Share Day

Just when I thought I was getting my blogging moxie together, real-life decided to throw me some curves. To begin with, I got the flu. I was so cheery in my last post, thinking I was on the mend and then the flu hit both Axl and me like a ton of bricks.

After the flu dissipated, I made an appointment to see the-other-kind-of-doctor because I suspected something was off. Turns out, I was correct:

Now, before you get excited, that's not a bun in my oven. That dark, egg-shaped spot is a four centimeter wide cyst hugging on my left ovary. Benign ovarian cysts are common among women my age and, even though it unnerves me, it does not look like anything serious to my doctor. We just have to watch it to see if it shrinks. If it does, we're all good. If it doesn't, I have to have surgery to have it removed so Axl and I can eventually have little meteors.

     While we're on the topic of scary stuff, I think I might have mentioned on here that I developed an irrational fear of flying after a ten year absence from soaring the friendly skies? Well, I am taking steps to alleviate that. United Airlines, along with the Colorado 99s, an organization of women pilots, offers an eight-week course here called Flight without Fear. The course is designed to systematically desensitize and educate you about flying. At the end of the eight weeks, you take a graduation flight with your class. I'm still scared but, now, I'm kind of excited too. I'd like to beat this so Axl and I can travel to see our families and go on some proper vacations. I hear Hawaii is nice...

This last bit is on the sad side so, if I haven't thoroughly bummed you out with my troubles, now is the time to click elsewhere. It turns out my female cat, Ashen, is struggling to stay with us.  In 2009, Ashen was diagnosed with chronic renal failure. The causes of chronic renal failure in pets differ depending on who you talk to but, from what I have read, it is possible that it is caused by the FVRCP vaccine.  Ashen is twelve years old and I have struggled with the thought that vaccinating her when she was younger may have lead to her having this disease. I feel like I should have known but, when the vet scheduled Ashen's vaccines, I didn't question it. I thought I was doing the right thing. Then, Ashen started peeing on the floor a lot, I began finding blood in my cats' (I have three) stools and the doctor became really hand-wavy when I would ask questions. That didn't set right with me. So, I switched vets and I am so grateful to Southland Veterinary Hospital and it's wonderful staff (past and present) for keeping me sane (and baring with me) these last few years.  Now that we're in Denver, I'm on the hunt for a vet again.  The pro-tip I received was to look for an AAHA accredited veterinarian. Meanwhile, the vet I visited on Monday let me know that if I had not brought Ashen in when I did she probably would not have made it another two months.  He showed me Ashen's blood work and let me know that my furry baby girl may have turned a corner we can't return from.  Again, I feel like this is all my fault. I should have found a vet for Ashen right after we moved here and been meticulous about her meds and diet...I have no excuse. Monday, Ashen received fluids, meds and renal diet food. We'll re-test her levels soon to see if she's stabilizing (e.g. comfortable and as healthy as a cat with CRF can be). I cannot express how sad and guilty I feel right now. Animals have always been a soft spot for me.  Especially my own.

She is so.  stinking.  cute.

In a nutshell, that's why I've been away from blogging this month. Thanks for sticking with me! Your posts and comments are always welcome and a huge inspiration to me on tough days. More details as events warrant!

Yours 'till bobby pins on permanent waves get seasick,

Meteor Vintage