Sunday, February 28, 2010

Kona seem to be doing well.

I had another talk with the vet this week, and we are both pleased with his progress. He has not had a seizure in 8 weeks (that would be 56 days but who is counting?). His medications are in the therapuetic range in his blood stream. He is not sedated any more and his personality is showing through. He has been pretty mischievious this past week, getting into things he shouldn’t (like eating 1/4 bag of food, 3/4 of a rawhide bone, and knocking over and getting into the garbage). We are still going to work at getting his potassium bromide down another ml per day to help stabilize his tummy. But we will do that very slowly. Hopefully he will not have any breakthrough seizures. We really just want to get him stabilized. This past year has been a roller coaster as his disease progressed and the medications damaged his liver. But I think we are on the road to recovery.

Saturday, February 27, 2010

2/27/10

A delightfully pleasant day spent with my husband just doing “stuff”.

February 2010 Photo 10

My very favorite
spring flower
with their bright
trumpet heads
bunches of them

daffys 3

February 2010 Photo 9

My favorite subject
in his favorite field
green grass from all
of the rain
it will be a high
fire danger year
this year

Kona in the green field

Friday, February 26, 2010

Weekend of February 26th

quite the stressful week even though I was only in the office 5 days. Not too much going on this weekend

meet with L

reschedule bff trip

massage

laundry

eat fruit

take vitamins

finish invoicing

respond to 2 work emails

read

nap

yoga

water plants

xm radio subscription

ACHA renewal

2/26/10

An upbeat and exciting meeting was followed by news of an unhappy staff member with expectations not in alignment with reality.

2/24/10

Ground hog day again-another flight, another meeting, another hotel room, another day away from those I love the most.

2/25/10

A pleasant change of pace in that I felt like a valued member of the team today.

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

2/23/10

Thanks to social networking, I was able to reconnect to my stepmother with whom I had lost touch several years ago after my dad’s passing.

Made a little progress

Actually quite a lot. We took everything off of the shelves and got rid of what we don’t need. I also cleaned out at least one of the cupboards. Still have another corner to tackle and also need to install some high shelves to hold mrrad’s drums. The garage could use some painting too. I think we may have someone come do that for us. It will be a while before this is totally off of the list.

2/22/10

The evening started with a great belly laugh as I learned that Kona learned how to feed himself directly from the bag and consumed so much food that he could barely waddle.

Sunday, February 21, 2010

New York by Edward Rutherfurd

Really liked this historical novel. The author did a great job of placing people in the city.

Reinventing the Body, Resurrecting the Soul by Deepak Chopra

Transformative.

Movie 2 Wanted

I was surprised to find Angelina Jolie in this movie.

2/21/10

The skies were gray and misty creating a wintry atmosphere that called out for a hearty meal for keep us as snug as a bug in a rug.

2/20/10

On what would have been my dad’s 91st birthday, I had an uneventful, but satisfying, Saturday.

Saturday, February 20, 2010

Thursday, February 18, 2010

2/18/10

After a good night’s sleep I started the day with a migraine but good drugs relieved the pain and allowed me to survive the day, although not nearly as productively as I would have liked.

2/17/10

Awakened by the sound of a barfing dog in the wee hours of the morning, the day did not significantly improve after.

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

2/15/10

Methinks I forgot to remember that this Presidents Days was supposed to used for chores but I only remembered to read a great book about our founding fathers.

2/16/10

I am so effin sick and tired of the arrogant british pr^k that I work with, and for that matter all the other arrogant pr%ks that I only have one thing to say-BITE ME!

Monday, February 15, 2010

FTF Monday February 15th

I have absolutely no desire to do anything today but veg out. So I guess I will. But in just in case I do get inspired, here is the to do list.

eat fruit

take vitamins

make vitamin packs

fax prescription for contacts

pay bills

go to movie

laundry?

read

nap

clean out files

Sunday, February 14, 2010

2/14/10 Valentines Day

A day spent doing nothing but reading and relaxing, just like on vacation, and not one thing on the to do list was accomplished; I’m OK with that.

FTF Sunday February 14th Valentines Day

I am so sore from all of the body work I’ve had done in the last few days. But I’ve also gotten a lot of good restorative sleep. mrrad had rehersal today so I’ve some time to get a few things done.

eat fruit

take vitamins

order contacts

contact KP about mom’s advance directive

clean out 2009 files

organize stuff for taxes

pay bills

finish cross-checking expense reports with credit card statements

read

nap

make lasagne for dinner

hug mrrad

Saturday, February 13, 2010

FTF Saturday February 13th

It’s a little late in the day to do this, but I do so love crossing things off. The sense of accomplishement is so satisfying.

-meet with L-
-massage-
-nap-
read
-grocery store-

2/13/10

A perfect day-perfect weather, a perfect 4 hour nap, a perfect massage, and two perfect meal-perfect.

2/12/10

It was a day for self-care with three doctor’s appointments so I can now see very well while the osteopath pulls my leg and the acupuncturist needles me.

Friday, February 12, 2010

February 2010 Photo 8

Paradise Foods has
a fabulous displace
of peppers.

pepper

orange pepper

red pepper

yellow pepper

February 2010 Photo 7

A tour of Children’s Hospital LA
These “cones” with colored
glass skylights
are in the new
cafeteria

skylight 1

skylight 3

skylight 4>

February 2010 Photo 6

I can’t help it
I’m still a
midwest girl at
heart
in awe of the
romanticism of Hollywood

hollywood

February 2010 Photo 4

The Griffith
Observatory
appears between
urban clutter.

griffith observatory thru a signs

February 2010 Photo 4

After a stormy
day
a spectacular
sunset
in LA

after rain LA sunset 1

FTF Friday February 12

returned home last evening after being gone since Monday morning. Am taking a 4-day weekend to catch up on stuff that I can’t get done when I’m traveling so much

Eye exam
DO appointment
acupuncture appointment
go to dealer to get license plates put on car
eat fruit
take vitamins
post photos
call insurance agent
check with KP to confirm mom’s advance directive has been received.
get cards

FTF February/March 2010

This will serve as my updated master list for the next six week. It helps to remind me of the things that must be accomplished when I do my weekly lists.

Remind mrrad (again) to have his advance directive and will signed and witnessed.
Make copy of mom’s advance directive and send to brother.
Check with KP to verify that mom’s advance directive has been received.
Complete paperwork for mrrad’s LTC insurance
cross-check expenses with credit card reports
clean out files for 2009
prepare for taxes
find receipt for shoes and return
return treo to GI or donate at sprint store
clean out garage
keep doctor’s appointments
develop eating/exercise plan
put license plates on car
call insurance agent about insurance question
finish PAD book
order new camera
post photos
read
mani/pedi
review 401ks/move from HMC
update subscription to xmradio
schedule vacation
schedule bff trip
get ticket for mrrad’s bff trip
pay bills
water plants
get cards
eat fruit
yoga
take vitamins
make vitamin packs
finish powerpoint presentation for ASHE
call vet with updates weekly

2/11/10

My body made it very clear today that I can no longer keep doing what I’ve always been doing and something must change if I want to live a long healthy and enjoyable life.

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

2/10/10

Crushingly disappointed and my confidence shattered but this too shall pass.

2/9/10

I am all meetinged out and all I want to do is veg out in my hotel room (since I can’t veg out at home).

Monday, February 8, 2010

Some really good news

Mrrad talked with the vet tonight and learned that Kona’s lab work was markedly improved. His liver enzymes were all in the normal range! And his blood levels for phenobarb and potasium bromide are all good. We are going to lower both of his meds over the next few weeks since he is still pretty sedated. I am so relieved and my heart is lighter. I feel hopeful for my fur-butt. He’s not moaning nearly as much. Mrrad had the brilliant idea to feed Kona 3 times a day and giving his his potasium bromide 3 times at a lower dose. It has helped Kona’s tummy, he seems better. On the down side we don’t have to keep feeding Kona all of the chicken, cottage cheese and eggs since his blood protein levels are so improved. Kona isn’t quite so happy with that. And its been 37 days since his last seizure.

2/8/10

My heart is lighter and my worry lessened because Kona’s lab work came back with incredible improvement.

Sunday, February 7, 2010

February 2010 Photo 3

Spring comes in
February here in
Marin
The daffodils have
started to bloom

daffy 3

1/7/10

After a good night’s sleep, running some errands, giving Kona a bath and trying to put the license plates on my car, the rest of the afternoon flew by as spent the time doing paperwork (bills, insurance and medical expenses; and I had energy to accomplish it all

Saturday, February 6, 2010

2/6/10

I am realizing that I could be considered a bit of tech geek since I am enthralled with my new iphone knock-off phone.

Friday, February 5, 2010

2/5/10

Kona turned a decade old today and celebrated with a great walk with his dad, three squares, and restorative naps.

February 2010 Photo 2

Phoenix is having
his favorite
beverage—Coke Zero
while hanging out
with his dad.

phx drinking

phx drinking 2

February 2010 Photo 1

The dome
of the
Capitol
of the Great State
of Utah

capitol dome 2

FTF Weekend of February 5th

thank goodness the week is over. It was a 60+ hour week and I’m a zombie. Today is Kona’s birthday, he’s 10! A few errands this weekend and some relaxation

eat fruit
read
take vitamins
meet with L
get eyes checked
finish powerpoint presentation
pay a few bills
submit parking expenses
submit insurance reimbursement
submit msa expenses
yoga
put license plates on car
gather expenses and send to admin
pick up prescriptions
give Kona a bath
grocery store
reschedule bff trip

Thursday, February 4, 2010

2/4/10

After a weeks of flights with no delays, the last one of the week is diverted to San Jose due to weather in San Francisco.

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Some good news.

Kona had a visit with the vet today for blood work and an ultrasound. There was no change on the ultrasound since the last time so the vet is much less worried that it might be cancer. His liver enzymes were down and his blood protein up. All very good news. I don’t exactly how mcuh better but it going in the right direction so I am very much relieved. The vet didn’t have the results of his potassium bromide or phenobarb levels yet so we will talk to him on Monday. Since we’ve cut back on his phenobarb he is not nearly as sedated. His tummy is still upset, probably from the potassium bromide but we’re moving in the right direction. YEAH!

2/3/10

I think Salt Lake City is the filled with the friendliest people on the planet.

2/2/10

It was a very long day with cost reconcilliation meetings and two flights to Utah, a state that I have never visitied.

Monday, February 1, 2010

2/1/10

Feeling helpless and hopeless because I am not at home with Tom and Kona while Kona is having health problems.

1/31/10

At least I had a first class seat when I had to travel on a Sunday, and my hotel room was better than expected.