear. He gave me an injection into the shoulder and sent me to PT with strict orders that I'm to do NOTHING that hurts. I go back to him in 2 months to re-evaluate whether I'll need surgery.

2 months of doing nothing that hurts is going to be horrible! Hugs!

I agree Suzy! That's easier said than done!
Col had that portacath inserted into the front of his right shoulder and he is not allowed to lift his arm up any higher than the shoulder. Watching him put on a shirt is like watching a contortionist.
Good luck Heidi! I hope the pain eases.

Heidi, it seems you have a great vet - first to diagnose your shoulder problem as a rotator cuff tear. Will the injection help reduce the pain - or speed the recovery? Do the best you can to follow doctor's orders. I really hope you can find a way to avoid doing anything that hurts! Now may be the time to call in help from some of the people you have helped. Do any responsible teens live anywhere near who could help with some of the heavy lifting? You may need to become VERY creative to get things done. Since Cyn mentioned Col's problems getting dressed, if you need to restrict movement for at least 2 months, it might pay to do an internet search for accessible clothing (front fastening bra, no shirts that need to be pulled over your head, etc.)

Suzy, it's interesting how differently Alie's BF's family treats him and his older sister. No wonder he has the demeanor of a grouchy old man. Seems as if the sister can do no wrong and he can do no right. That's a horrible way to live.

Cyn, I'm glad Col's portacath has been inserted. Is he right-handed? (Just wondering if it's place on the same side as his dominant hand.) Will he let you help him get dressed? I hope things may get easier for him in the coming days and weeks!

I had my last cello lesson of the summer. My teacher would like to restart lessons the middle of August. So, I have a LOT of work to do in the meantime. She has started teaching me Vivaldi's Concerto in G Minor for 2 cellos. Here's a youtube (at a SLOW tempo, they point out, but I certainly won't be able to play it that fast for quite a while).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-7ucw9Zm0A4

I need to make some yellow Jello/gelatin for my meals for tomorrow.

Thinking of everyone and sending {{{{{HUGS}}}}}, healing energy, positive thoughts, prayers, and

I can't get a bra on without crying. There are so many things I cannot do, and it's frustrating.

I stopped at the animal shelter near the orthopedic surgeon's office and adopted a nrew dog. She's a 6 month old Catahoula. VERY intelligent. She was instantly accepted by the collies and made herself at home right away. I gave her a choice of many names and she decided that she wants to be called Candy. I have a feeling that she'll help fill the gaping wound that Heidi left in my heart.

A new dog always warms the heart, Heidi! I hope Candy helps heal that wound. When I first met Colin and then his family, his parents had a dog called Candy. She was loved by everyone for many years before she passed away.

Mike, my Vet, was really impressed by her. He showed up here just 2 hours after Candy arrived, and he couldn't believe how comfortable, friendly and self assured she was. She acted like she'd been here all her life. She greeted him like an old friend, and lounged around calmly with the collies. Yet she's an alert wtchdog. No silly antics. No fear of anything. She's already met the cattle thru' the fence and has gotten up close and personal with the alpacas... touching noses with each of them. She comes instantly when called. And her housebreaking is impeccable. And when I laid on my bed to rest, she joined me and snuggled in the same spot where Heidi snuggled. I got teary-eyed.

You've found a soulmate, Heidi!!

We're off in half an hour for Chemo, Day 1. He had a panic attack last night and wanted to back out of it. I calmed him down and he seems okay so far this morning.
Will report back later today or in the morning.

Feeling for Colin but after his first few sessions he will realise not so bad. Hard to get your head around needing invasion like that but all for having a future.
Your new puppy sounds lovely Heidi - may she fill another gap in your life. Never seen one of these dogs and looked her up - gorgeous. Hope you can rest that shoulder as much as possible and the pain goes away.
Suzy - hope you are still enjoying the peace and quiet. How are your fur babies going? Had to laugh when I read about Alie's bf - grumpy now, how bad in 10 years time?
Cheers to all.

Just dropping by to say Hello and Good Night. No time to read or comment, as I have a very early alarm tomorrow.

Sending healing energy, prayers, , {{{{{HUGS}}}}}, and positive thoughts for all!

Here is some information on the Catahoula Leopard Dog:
https://www.cuteness.com/article/catahoula-dog
Candy is one of the rare solid colored ones, which is why the shelter didn't ID her as a Catahoula. She's amber red with white paws, chest and a white streak above the nose. But she has the intelligence, conformation, personality (except she's friendlier than the average Catahoula), webbed feet and cracked eyes. Her eyes had the people in the shelter very confused. They'd never seen anything like them. But they give her away as a Catahoula. There is no other solid colored dog that has cracked eyes. Cracked eyes are part one color and part another. Candy's eyes are part pale blue and part light brown. She weighs a bit over 40 lbs right now, and is the minimum 20' height at the shoulder. Mike believes she should get to about 60 lbs as an adult. He's seen a lot of Catahoulas and is very familiar with the breed.

The funny thing is that my favorite aunt recently got a Catahoula Leopard Dog, too.

Ooo Heidi a new dog! Yay! I read the link. What is her job going to be? Will you train her to herd the cattle?

Cyn, how’s Col? From the people I know, early treatments don’t seem to cause really bad reactions. I hope they weren’t playing it down and Col is fine tonight

Hi all!
Yes, Col is fine so far. The only trouble is dealing with the pump. Even though it's not huge, he has to work out the best way to dress and undress, and to sleep - had trouble working out the best place to put it while he slept. Considering he is still asleep, he must have had a good night. Some reactions may show up today. We have been given a diary and any medications he might need including for nausea, they dosed him up with nausea medication via the pump yesterday. The Unit was nice, comfortable and friendly. People kept coming around with food and drink. The 4.5 hours went quickly.
Sad to see that the unit was using every cubicle (about 24 I think) with new people coming in soon after the previous ones had gone.

Good Evening, Everyone!

I have had a bit of time on the computer today, so decided to look up adaptive clothing. Here are a couple of sites I found.

https://www.silverts.com/womens-clothing/

https://www.verywellhealth.com/fashionable-ad aptive-clothing-1094363 (list of several sites)

Heidi, I enjoyed reading about the catahoula dog. I had heard of them through Big Fluffy Dog Rescue. D's family fostered a couple of dogs for them (not catahoulas). It seems surprising that Candy has adapted so quickly, made friends with the other 4-legged family, and has bonded so quickly with you, even accepting the vet's presence. Have you decided what her job or jobs will be? How did she let you know that she wanted to be called Candy? I'm SO excited for you. It seems like she has already made herself a part of your family! Congratulations on adopting her! She seems like a perfect fit!

Cyn, I'm so glad to see that in spite of his previous panic, Col survived his first day of chemo! If he has trouble dressing with the pump, maybe some sort of adaptive clothing would be helpful for him, too. I hope there are few, if any, reactions today to his chemo! It sounds like they tried to think of everything he might need initially. The diary is a really good idea. I don't know if he'll want to use it, but it may be very worthwhile, even if you need to make the entries. I imagine it was reassuring to Col that people were warm and friendly and the unit was nice and comfortable (not dark and depressing)!

I need to run. Hubby just brought me his wood turning smock, which he washed this evening. He had closed the zipper, and it has split all the way to within the very top, so my job is to encourage it to close so he can unzip it completely. It is not being cooperative. He's now watching TV, but I prefer to work on it, as I can only imagine what would happen due to his lack of patience.

Sending everyone good vibes, healing energy, positive thoughts, {{{{{HUGS}}}}}, , and prayers. Have a fantastic weekend!

Candy's job will be my companion (she's already good at that, and I hope to have her help working cattle. She's really young still, and it may take a while for some of her instincts and abilities to kick in. For instance, from what I read, Catahoulas don't become really protective of their owner until they are 2 years old. Candy is only 6 months old.

I leave for physical therapy in 1 1/2 hours. It will be interessting to see what pain-free plan they have for me. I've never been thru' pain-free PT. Always before, they've seemed like torture chambers with the motto ''no pain, no gain''.

How often will Col be going thru' his Chemo sessions, CynB? When is the next one?

Heidi, this is Cyn's response to a question on TOS about Col's treatments: He will have chemo 'every 2 weeks x 11 more treatments = finish 2 January 2020. Today’s is going to be 4.5 hours. Not sure if it will be the same every time. There was some setting up to do.'

Heidi, I think you may have found a very special dog at the rescue! Candy sounds wonderful! Considering how well she has bonded with you already, she's likely to be a wonderful companion dog. She's likely to be smart enough to learn to help you work the cattle as she gets older.

Heidi, I hope the pain-free PT went very well today. With all the months of pain you have endured, you deserve something pain-free, or as close as possible to it!

The physical therapist where hubby and I go has been outstanding! He's very gentle, even when working a muscle beyond its comfort zone. Today he told me his aim is to get the muscle to a comfortable spot for 10 or 15 seconds, then stretch beyond that for 5 seconds and repeat, gradually increasing the range of motion. This is part of the one-on-one at the end of the session. We begin in the 'gym' with whatever activities/exercises he assigns and supervises, then go to the treatment room for electrical stimulation and heat, followed by the one-on-one massage and/or stretch.

Cyn, I hope Col has had a really good day and is beginning to be reassured about what lies ahead!

Thinking of everyone and sending many warm {{{{{HUGS}}}}}, positive thoughts, , healing energy, and prayers!

Here's an item for the no-pain-no-gainers to mull over:

https://www.sciencealert.com/1-000-squat-challenge-sends-teens-to-intensive-care-with-potentiall y-fatal-syndrome

As always, check for spaces in the link.

Pain is your body's way of telling you that something is seriously wrong. Going through pain as a part of therapy sounds massively stupid to me. I have a series of 5 low impact exercises to do every day, designed to losen up the muscles but not to re-injure them while the tear is healing. So pain = no gain, and no pain = gain. My next session is Monday, then Wednesday.


I'm now insane. I decided I had to rescue another dog from the shelter today. We don't have the bond that I have with Candy, but this poor fellow had been in the shelter for 2 months, was suffering from major depression and is a walking skeleton. He needs me. He's a young (1-2 year old) Redbone Coonhound... possibly a cross.... and I named him Rufus for his deep rich red color. He's fine with the name. He is enjoying the freedom of a 1 1/2 acre fenced in yard (with a fish pond that he's gone into several times already) and freedom to come and go into the house at will, as well as free-choice food and water. He's seen the cattle and alpacas and is totally uninterested in them. He hasn't been neutered yet and he's trying to vie for dominance with the other dogs, as well as marking his territory everywhere. Which is a pain in the a$$ with all the clean up. Fortunately, none of my girls will be in heat for at least another 4 months, and Rufus will be neutered next week. It will take him some time to settle in (unlike Candy who acts like she's lived here all her life) but I have patience to give him that time. he's the first non-herding breed I've ever owned with the exception of my first dog: a unique Afghan Hound rescue that I got in Costa Rica when I was 18. I really like the idea of having a few new dogs that my idiot ex-husband doesn't know. He knows my collies and knows that he can safely enter my home if I'm not here. But if he sees some dogs he doesn't know, he'll stay away, since he's actually afraid of animals. I'm thinking of adopting a third rescue once Rufus settles in well enough for the jealousy to ease up. I don't know if Rufus will ever be a good watch dog, since he's very shy with people and appears to have been badly abused. One strange thing happened as we were leaving the animal shelter after my Physical Therapy. A family walked in the door there. A family with 2 small-ish children. Rufus took one look at those children and went into a massive panic. It took 3 of us to get him past those kids and out the door. Once the kids were out of sight, he relaxed. Candy is already a good watchdog and has the deepest, loudest baying voice I've ever heard.... something out of The Hound Of The Baskervilles. Catahoulas are fearless baying herders. They use their big voices to help intimidate the wild hogs and cattle that they were bred to catch and herd. The literature I've read says that once Catahoulas turn 2 years old, they become VERY protective of their owners..... IF they respect them.

Col survived his first session. He got the pump off this morning, that was an easy 15 minutes. They set it to deliver all the medication by the time of the appointment to disconnect. His beeper that it was done went off about 2 minutes before we got to the Unit. Great timing!
He's feeling okay still, first side effect noticed, he has some gastric reflux. Not too bad so far. Otherwise all went well.

It sounds good, CynB.

Rufus is NOT working out. He's developed a hatred for Candy and attacks her on sight. Right now he's tied up under a tree until i can take him back to the shelter. I won't let him traumatize her any more. He needs to be an only dog.

He has been returned to the shelter and Candy is back to her darling fun self. THAT was a bit of a disaster.

It's late, so I'll need to read and comment tomorrow.

Sending healing energy, positive thoughts, prayers, , and {{{{{HUGS}}}}} for all! Good Night!

Oh Heidi, I’m sad for candy and for Rufus. He’s obviously been mistreated. But, you’re right, he needs to go to a home where he can learn to trust again, and dogs seem to be part of his issues. I have to admit to shaking my head and grinning that a man afraid of animals chose a career involving animals...

He did it because his father did it. He was incapable of any original or independent thought. He even had the same post-grad major professor at the same university and did the exact same major thesis.

I felt so bad returning Rufus, but I have a previous commitment to my Collies and Candy. The Collies were VERY upset with him and in constant snarl mode to fend him off, while Candy became terrified. They're all back to their sweet, happy selves again. Candy fit right in with the Collies and plays with Katy (who's eternal puppy). Maybe they understand each other, all being Herding breeds. Rufus was NOT ''one of them''.

Tomorrow is my next Therapy session.... at 2:30 pm.

I never would have guessed that Collies were a ''herding'' breed.

Believe it or not, I believe I have tracked down Candy's breeder. I'm 95% sure. He had a litter of regsitered Catahoula Leopard Dogs back on January 12, which is within the age range that Mike the Vet thinks she is. The whole litter is solids... no merles... in either red or black, half with the same white paws and white chests that Candy has. The solid reds are one of the rarest of the Catahoula colors. The pictures that I've seen of some of the puppies in that litter are the spitting image of Candy. He still has 3 littermates for sale, as well as puppies from a May 10th litter. I'm going to call him tomorrow and see if Candy fits the description of one of the pups from that litter. If she is one of his, he should be glad that she's been rescued from an animal shelter and now has a good home. I might like to get another puppy from him as well, either a litter sister to Candy or one of the younger puppies. There were a couple of merle puppies in the younger litter, but I'd be happy with any healthy female, as long as we bond. With my luck, the merles have already been sold anyways.

Oh yeah. ... this breeder is about an hour and a half drive from me. That's do-able.

Cyn, I'm so glad to read how well Col's first treatment went! The timing certainly seemed to be extremely accurate! It would be awful if it went off an hour early! I hope he doesn't have any more side effects!

Saltie, that 1,000-squat challenge sounds ridiculous. Seems like more warnings should be posted with it. Those young women are fortunate that they got medical treatment quickly.

Heidi, what a shame that Rufus couldn't deal with another dog. His reaction to the children he saw, and then to Candy make you wonder what his previous life might have been like. You did the absolutely right thing to take him back to the shelter. I hope the shelter personnel will be very careful in placing him in another home! What a relief to hear that Candy is OK! It's also good to know that the collies are back to their normal personalities. Like DOrA, I was not aware that collies are a herding breed.

I agree with Suzy; it seems so unlikely that someone who is afraid of animals chose to become a vet. My guess is that he tried to avoid as much actual contact with them as possible.

Heidi, that is amazing that you may have found Candy's breeder. Don't breeders usually request that a dog be returned if the purchaser no longer wants it? If you're right, I would think that the breeder would be thrilled to know that Candy is no longer in a shelter but in a loving home! He would probably be glad for another of his dogs to be as lucky! I can't wait to hear how this works out.

Sending lots of {{{{{HUGS}}}}}, healing energy, , positive thoughts and prayers for everyone!

I-ex-H is NOT a Vet. He's a veterinary parasitologist. That means he's a doctor of Veterinary Science, not a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine. He's a research scientist, only, and not allowed to practice as a Veterinarian. But he's so deluded (unable to tell himself from his father, who WAS a Vet.... in both meanings) that he HAS told people that he IS a Vet, and told his customers to bring their sick goats on to our property for him to diagnose and treat!! That's illegal !!! I would promptly kick them off the property and tell them to go to a real, licenced Vet. I did NOT want strangers bringing sick animals on to my farm. Also, his father served honorably in WWII. IH wa too much of a coward to serve his country in any capacity whatsoever. He got out of the Vietnam draft by leaving the country and travelling throughout Central and South America, then claiming a medical condition... which never bothered him again.

Spoke to the man and sent him pictures of Candy. He admired her effusively, but doesn't remember having one with her EXACT same markings. I will be talking to him again tonight about visiting his place and picking out a puppy. Candy will love to have another puppy to play with, one with a similar disposition.
Older puppies: https://www.hoobly.com/p/axyEF
Younger puppies: https://www.hoobly.com/p/3E3XN