Sunday 10 February 2013

Catching Up!


I’ve recommended Colin Cotterill’s fantastic Dr Siri books on here before and I’ve just read number 7 in the series, Love Songs from a Shallow Grave and for me it was one of the best yet. The characterisation is marvellous, the plots rich and once I start one, I just can’t put it down.

And don’t forget if you are reading a series of books, you can find their order on Fantastic Fiction. It’s a very handy site.

So how are the bugs? They’re thriving. The kids have all come down with a new one now – not a sickness bug this time, but a thoroughly nasty virus, their parents aren’t much better. The classrooms are running on half full at the moment.

And Indy? Well the curves haven’t been going well and he’s been steadily losing weight and still getting up in the night. Last week his curve was so haywire (more like a fork of lightning than a curve), that on Monday when I saw Tom, he said he’d like to have him in the surgery to do a curve using their equipment.

So he was booked in the next day and we arrived with the lumpy, hairy old bed he has down beside my desk and the blanket he has in my bed, his food and bowl and his insulin. I also took my glucose meter to be tested.

I went through with him, settled him in his “room” and met the lovely nurse who would be looking after him – and she really is lovely! I gave him his breakfast and his injection, then left with the nurse promising she’d make a big fuss of him.

I went back in the afternoon to take him for a walk and – get this – after his walk he pulled me back into the surgery, went straight through the reception and out to the back where his nurse and the receptionist made a fuss of him.

Then off back to his room without so much as “I’ll miss you, Mum!”

And I’m very glad to say that. It made leaving him so much easier. I think he knows the place so well now with our frequent visits, he feels quite secure there. His test results were just as odd though.

Next step was to speak to an expert who would know the latest about treating diabetes and Tom said he’d do that and phone me in the next couple of days. I was that worried, wondering what would happen next.

So - there is new thinking on the treatment of diabetic dogs and in the case of dogs like Indy who have these odd results, you should forget about doing glucose curves and tests and monitor them on how well they seem! I think it was Frances who said ages ago that surely all that mattered was that he was happy. And as Tom said, it is the common sense approach.

There'll be no more blood tests for a while and we’re going to try basing his treatment around how well he is and not on what his blood glucose readings are.

His sight is very poor now because of the cataracts. I bought some white tennis balls as he just couldn't find the green ones any more and he can sometimes see them IF I throw them at the right height and not too far in front of him. Watching him run down the stairs is heart in mouth stuff though.

34 comments:

  1. I hope this new approach keeps Indy happy and active.

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    1. He is happy, Patsy and he still wants to chase the ball - the fact that he can't see it doesn't seem to bother him at all x

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  2. I agree (from recent Bobby experience) that it's easy to lose sight of the 'happiness' factor when bogged down with all the medical worries. It must be such a relief that he is happy at his doggie bed and breakfast!

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    1. It was a relief, Wendy. I was so upset about leaving him there, but they were so nice and understanding and said I could visit as often as I wanted during the day which I thought was lovely x

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  3. After all you’ve been through these last months over Indy’s health, Teresa, I hope you are taking comfort from him being as happy and content as he seems to be. Maybe he knows the glucose curves are stopping? Crafty old thing though, for keeping in with his nurse, eh! xx

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    1. He's as cheeky as ever, Rena - and sometimes when I get up in the middle of the night with him, he stands at the bottom of the stairs waiting for me to carry him up! Lovely if he's been out in the rain and has muddy paws, bless him :-) x

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  4. He sounds as if he's always supremely happy. It makes so much sense to be guided by that. I love the picture in my head that I have of him rushing back to his nurse and his room at the surgery.
    Wishing him and all the poorly children and adults well. x

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    1. Yes he is, Joanna. As my daughter said the other day, he's never really changed from that funny little puppy that he was! Thank you for your kind wishes :-) x

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  5. Hi Teresa,

    Such worrying times for you and all concerned. I want those nasty bugs to fly away. I know your beloved Indy, the love you share, touches the heart. Peaceful, hopeful wishes to all your loved ones, Teresa.

    In kindness and goodwill,

    Gary x

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    1. Thank you, Gary. I know you are going through very trying times yourself and I will be thinking of you next week and hoping all turns out well x

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  6. Everyone seems to be fighting off bugs at the moment; I'm trying not to catch them from my coughing colleagues.

    I'm glad Indy is happy and that he likes his nurse so much. He sounds so adorable.

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    1. We need spring, Debs - and we need it now :-) x

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  7. Hope you see the last of the bugs for a while, Teresa. I'm so glad you're trying the new approach with Indy - sending lots of positive vibes!

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  8. I hope you all feel better soon!!! Take care :)

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  9. Typical isn't it. You worry your heart out and he's happily flirting with his nurse!! I'm sure you'll all feel better with this common sense approach and no blood tests or curves. Hope the family all improve soon xx

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    1. Thank you, Sue. Two still off school - colds now. Seems all these bugs are kicking them while they're down poor little mites x

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  10. Posting late, sorry Teresa. Blogger is cr*p at the moment - very hit and miss about letting me post something. Anyway, hope you are all feeling better, and give cyber hugs to Indy too. Caroline x

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    1. Thank you, Caroline - I shall deliver his hugs with pleasure :-) x

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  11. I don't know the Dr Siri books, but I will have a look while I'm at the library tomorrow.

    Bless Indy, with his bouncy springer nature - still up for a runabout, despite everything!

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    1. I'm sure you'd enjoy them, Joanne. It occurred to me yesterday that for Indy to have his proper exercise now I'm going to have to run with him! So if you hear of earthquakes in East Anglia you'll know what it is :-) x

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  12. Hi Teresa
    I have a Springer too, who's potty about chasing a tennis ball. I hope Indy is soon springing about chasing balls again soon!
    Ange x

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    1. Springers are wonderful aren't they Ange :-) Sadly I think his ball chasing days are over as his sight is so bad now, but he's still as springy as ever :-) x

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  13. Nothing stops a Springer, Teresa. So I'm sure Indy will still be springing about when he can.

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  14. Oh poor lovely Indy, I know how painful it can be to have an old pet. Nevertheless I've noticed their joy of living is just the same in spite of the poor sight and everything. They wanna fight :). Good luck to Indy, get better lovely sweet boy.

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  15. There are so many bugs around at the moment, we've all had funny throats.

    Lovely that Indy hasn't lost his essential 'puppyness' :o)

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    1. I'm hoping the one they all have now - still - is the last for a while, Karen x

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  16. My heart is with you and Indy, I know how much worry it causes when our family pets are not well, I feel like I'm living at the vets recently. As for bugs the children have picked up fresh ones especially for the half term, lovely. They have also been kind enough to share the bugs with me, never mind. :-)

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    1. I feel that way too. Had another extra appointment at the vet today. I hope things work out for you for the better soon. Oh bless them, I hope they're not ill all through the half term holiday and I hope you're better soon (they do love to share don't they) x

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  17. Just catching up after being away for half term (yes, we all had colds too - but at least it was sunny!). You know I know how it is when your beloved dog is ill, so keeping everything crossed for you and Indy. It would be much nicer for him not to have to have all these tests all the time and just live as normal a life as possible though. Thinking of you and sending hugs. x

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    1. I've forgotten what the sun looks like, Lydia!

      Thank you for your kind words. No more tests for Indy for a while now, as long as he remains happy and stable :-) x

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