This morning's vet visit

As most of you know by now, Dixie hasn't been doing very well over the past couple of weeks. Her front leg is very swollen and there is now some swelling in both of her back legs. Also, her eyes have been draining for several weeks, but more in the last week. She also has been coughing and breathing hard from time-to-time. We talked about the understanding that if cancer returns there is really nothing else that can be done to make her well and that we would continue to try to keep her comfortable and happy. Something Jennifer said yesterday sparked hope that maybe she has an infection, which could maybe be treated, so I called the vet this morning and we just got back from there.

Dixie has a fever (104), which is high for a dog and higher than an infection would indicate. We believe that the cancer has, in fact, spread to other parts of her body and that it's just a matter of time before she gets very sick. She also has lost 5 pounds since October. The vet sees no indication of an infection and says that antibiotic treatment would be a waste of money. Steroids might help with the pain and swelling, said the vet, but might make the cancer worse at her stage.

HOWEVER, Dixie is still eating and drinking, moving, getting up (though slowly), wagging her tail, responding to our talk, "using the bathroom" normally, etc. Like all of us, she seems to have her ups and downs, good days and bad days.

So, the vet upped the dosage of Rimadyl, gave her anti-diarrhea medication, and ointment for her eyes...to make them less red and perhaps remedy some of the drainage.

Bob calls this stage "hospice" for Dixie as we keep her as comfortable and happy as possible.

We're thinking that the timing could be a lot better...as the vet suggests that this downward spiral could be eminent. Bob made note of the holiday schedule at the vet.

All of this is to keep you informed and sensitive to our situation with regard to the holiday season. We have a trip to Leroy and Partha's (Beaufort, NC) for New Years. We will try to keep everybody posted as things change.

Thank you for the love you ALL feel and show for Dixie Belle! She is SUCH a good dog!

Last weekend

Several branches of my family gathered last weekend for a few events of note. Bob was unable to make the trip because of a terrible cold that laid him low for several days. I stopped in Greensboro to pick up Mama and Daddy to celebrate their birthdays. We arrived in time for Daddy and me to see Jay's team in the second round of football playoffs. The East Henderson Eagles lost a hard fought battle, but we certainly enjoyed the game and watching Coach Norton and his boys. Below you can see a photo of Coach Norton in his "perch" as defensive coordinator (second from left in window).

 

 

Justice and Savannah spent the night in the hotel room with me, and after breakfast the next morning, the five of us headed over to catch a few minutes of Hilary's practice as she and the rest of the North Buncombe cheerleading squad were preparing for State competition to be held in Raleigh on December 8. There we got to see Holly in action too as the North Buncombe Junior Varsity cheerleading coach, preparing her girls for basketball season.

Back over to Hendersonville to meet up with Jay and Shannon for lunch at Cracker Barrel, then to the apple farm and a curvy ride to Lake Lure for a little sightseeing.





For dinner, we were invited to the Hublers for Jennifer's beef stew and some birthday cake in honor of Great-grand, Papa, and Jay. We had a nice visit with Jen, Rob, Holly, Hilary and (as you can see) Kayla. Thanks so much for having us! We enjoyed our time together!

 

 

Returning to the hotel once again and another night and breakfast in the hotel with the children and their great-grandparents.

The weather was beautiful the whole weekend and I was back home in Raleigh before dark on Sunday evening.

A good time was had by all!

Veterans

Humble gratitude to and for the many members of my family who serve and have served in various branches of the United States military. Your faithful service and personal sacrifice for the freedoms we all enjoy are much appreciated.

Because I'm afraid of missing someone if I list them, I will not attempt to do so. You know who you are; and if you are reading this, you know that I love and appreciate you!

Thanksgiving Invitation

I think I sent an email invitation to everybody for Thanksgiving, but just in case I missed somebody or your spam folder catches the Punchbowl invitation, here's a link to it:


http://www.punchbowl.com/parties/5091853-thanksgiving-dinner

Hope everybody can make it!

Happy Birthday

...to my mother, who is 84 years young today! I hope your day is filled with all that you love!
We're looking forward to our trip this weekend...does Miss Lessie have her bags packed? 

Love you, Mama!

Reminiscing from the Belk Bowl

...which apparently won't be repeated unless there is a MAJOR attitude adjustment for the WOLFPACK and all its affiliates. Be sure to click on the PLAY BUTTON on the last one...it's a video of Justice and me dancing to "Magic Carpet Ride" with a cameo from Savannah!

 

 

 

This and that

We watched a cute rom-com last night (a little different from the usual sugary fare). If you like that genre and haven't seen it, give it a try. The title is This Means War and stars Reese Witherspoon and that guy who played the most recent Batman...but I don't know his name. I thought it was pretty good.

Had a philosophical discussion today about what happens to people who work the night shift when the time changes, especially those who are hourly wage earners. I'm guessing that anyone who worked 7:00 pm until 7:00 am had to work 13 hours last night...and still only got paid for 12. Likewise those same folks only work 11 hours in the spring and get paid for 12. Is that how it works? Does anybody know? Bob thinks that those who worked 13 hours last night got paid an hour of overtime. Just curious.

I was going to make sweet potato bread this morning. Started pre-heating the oven and gathering the ingredients. While searching desperately for FRESH baking powder, I got completely side-tracked by my over-the-top-needing-to-be-cleaned-out lazy Susan where I store my spices...and apparently a myriad of other items for DECADES. Needless to say, there was NO fresh baking powder and by the time I finished cleaning out that cabinet, I was no longer in the mood to make the sweet potato bread. I guess we'll eat that big old baked sweet potato for supper tonight. The cabinet looks great...and everything in it is at least fresh enough to use within the next six months or so.



If anybody needs any ground mustard (which I apparently buy EVERY Christmas for that traditional breakfast casserole that my children can't live without) or various teabags for individual cups of hot tea, I'm your girl. Just drop by any time. I have Earl Gray, Arizona Green, Spiced Chai, Vanilla Chai, and no-telling what other varieties of tea.

Lori and Mark are hunting in South Carolina and will be here on Thursday to spend the night on their way back to PA. We're headed to the mountains next weekend, taking Bo and Flo along, to visit with Jay's and Jen's families. Jen has graciously invited us to dinner on Saturday night. It will be so nice to have that part of our family together, even if for a short time.

Until next time...fare thee well!