TKers: Six threads under and still killin' time....

[whgrn]

LITC I am SOOOOO sorry about your Dad. What a shock that must be for all of you. It's so hard to see our parents' health failing. Y'all are in my prayers.

I cannot believe how big Walter is! My kids were barely bigger than that when I got them! DD was 19 pounds and 28 inches at 2 YEARS old! DS was 18 pounds and 27 inches at 18 months. So he is WAY ahead of them!

JO, sorry you've been under the weather. It sounds like what DD had right before Christmas, only lasted a day or so, but she was sick!

Well, I have my own sad news (which some of you have seen on FB already). I took the doggie to the eye doctor today and he confirmed that he is nearly blind. He believes he has SARDS (Sudden Aquired Retinal Degeneration Syndrome), and that he will be completely blind by the end of the weekend. This apparently happens over just a few days, and there is no treatment and no cure. It is not reversible. The weird thing is, many people whose dogs get this report that in the months before the blindness, the dogs are eating and drinking more, and gaining weight. This is EXACTLY what happened with Duke--he's gained almost 5 pounds since September, on his previously 12.8 pound frame!

So we are going on Wednesday for a test to confirm the diagnosis. Meanwhile, he is adapting fairly well to his new situation, but sticking VERY close to me. I guess I make him feel secure? I think once he settles in and gets used to it, we will get another dog to keep him company and sort of be his "guide dog".

When I told the kids DS just cried. He's really taking it hard. I would have expected that from DD instead, but she's handling it much better. When I told my Dad, he asked "what will you do, put him to sleep?" I said "WHAT?!?! No way!" He just totally doesn't get it. So NOT a dog person.

Well, off to herd the kids into bed and get myself ready too.

 

[D&DDisney]

Well, I have my own sad news (which some of you have seen on FB already). I took the doggie to the eye doctor today and he confirmed that he is nearly blind. He believes he has SARDS (Sudden Aquired Retinal Degeneration Syndrome), and that he will be completely blind by the end of the weekend. This apparently happens over just a few days, and there is no treatment and no cure. It is not reversible. The weird thing is, many people whose dogs get this report that in the months before the blindness, the dogs are eating and drinking more, and gaining weight. This is EXACTLY what happened with Duke--he's gained almost 5 pounds since September, on his previously 12.8 pound frame!

So we are going on Wednesday for a test to confirm the diagnosis. Meanwhile, he is adapting fairly well to his new situation, but sticking VERY close to me. I guess I make him feel secure? I think once he settles in and gets used to it, we will get another dog to keep him company and sort of be his "guide dog".

When I told the kids DS just cried. He's really taking it hard. I would have expected that from DD instead, but she's handling it much better. When I told my Dad, he asked "what will you do, put him to sleep?" I said "WHAT?!?! No way!" He just totally doesn't get it. So NOT a dog person.

Well, off to herd the kids into bed and get myself ready too.

So sorry to hear about Duke. Poor doggie.
I am always shocked at how many people respond to problems w/ dogs by "putting them to sleep". I just can't do that for the sake of convenience. Sometimes you just have to take the good with the bad as dogs age. As long as it isn't cost prohibitive, I will do everything I can for our dog cuz I just love her so much.
I like the idea of a helper/guide dog for him.

 

[whgrn]

Deb, when I told the kids about it, DS asked if it was going to be expensive. I said I didn't care. He asked what if it costs $10,000? I told him if need be we would cancel our cruise and their camp and not open the pool again, but Duke will get the care he needs. I think that made DS feel better. I told him Duke is part of the family, and we do what needs to be done.

Thankfully, his care will NOT cost $10,000!!!

Today I talked to an old friend from school who is a vet. He told me he's had several dogs with SARDS, and some have tried the experimental treatments, but without success. He also said his experience has only shown involvement of the eyes, not of the rest of the body (as one of the websites my BFF gave me was saying--it will slowly kill your dog as his body eats away at itself, etc.) He recommended I contact the veterinary clinic at the University of PA, which I will do, for a 2nd opinion. Hopefully they can see us soon. I told my BFF, if all 4 vets (our regular vet, my friend, the specialist we saw yesterday, and the vet at U of PA) agree that there's nothing to be done, I will NOT try any experimental things. If any of them say we should, I'll consider it. But my dog is NOT a guinea pig!

In other news, the girl who offered my Dad a kidney was tested and they found out that HER kidney function is less than optimal, which could mean she will one day be in the same boat he is in. Needless to say, she won't be donating a kidney to anyone. So, the search continues.

Not a good day medically for my family...

 

[spammypie]

Wendy,

I'm very sorry to hear about Duke and SARDs. We have had an experience with SARDs as well, and know many people who also have SARDs dogs.

One theory with SARDs is that SARDs is believed to be an auto-immune illness (there is another school of thought that SARDs is related to adrenal exhaustion), whereby Duke's body mistakenly attacks the retinal cells because it thinks th)at the retinal cells are foreign/harmful. This is due to some trigger causing a malfunction in the immune system.

The experimental treatment involves using human immunoglobulins in the form of an IV drip, or an intra-ocular injection. The human immunogloblulins help stop the canine auto-antibodies from attacking the retinal cells.

Many clinics can provide the intravenous treatment if they follow Iowa State University's (ISU) treatment protocol. However, only ISU performs the intra-ocular treatment.

Contrary to popular belief by veterinarians and veterinary ophthalmologists, SARDs does not just affect vision. SARDs falls under the general category of auto-immune illnesses, and in this particular case, the auto-immune response manifests with the loss of vision because the body attacks retinal cells.

Without immuno-suppressive therapy the body may later attack other system organs, such as the kidneys and liver. In other cases, SARDs has been associated with dangerously high blood pressure, exceeding 240 systolic. Personally, our dog has experienced *all* of the problems that I just described.

There's more information available at SARDSAwareness.org. There you can read about our experience with the experimental treatment and his post treatment care. You can also find a link to a Yahoo SARDSDogs group.

I hope Duke has a speedy recovery and adjusts well.

Jay

Deb, when I told the kids about it, DS asked if it was going to be expensive. I said I didn't care. He asked what if it costs $10,000? I told him if need be we would cancel our cruise and their camp and not open the pool again, but Duke will get the care he needs. I think that made DS feel better. I told him Duke is part of the family, and we do what needs to be done.

Thankfully, his care will NOT cost $10,000!!!

Today I talked to an old friend from school who is a vet. He told me he's had several dogs with SARDS, and some have tried the experimental treatments, but without success. He also said his experience has only shown involvement of the eyes, not of the rest of the body (as one of the websites my BFF gave me was saying--it will slowly kill your dog as his body eats away at itself, etc.) He recommended I contact the veterinary clinic at the University of PA, which I will do, for a 2nd opinion. Hopefully they can see us soon. I told my BFF, if all 4 vets (our regular vet, my friend, the specialist we saw yesterday, and the vet at U of PA) agree that there's nothing to be done, I will NOT try any experimental things. If any of them say we should, I'll consider it. But my dog is NOT a guinea pig!

In other news, the girl who offered my Dad a kidney was tested and they found out that HER kidney function is less than optimal, which could mean she will one day be in the same boat he is in. Needless to say, she won't be donating a kidney to anyone. So, the search continues.

Not a good day medically for my family...

 

[DL55]

whgrn What a lousy day for you. Hope there will be better news soon.
Pikester Looks like someone found new smilies. Love them.

Woke up to 18 degrees. It barely made it to 32 yesterday. I'm not meant for cold weather. I don't know how people can stand it. I bet there are lots of unhappy people in Florida right now.

 

[whgrn]

Thanks Spammypie. I will check out that website.

 

[MagiKitty]

Spammypie, thanks so much for your thoughtful and helpful advice to our dear Wendy!

Wendy, you're doing the right thing. Getting all your options and deciding for yourself what is best for you and your family. SO so sorry to hear about the potential donor kidney....but its a blessing for her to find out early that she may have some issues to deal with. Wow, little miracles in unexpected ways. I hope everyone is doing well.

Hee hee, Pikester send me a thoughtful note on FB. Apparently I"ve been quiet. Does that happen? I'm definitely around, not nearly as chatty as I've been in the past, but its all my closet's fault! I'd say I'm about 85% done at this point.

Shoes, its always shoes. I'm going through them right now (or I"m supposed to be). I'm wearing a different pair for about 30 minutes and deciding whether is a keeper or a donor. Right now I have these atrocious platform heels on, but they are so comfy! And it makes me taller! But I think they're man repellers. I'll be donating them.....

 

[MagiKitty]

DL55, it was 17 here! Its fascinating and depressing that such frigid weather has blanketed the entire country. I mean, we're at opposite ends of the country and we have the same temp readings! When will it ever stop?

 

[JOCAmom]

I, too, can't believe how cold it has been everywhere. It's 16 here right now. I don't even want to leave the house at all. Thank goodness that DD13 is old enough to babysit for a little when DH and I have to run out. I know that the little ones would be complaining the whole time if we took them out somewhere.

MK, I'm embarrassed to say thing but I think I only have 6 pairs of shoes. 3 pairs of sneaker, 1 pair of dressy sandals, 1 pair of small heels and a pair of croc sandals. Somehow I am missing the shoe gene.

Wendy, you do what you feel is right in your heart. We have a dog even though I am not a dog person. But if something was wrong with her, I would do everything possible for her. My kids love her and that is enough for me to make sure she gets the best possible care she can.

spammypie, thank you for your words of experience for Wendy. I hope you decide to stick around.

 

[mariezp]

Evening ladies! Been kind of a lazy day. I did finally kick the Christmas tree out the front door. And, we did get out and go to the movies. The guys went and saw Sherlock Holmes while DD and I watched the Chipmunk Sqeakquel. Ya know it had to have been pretty corny when the funniest part of the movie revolves around someone farting. I cannot believe they used the same bad guy again. He was soooo bad and not in a good way.
Many of you are in warmer places than we have been this week! Can you believe that? It got down to 7 degrees last night! It was 14 this morning. Really heating up now.... we are up to 23! As DH would say.... dang global warming!
I got some crazy news this afternoon. I had not heard from my friend who cleans my house since Christmas so I thought I would call to check up on her. I never imagined what she had been doing. It seems that her son accidentally shot his girlfriend on Christmas Eve. Thankfully she is going to be okay as the bullet went straight through her shoulder and missed any major organs. I think she said he was cleaning the gun and supposedly the safety messed up. Anyway, my friend has been looking after the girlfriend as well as tending to her son who must have been horrified at what he did.
My DH has a bout a gazillion guns cause ya know we live in Texas so it is apparently like this mandatory thing. I myself am scared of them. Anyway, so I tell him and he laughs because he said it sounded like something stupid my friend's son would do cause he thinks he is not all that bright. I am like WHATEVER! Just make sure you talk to our son and make double sure he understands to always make sure safety comes first and that accidents can happen. Since he seems to think they are already plenty careful I decided to go ahead and tell my son to please be extra careful and he frigin rolls his eyes at me. I live with a couple of invincible rednecks!!!

Pikester, all you animal smilies were very cute.
My critters were being very cute the last couple days. My kitty, Prissy, has taken up reading DS's books.

Our puppy dog, Tess, found a cuddly place to take a nap among all DD's toys.

Wendy, I will continue to pray for your father to find a new liver. I guess this last one was just not the one he was meant to have.
I hope you are able to come up with some good ways to make things easier on your poor doggie. It sounds like a lot of people are giving you plenty of ideas.

Kitty, I am so proud of you for taking on that closet..... and still at it too! Keep this up and you may inspire me to take on my closet .........NAh!

 

[Pikester]

Always check and recheck to make sure the gun is not loaded before you clean it. Don't forget to check the chamber.

 

[MagiKitty]

Morning ladies! I hope your Sunday finds you at ease and well rested...

Marie...your animals are so cute! Mine love it when I sort my laundry...everyone finds a pile and plays peekaboo...

I have very limited experience with guns, but I do hope that DS does take your advice seriously. Its all too easy to take things for granted and get careless. That being said, I'm sure he's quite the responsible young man, and your advice is just because you love him so much.

That's quite horrific to hear about your friend's situation...and I can only imagine the guilt the son is feeling. And here's to a quicky recovery for the girlfriend!

I can't believe I'm still at the closet thing! But I'm so so close to having my dream closet back, I just have to push on. Also, my donating my gently used items really make me feel good that I'm helping somebody else out and I hope it brings them some luck in their future.

JOCA....seriously, I am so impressed. I wish I didn't have the shoe gene. ok, go ahead and say it...I got the Imelda Marcos gene (I am Filipino.....)! I really love to have matching shoes. Not necessarily matching my purse (although that is nice) but I do love a pair of funky colored shoes. You'd think I was an athlete with all my colored sneakers!

 

[MagiKitty]

Oh, I wanted to say too that there's a thread on the budget board about finding hotels near Hershey. I'm watching it and taking notes!

 

[Pikester]

Thanks Magi, I went and checked it out!

 

[DL55]

Always check and recheck to make sure the gun is not loaded before you clean it. Don't forget to check the chamber.

Pikester beat me with this advice.

MagiKitty maybe if you did a family tree you'd find out you were related to Imelda. DH cleaned out his side of the closet. Of course now I feel like I have to also. No shoe gene here either. Just 1 pair hiking boots, 2 sneakers, 2 sandals, 3 fancy shoes (1 is a little small but I love 'em) and 1 pair of adult looking loafers. I did clean off one of my desks. No flat surface is safe from me (although I try not to leave things on the floor...don't want trails )

 

[MagiKitty]

I have a secret: I LOVE Imelda! Not the fact that she was a crook and imposed martial law on my people, but the woman. She is CRAZY. There's a great documentary on her...and she is so far off the insanity pier! I've seen her in person, she's still amazingly gorgeous considering her age. We were having coffee at a hotel, and she came walking down the grand staircase with her entourage and GEORGE HAMILTON! He is an unholy shade of orange, but exudes sex appeal.

I actually have a tote bag with Imelda's face on it. And I have a tee shirt that I wear to Filipino events that says "I rock sepatos like Imelda Marcos". (for those of you who don't know, sepatos is the word for shoes in Filipino/Spanish).

Good for your DH for tackling the closet, and good for you for getting the desk done! I figure since I'm stuck at home at night since its so frigid out, I may as well put it to good use....

Pikester, I want to Gettysburg too! Do you have a tentative schedule of when to go to the park versus Gettysburg? Where'd you get the info on the double decker tour?

 

[Pikester]

Pikester, I want to Gettysburg too! Do you have a tentative schedule of when to go to the park versus Gettysburg? Where'd you get the info on the double decker tour?

First, I've got to say that I checked out few of the hotels that were mentioned on the budget board and they were not in MY budget! I did look at a Mainstay suites that was $95 a night so that one wasn't too bad but the rest were well over $100 and close to $200 which I just can't do.

I ordered myself a "2010 official visitors guide to Gettysburg" which I recieved on Friday and have been looking through. Here is a link to the doubledecker bus tours http://gettysburgbattlefieldtours.com/ They have bus tours and a night time haunted tour that I'm looking into too. I also found a site listed that offers discounts and coupons. http://www.bestofgettysburg.com/index.asp Not sure if they'll offer any coupons or discounts that I'll want to use but I'm keeping an eye out.

Right now DH is looking into doing Hershey for two days but either Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday as he's read that those are the least busy days. He's thinking of doing the "buy your ticket after a certain time the night before for the next day" which allows you to tour the park in the evening and then have the whole next day too. We are thinking of doing this twice Monday evening to Tuesday and then Wednesday evening to Thursday. Monday and Wednesday during the day would be a do something else day. But, since I'm not sure how the tours would fit in with that or how much those tickets cost compared to a 2day ticket it's still up in the air. Right now I'm just waiting for the ticket prices to come out and I'm trying to find a hotel.

 

[MagiKitty]

Pikester, I don't really mind having to drive a little to get to the parks if I can save some money too...I'll have to check out those links too.

 

[whgrn]

Pikester and MK, I've always wanted to go to Gettysburg, so hopefully we can join y'all for that part. And the most likely day for us to be able to go to HersheyPark is Thursday. If school goes later than that, we'll just be out of luck, but I'm hoping for no more snow days!

It would seem that Duke is now totally blind. He can't seem to figure out what to do with his toys when I give him one, and he's walked right into the sliding glass door when I went to let him out. Plus DS said he couldn't find his doggie door to come back inside. Poor baby. It just breaks my heart to see him like this.

Well, apparently I am now planning a Sweet 16 party. DD has announced that yes, she DOES want a party, having had such an awesome time at the one we went to last night. I was standing there watching her dance and hang out with her friends, and I barely recognized the beautiful young woman she has become! I'll have to post some pictures later. She really liked the DJ, so we will try to hire him. NO clues on locations, but she's already figured out who she wants to light her candles, and is thinking of the songs to play for each one. I never in a million years thought I'd see the day she WANTED a dress-up party, but she does. She even told me she wants a long dress! WOW! I think she really enjoyed the reaction she got from all her friends and teachers and coaches when they saw her dressed up last night. So, at least this gives me something GOOD to think about in the midst of all our crises!

Tomorrow we have HS orientation for her. Not sure which one of us is more excited! We will have a tour of the high school, sit in on the class (and get to see her friends again!), and have a meeting to discuss plans for next year. I cannot believe my baby girl is getting ready for high school!!

 

[MagiKitty]

Aww, Wendy, your little girl is becoming a young woman. How exciting! Its so great to be on here and "watch" everyone's children reach their milestones...

Poor Duke! It must be so difficult for him to figure out what's going on...but he knows he's loved and this is just a period of adjustment. He's a tough little guy!

Pikester, now there's a thread of where to eat in Hershey! Let's just let everyone else do the planning for us....

My (ex) husband David Cook is on Home Makeover tonight. We haven't been getting along lately, namely he hasn't been anywhere nearby that I can stalk him. But he's still so darn cute! And there's a teaser commercial of him in a tee shirt doing construction work....yum!

I also saw a commercial on Food Network for the newest Iron Chef--Chef Garces! I met him at the Food and Wine festival in September. He was so nice and he has a few restaurants in the Philly area I'd like to eat at someday. At the time, he had finished filming the competition and knew he was the winner, but he wasn't allowed to say anything. I'm happy for him, he totally deserved it.