Good Morning ALL! Well the sun is beginning to rise and to the south the sky has bands of dark blue on the horizon and then a hazy kind of pink blue, so pretty. I wish that I could give it justice in my description. So very beautiful. It is cool out this morning but comfortable. The daytime highs are more normal now for this time of year. The trees are standing still.
The last twenty-four hours have been filled with incredible lows, then highs and then lows. How do you manage to live your life when things are so up and down. Good question?
So to the story. Yesterday as you already know was Mr. Alvin’s ultrasound on his belly to check his liver, kidneys etc. We walked over to the vet clinic for 10:00 a.m. I just had donned my mask and was about to call the clinic as we arrived when one of the staff just happened to be at the door so she let us inside. Another clerk gave me the form to sign regarding liability, another went to prepare some blankets for him (I gave her the bag with his blue blanket and for putting his leash and harness in, and with a little whisper “love you”, he was whisked off to the back. It happened so fast. I felt a lump in my throat and then I was out the door and he was left behind. Not forever. I decided that I would pick up a lotto ticket so I stopped at the convenience store nearby. Then home. All the way home, I was wishing that I had told Alvin “I will see you later so that he would know that I would come back.” Back home, I put on a pot of coffee and then once perked, I sat down to think and blindly watch a morning show. I did catch a segment about COVID and the higher than normal influenza season that is being predicted. Once I drank some of my coffee, I decided to have something to eat. I felt very guilty knowing that Mr. Alvin would have to wait for a few hours before he could eat. I always feel guilty. After that, I decided to pull up all of the floor mats and give the main floor a good vacuum followed by washing. I was almost done washing the floor when the call in from the vet. It was Michelle to say that they were done and Alvin was ready to come home. That was 11:45 a.m. Fast I thought but what would the news be, I wondered! I quickly finished and brought in and put down most of the floor mats so that Alvin would not freak out when he got home.
At the vet, I was going over some things regarding the payment and insurance, when another staff said, go see Dr. Karen she is in the exam room with the report. So off I went. We went over the rather lengthy report. There seemed like something was noted for every organ except for his heart and lungs. But gratefully, the most urgent issue was that he has pancreatitis which could be treated with antibiotics. He does have an enlarged liver and the liver is covered with benign lesions. There were a number of other items all related to age. I breathed a deep sigh of relief. Alvin’s Doctor said that he will need to be monitored closely as things could change but for now he is okay. I had a lot of questions. Dr. Karen had one of the staff take a copy of the report so that I could read when I got home. He was weighed and had definitely lost some weight but I was reminded by Dr. Karen that he had not eaten for several hours. After making the payment of over $800.00 including the antibiotics thanks to my daughter (loan), we were on our way. Such a relief.
On the way home, he pooped. It was very loose. Not surprised. I cleaned it up and we were on our way. Once home, I got him settled. He drank lots of water. I gave him a bit to eat. We settled down on the sofa so that I could text family and friends with the results of his ultrasound.
A few hours later, I found out that my coworkers had met with our higher up and were instructed to come back to the office for a minimum of three days per month starting October 3, 2022. Well that was a bit in the rear end. I was just feeling better with the news for Mr. Alvin and then this. Now what. I cannot leave him and will I be able to find someone to watch him for three days a week in less than three weeks time. My heart sank. I was sick to my stomach, well the feeling anyway.
So last night was up and down. I have lots to figure out over the next not quite three weeks. He definitely cannot stay alone as Dr. Karen said he will need to go out for a pee at noon and then have some water and food. That was based on the more slow call back to the office.
Why oh why, could we be one of the offices that allows their staff to work from home.
They make the decisions and I do not have say in the matter.
So that is where we stand. I am going to take Mr. Alvin for a walk.
I know that I will figure out something.
Have a wonderful day.
Continuing to live this life with kindness, respect, compassion, patience, love, laughter, understanding, gratitude, focus, possibilities and coffee.
Always, Carol & Alvin
PS: at the end of the day the most important thing is that Mr. Alvin is okay for now. That is all that truly matters. The other stuff will work out with some “elbow grease.” He also had a perfect poop this morning.