Update on my life and Hello to everyone!

[Fluffysmom]

Greetings.  It's been a long time since I've been on the forum regularly; so much has changed!  New format, new people, new advertisements, lol!

Since my friend/catsitter died in July I've dealt with that sadness.  On my birthday I went to the beach with my roommate & aggravated my right knee.  The next day in Gentle Yoga for People with MS I aggravated it even more and watched it swell before my eyes.

I rested, iced, & elevated, and the swelling persisted.  Under advice from my doctor's advice nurse, I went to Urgent Care, where I was given a neoprene brace & the advice to keep doing what I was doing, skip yoga and my volunteer work for a couple weeks.

I saw my primary care doc, who referred me to an ortho, who I couldn't get in to see until Sept.1.  I finally will have an MRI of my right knee tomorrow, and a follow-up with the ortho on the 29th.

During the same time, I had an outbreak of a cold-sore-type thing on the left side of my face that got a secondary infection; it was really not pretty and I felt awful.  I picked up my roommate at the airport and she drove me straight to my doctor's office, where I was put on mega-doses of an anti-viral and some antibiotics.

I had a mini-flare, with nerve pain jolts, dizziness, blurry vision, and extra fatigue.

I've had to ask for help with my volunteer work at CAT and may need to change to a less physically challenging position.  I miss yoga.  

I've gained weight (again!).

My roommate had two trips planned to Las Vegas; one last week and one towards the end of October.  I was wondering if I would be able to go, but I started feeling better and found a good cat boarding place for Beau where I knew he would be comfortable.

Happily, the weather cooperated for my week in Vegas; there were thunderstorms (I love them!) and some cloudy & cooler days.  My roommate's convention didn't take up too much time, and we had some fun.

We drove up to Mt. Charleston, something I've been wanting to do for years.  It's much cooler after the 5000 ft. gain in 20 miles on the drive up.  We hiked on Mary Jane Falls trail, though we couldn't make it to the falls.  My roommate quit before me, so I went on alone.  The air was so fresh and clear well above 7000 ft in elevation and the trees were gorgeous; aspen, ponderosa pine, white fire, and mountain mahogany.  I made it just over halfway, quitting when the gradual ascent became a "steep climb up a series of switchbacks and rock steps".  On my way back down, and jogger ran by me up the trail.  I didn't let it dampen my sense of accomplishment.

The next day a flash flood hit the area from series of thunderstorms.

Later in the week we were heading for Red Rock Canyon, where we had visited a few years ago.  There was some construction on the road there, and we missed the turnoff, ended up going "over the hump to Parumph".  The road to Parumph is long and straight through high flat desert, with no places to legally turn around.  We did finally did use a turn-around for official vehicles only; by that time we were ready to pay a fine to get off that road to nowhere!

We decided to check out Spring Mountain Ranch State Park, and had a lovely time.  I've posted a few pictures.  We hiked on a wonderful trail, saw lizards, butterflies, ducks, jackrabbits, chipmunks, an old cemetary, reservoir, and a lake.  The views were fabulous, and we did see some red rocks of Red Rock Canyon, lol.  

We visited several casinos, ate some good food,(M Casino has the best buffet, in my opinion), and I rested in the timeshare condo while my roomie was at her conference.  I ate healthy stuff I prepared, went to the fitness room and rode a recumbent bicycle, and swam in the cooler pool.  I'm planning on trying water aerobic again soon; I loved being in the pool.  I did an Avonex injection while I was there, and had a decent day after.

I managed to lose a couple pounds on my week in Las Vegas, buffets, and all!

Beau was fine at the Cat Retreat where I'd boarded him, but was really glad to be home (me too)!

I've gone to a soccer match and a volunteer appreciation picnic since I've been back, and am feeling decent.  Beau has been keeping me awake some these past couple nights, so I'm tired, but doing OK.

Sorry this is so long; just wanted to share and got carried away!

I've cut and pasted this after writing it on the MS forum; didn't want to repeat myself.

Beau was truly fine at the cat retreat; the woman who runs it is wonderful with cats, is a calm and pleasant person.  He had his own small room, but she let him out to check things out a couple times a day.  He got to sniff under the doors of the other cat's rooms, investigate everything, and the woman held him, brushed him, etc.  He didn't seem all that interested in me at first when I went to pick him up, especially when he saw his carrier!  I sat in the back seat with him on the ride home, and he was so happy to be home when we got there!  

He actually likes being held more than before, and for the first time purred at length while I was petting him,  In the past he only purred a little while kneading his blanket (the one that used to be Fluffy's).  He had his two blankets, catnip mouse, Da Bird, treats, and wheat grass in his room at the retreat.  He used his litter box as soon as he got there, and used his litter box here as soon as he got home.

It the CAT volunteer appreciation picnic I went to, I got another catnip mouse for him in a goody bag, the same kitty hooch kind that he likes so much.  Now he has one for upstairs & one for downstairs.

Ooops, now this is even longer!

I have missed you all!

[Piparskeggr]

Heya, good on you for watching out for you (and on your roomie for watching out for you)...heal well.

Beau's adventure sounds a little like the kenneler we used in Nebraska, Lori Ann...she was one of the few humans that our little gremlin (April Dancer) fully trusted.

Take care and thanks for the update!

Pip

[Jade59]

Hello, hello!!!  This is So weird, but I was just thinking of you yesterday!  Thanks for the update - I enjoyed reading your post. Sounds like you've been through both good and bad times equally.  I hope your knee is feeling better and the antivirals did their job.  What a nice place you found for Beau!  Such peace of mind when you know he's being well cared for, eh?  I think it might be a good sign when we leave kitty somewhere and they are not eager to go home - a sign they're happy where they are. Same thing happened when we boarded Jade at the vet for 10days after her surgery.  They love her there and are very attentive and she didn't seem as interested in us as we thought she would be when we visited, but once she got home, it was clear she was Very happy to be home!  

[AppleBr]

Hey, it seems like  we decided for came back at the same time!
And my right knee have started claiming agaim...
Hugs and bites

Pip I will read that stuff about Teia later on, ok?

[teddybears4ever2]

I'm very glad you updated us on your life.  I am also glad that you have someone who was very good with Beau when you were gone.