Sorry for your loss Stephen. (!!!)

It must be auto-correct. I know I wrote "Steph".

I have been waiting for a week to hear back on results of the thyroid lab work on Harvey. They never called to let me know. So I called just now to ask. Turns out this one particular vet "thought" we had decided not to bother. He is apparently of the opinion that last year's thyroid test on a 16 year old cat who has lost more than a whole pound in weight unexplainedly over the course of the nine months or so since he was last seen (for an ear infection) is plenty.

I did, however, get a reminder card in the mail to schedule an appointment for his annual shots and thyroid test which leads me to believe that more than one member of that practice is well aware that thyroid problems are things which can develop in older cats and which it is useful to test for on a regular basis.

That vet. is an older man. So one of three things happened. One, he got it set in his mind that testing Harvey's thyroid function was unnecessary such that when I clearly stated that I wanted them to send the sample out to the lab his brain turned it into me agreeing with him. My brain has certainly pulled some spectacular tricks of this style, but if this is what happened then he is in utter disagreement with his colleagues regarding the utility of testing thyroid function in older cats. Two, his otherwise gentle and pleasant manner hides sufficient ingrained, subconscious misogyny that he overrode my explicitly stated wishes in this matter and has no idea why I would bother to call him on it. However, I can't say I have ever gotten that vibe from him before. In fact, I remember successfully negotiating with him concerning courses of treatments (for Harvey's urinary tract issues) that I did not like in the past where I felt he listened appropriately to my concerns and assisted me in finding alternatives. Or three, his short term memory isn't what it used to be and it is time for him to retire.

For darn sure I will be requesting to see "not this one" in future when making appointments. Whether I want to whisper in the ear of the office manager, or write a gently-worded letter to the clinic, I don't know. But I strongly feel that I should say something to someone.

Sorry for the frustration, WS. It does sound like he may have forgotten when he was writing up his orders or notes. Ugh.

I'd definitely at least whisper in the office manager's ear, WS. Me personally, I lose trust in healthcare providers super-quick when they start not listening to me.

Tomorrow's Father's Day dinner plan is Chicken Marsala, Mashed Cauliflower, Oven Roasted Asparagus, and Chocolate Mouse.

Sounds delicious. Does the "chocolate mouse" come from the same recipe book as the chocolate monkeys?

Or three, his short term memory isn't what it used to be

I'm going to guess this one. Vet labs are a mess and the number of people I've had to call to come back in to redraw is kinda horrifying to me. But I am so sorry this happened to you because I know you're concerned about Harvey and thyroid testing in older cats is really important especially with weight loss. I hope they are able to perform the test and get you results quickly.

Does the "chocolate mouse" come from the same recipe book as the chocolate monkeys?

Let's hope it doesn't taste like artificial mouse.

I may drop the idea of mouse or mousse because the recipe is too much effort. Easy is more my plan.

also stupid autocorrect

If you ever read or watched Rosemary's Baby, "chocolate mouse" has a whole other meaning. And a chalky undertaste.

Steph, I'm so sorry about your aunt! Your poor dad.

My friend has invited me to Game Night tonight and I don't wanna go. I feel like I should go. I'm really not gonna do anything here but watch tv. But I feel anxious and ugly and kinda fragile and I just don't want to go have fun with people, if that makes any sense. I should probably make myself go. I feel like I need more than six hours warning to get ready for Organized Fun.