The week before, I had an appointment with the neurologist I see for my migraines. After a long discussion, he suggested that I try "Botox" injections. I have too, many, too often, and too severe. When I went to my appt., I had just gotten over a migraine that plagued me for over 4 1/2 weeks. Lights and sounds got to be way too much! Nothing I try as a prophylactic seems to work, and nothing has helped with the pain. I DETEST needles, but my doctor assures me that they are the size of insulin needles, and therefore the pain shouldn't be an issue....I'm used to pain, I JUST HATE NEEDLES!!!! My first "stab" at it is at the end of July...we'll see how it goes!
I've been feeling way more stressed lately, and am easily distracted. It doesn't really happen often that my depression gets in the way of life. Thanks to my shrink and the medication regimen I'm on I'm usually pretty even keeled. I've had more of an issue with dizziness and balance and I think I just need to slow down....take a deep breath....and move forward, one ...step ...in...front ...of ...the...other...
With that said, this last week got extremely hectic. I think I'm in the process of crashing, but it seems to be creeping up on me.
On Wednesday, June 6th, my friend Cindy and I traveled to Trenton, New Jersey. I was scheduled to address the New Jersey Assembly Committee on Health and Senior Services regarding their bill on Step Therapy. Their bill has a two step protocol, as opposed to Connecticut's law which requires your insurance company to fill the prescription your doctor writes for a pain medication, with either the name brand, or generic equivalent. The New Jersey bill allows the insurance company to request one attempt and failure before being required to fill the initial rx. Paul Gileno, President/Founder of US Pain Foundation, met me there, along with a lobbyist from Pfizer before heading up to the hearing room. There were 2 oopposed who spoke first, one of which was not only a terrible speaker, but was unprepared to give appropriate answers to questions asked. That "boded" well for us, as we were, clear, articulate, and obviously prepared. We knew our material, and I believe it was obvious that it was not just coming from our head, but from our heart as well. Cindy thought we did well, and I felt much better following than I did going into it having not enjoyed the event in Edison. In any case, Wendy, the Pfizer Lobbyist said that they'd love to have me back in the fall, when it will go before the Assembly and Senate. God I love doing what I do! Looking forward to more work! The trip went well all around, and came at a perfect time as I was stressed beyond where I've been of late and just needed to "Get the hell out of Dodge!"
I returned Thursday night, from my all too brief respite, to a veterinarians appointment for our cat George on Friday morning. It was supposed to be just a check up and Feline leukemia booster but we knew it would be more than that. He had seemed to be dropping weight daily, and was eating very little.....even if we opened a can of tuna for him. As it turned out, he had lost about 4 lbs of his 10.5 lbs, down to just 6.75#'s! The veterinarian looked sad, and my daughter and I said that we had already discussed that this was more than likely the path we'd take today, and therefore we all felt it was time to give him the gift of PEACE. We called my other daughter so she could be present, and allowed George to move on. What I hadn't expected was Tippy's reaction. I knew that he and George got along exceptionally well, and decided that I wanted him with me when we put George down. Up until the tech took George to put a catheter in, Tippy was laying quietly by my side on the floor. When the tech took him, Tippy immediately picked up his leash in his mouth and started pacing and turning in circles. He would not let me take the leash, but continued to pace at a near frantic level until George was brought back in, wrapped in a blanket. He had been given a mild sedative, in preparation for the final injection into the catheter. Tippy reclaimed his spot next to my leg, and lay very quietly until the vet came in to give the med. My daughter, Bethany, sat in the middle with Em and me flanking her. As the vet began the injection, Tip picked up his chin and rested it on my knee and stayed there until the vet checked George with her stethoscope, and said, "He's gone"........ Tippy took his chin from my knee and rested it on his paws on the floor.....he remained quiet the rest of the day....... He has since occasionally looked for George when we go out, since George followed us EVERYWHERE....down the road on walks, or just out to "potty".....and then he'd follow us in. I guess we are ALL slowly accepting, and getting used to, the fact that George is no longer with us. He had a wonderful life. He lived 13 years as an outside cat, the only one left in the whole neighborhood due to all of the wildlife we have, especially the coyotes....of which there are many! Even several months ago, he was still bringing us the insides of critters. It was kind of creepy, because he would bring the skinned creature....minus the head and fur/feathers....sometimes the entrails were as large as a squirrels!
This is a picture of George and Alli, January 16, 2011. As you can see, George was an uncommonly GORGEOUS feline! He will be missed more than words can convey.........
Good Bye George.......
On Saturday night, We attended a benefit comedy show with Lisa Landry, for NEADS Client, Elaine Motta and Service Dog Rudy. My friends daughter and I med Elaine following my graduation ceremony with Tippy. We ate at the Applebees in Leominster, MA, and Elaine was there getting ready to move into NEADS for her 2 weeks of training with Rudy. I feel so blessed and honored when I have the opportunity to meet clients when they are just beginning their NEADS journey. I med Amy Reay while she was fundraising for her Service Dog. And, when she was matched with Service Dog Delancy, I just happened to be up at NEADS one of the days while bringing a bread pudding. To see the excitement and anticipation in the faces of the soon to be "partnered" is so heartwarming. Knowing that they've become a part of the NEADS family is like welcoming a new member into my own family....It's great. Below is a picture of the "CT Contingent", along with John Moon, NEADS,(with S.D. Rainbow), and Ellen Jones, NEADS, and a new friend, NEADS alum, Tanya and S.D. Bess! HELLO
Last, but certainly not least, Tippy and I would like to thank you for your prayers of healing wishes for our good friend, Karin and her Service Dog, Lucky. Karin has made a miraculous recovery and has been re-united with Lucky. While she tires easily, Karin is doing much better and gets stronger with each new day. We are all better for having Karin in our lives, and so with a much heartfelt Thank You, I say Good Night!
Karin and Lucky!!!
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