Dad is home from the hospital. They did some scan of the back of the heart for the cause of the stroke. Apparently there are 2 types of strokes, one from blood clot, one from (dad couldn't remember what it's called), and of course, he has the one he can't remember what it's called. Dunno when the results of today's test will be in, but he is apparently well enough to send home.

All in all, a crazy week for him. Apparently he was going to visit the audiologist to finally get some hearing aides, and then today was the day to get his prostrate probing exam, and instead he had everything but those two things done. Stroke. Stents. And tests galore! Fun times!

Thanks for all the ~ma and support!

(x-posting with Beep Me, for the folks who don't read in here)

And now that I've eaten, a bit of mememe.

Frankie went to the vet yesterday for a follow-up on his UTI. This morning he had had accidents on the floor (both kinds), and when I came home tonight he'd had more accidents. That is very, very not like him. The vet called me to say that the PH of his urine is still very high, and he has struvite crystals. I have to call the vet tomorrow.

It's kind of the last straw in a tough week. StW and I broke up, work has been emotionally and mentally exhausting and I'm way behind, and I can't even think about moving though I need to start tomorrow.

I am going to bed in about fifteen minutes and I hope to sleep for a long, long time.

We are mighty-mighty, yo.

And sometimes we let it all hang out

I'm sorry Frankie is having urinary track problems, smonster. And about the rest of the week.

Oh, smonster, I'm so sorry to hear about Frankie's struggle...poor both of you.

bonny, how is Bartleby? And how are you?

{{{{smonster}}}}

That is a lot to deal with all at once. I'm sorry you and Frankie are both having a tough time of it.

bonny! {{hug}}

Liese, that's exactly how I feel about any family gathering. I want to see them, I care about them... I just wish I could do the entire "family time" thing in about six hours max, and then be home again. Holidays are emotionally exhausting even when I'm not really doing much.

DCJ, I'm personally excited by your tale of mortgage refinance success at your credit union, because I've been thinking of doing this myself. I switched my car loan over to my new CU, and thereby lowered the rate from 15.9% to 3.99% (!?!), lowered the payment by almost $150/month, and have a shorter loan term I had before. If they can give me a deal like that on my mortgage, hoo boy.

Actually I should probably fess up that I'm not looking forward to the trip at all.

I so get this. I've felt it more than once. Too many people, being really aware of how far away I am from family when people are sick, creepy politics, missing out on the kids' lives - all of it. And it's hard. But the trips really do tend to turn out much better than I fear. Though part of that is that I claw my way into having a little personal space. I hope you end up having a good trip, Liese.

smonster, I hope Frankie (and you) feel better soon. Pet ills are hard.

bonny, I hope Bartleby is recovering nicely and you are okay.

Glad your dad is doing better, omnis.

We're doing okay, Steph. (and everyone, HEY!)

Bartleby has great energy and is behaving pretty normally, despite looking like he's been ravaged by wolves. He's hopped up on Tramidol and Rimadyl, so his pain is being managed pretty well.

He's got a drain in his thigh, which is supposed to be removed Monday. I'm being hyper-vigilant on the cleanliness front...without compromising his sutures, of course.

His wounds are just now starting to bother him, so his cone-free days are coming to a middle.

The dreaded incontinence hasn't been all that bad. On closer observation, it's become obvious that the surgeon didn't take 'a portion' of his sphincter, but pretty much half of it, so the fact that he's doing this well is pretty awesome. I'm committed to carrying baby wipes for the rest of his life. We'll adapt.

As for me, Tuesday was the worst day I've endured in the last 20 years...for reals. I cannot remember being that out of emotional control. It's hard to describe what happened but I'm pretty clear on the why.

Thankfully, Sparky and my OTBF were able to help me keep my head from exploding. Wednesday and Thursday were given up to exhaustion but I'm doing okay today.

I've got an intricate and quite full care-giving calendar with procedures and/or ministrations every two hours or so. In a weird way, it's helping. I've 'coped' with this problem for so long that having something to actually DO in response to it is kind of healing.

I'm really, truly looking forward to looking back, after a month or so, and knowing that we are on the other side of it. We may not ever be 100% again, but we'll be just fine.

I have to give big, BIG ups to Dr. Griffin. He may not be the most diplomatic dude ever, but he has mad skills and, without question, saved my little guy's life.

So. Yeah. I'm tired, but okay.