16 | March | 2011 | Snorkeling the ABC Islands

Yesterday we took Max to the vet as he was limping and lifting his front right leg and not wanting to weight bear. It was difficult to watch him like that. We took him to Scottsdale Veterinary Hospital where his vet Dr Lewellyn looked at him. He advised we get an Xray to make sure he had not Fractured anything, and also a blood panel as he was also running a temperature. His temp was 40.5 which is high. His resps were high too. He was off his food yesterday.

Xrays did not show any fractures, but we could all see how swollen he was around the “wrist area” of the leg on a dog, he was very tender and would not let the vet touch it, so we had to muzzle him as he was giving a warning , but good boy, didn’t bite. He was in pretty bad pain though, so I’m glad we did take him in to get assessed. It cost us 510 bucks, which was painful to part with, but he’s our boy and so we did it.

For that we got:

The bill is as follows:

1 geriatric panel (blood) 119.90

1 blood collection and prep 23.85

1 office visit 59.00

1 Nail trim w exam 13.21

1 Xray – 2 views 141.67

.70 Metacam injection 13.04

1 Metacam Oral suspension 51.76

14 tramadol 100 mgm capsule 33.76

=====

456.76

HST 54.74

Total this invoice ======

510.93

Today we had to take Max back to get his temp checked. It had gone down to 39.2 but because his White blood count and other lab values were high, the vet advised he be on antibiotics. I asked her if they had any “donated” antibiotics that they could give us, so we would not have to incur more expense and they did, so we are grateful for that.no charge today.

Today he’s at least weight bearing on that foot, limping but will walk. Yesterday he wouldn’t, and so there is some improvement. I put ice packs on his leg yesterday x 2 and he tolerated them because he was so zonked from the tramadol.. 🙂 today he’s more perky so it’s a challenge. But.. I will perservere, as he needs it to help reduce the swelling. We have been bringing his food down to the family room because we don’t want him going up and down the stairs ++ to irritate the joint. Things are looking up. He’s still in pain, but not so terribly like he was. 🙂

…Pam…

Today was my first actual radiation treatment. They told me it would take about an hour, and it did. Most of the time was taken up by getting me in exactly the right position. There were 2 guys and 1 gal who moved me about on the table and got me in exactly the right position that I needed to be to zap me. They also did some imaging, so that is why it took longer. The actual radiation didn’t take that long.. less than a minute or so in each position. They added some pen marks on my right breast and side. I asked them to make it in the shape of a dragon, but they just laughed.. They told me that tomorrow I just need to go to the treatment room, put my card up on the desk where they showed me, and get changed and be ready for appointment time, so that seems pretty straightforward. Today the gal in reception showed me around and told me the routine of what to do.

Because of the radiation I was warned that there will be skin changes. I was given a list of different lotions to use daily, and also a list of different body soaps I can use for showers. It has to be really mild stuff, as harsh soaps will irritate an already irritated skin. I will try to follow orders :)The main thing I can do to try to help myself is good skin care. They said the breast creases is one of the main places that tends to get irritated, so I’ll try to be vigilent.

I go to radiation mon-friday, and the times are not always the same.. it’s how they can fit everyone in, so tomorrow’s time is different than todays. They write it all down on the card you are given so I don’t have to remember and they only give you the next weeks times on the friday.

…Pam…

Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao