Friday, August 29, 2008

worry blogs follow up


So Gumby had his blood drawn and we'll get the results on Tuesday. Coincidentally, he's felt great all day, with not a single complaint of stomach pain. He was a real trooper at the lab, although it was not without its drama. He and I had gone over the process in detail on the drive in, and he seemed relatively calm. But when we got there, the patient before us was an autistic teenage girl who screamed and howled and wept during her draw. It was awful to listen to, and Gumby leaned toward me with a wry smile to say, "Wow, Mom. This is encouraging." The lab tech and I both told him that that had been a pretty extreme reaction, but what really made his day was when they were done and she said, "You did really well. Your dad has to lie down every time we take his blood." Lord help his father. I think the kid is going to have a lot of fun with that.


My sweet dog also had his blood drawn and we'll get the results tomorrow. What's wrong with this picture? How can a vet get labs back faster than a family practice doc? Coincidentally, he's also felt great all day, even better after he ate the leftover meat loaf that Surfer Dude packed for him to have as a treat after the vet. He pointedly spit out the "cookie" the vet gave him, but he snarfed up the meatloaf with no hesitation.


The bottom line is that he'll be having surgery next Friday. She's just not sure what it is, and we went over the whole needle biopsy vs. just getting the SOB out choice and I went for the surgery. She took xrays and whatever it is is not involving the bone at all and it seems to be encapsulated. (It's on the joint on his front paw that would correspond with our wrist). She thinks it's very encouraging that it's not in the bone, but she still can't say with any certainty what it is (or isn't). So...it's gotta go. There will be a lot of ramen noodles eaten in my house this month.


And now...we wait....


Sigh.

10 comments:

Altaglow said...

As I recall there's nothing wrong dietary-wise with RC's ramen noodles. They always have veggies and some kind of protein and are always served up with huge amounts of love. What could be better? A showing for the children that our pets are members of our families and are worthy of sacrifice--along with some food that shows that while it's different it isn't worms and snails. Plus all the familial-across-the-board-good-will that comes from caring for each other and being together in it all. How good is that????

Altaglow said...

As I read this back I realize I've only dealt with the dog, not Gumby. I really don't think anything at all is wrong with the young man--except maybe a bit of age-related stress. I'll be hugely, as well as horribly, surprised if his blood tests show anything really wrong.

-Ann said...

Good luck with the waiting.

Jill said...

the good news is that kids like ramen noodles. i hope everything is okay on both counts.

Akelamalu said...

Good to hear Gumby's OK, hope the outcome of the dog's op is good too. x

aims said...

Here's hoping it's just one of those hard cysts you get around a joint. I had a doctor take a book to one on my wrist. So professional don't you think?

Just want you to know you are in my thoughts often during the day. Bless.

Maggie May said...

Glad Gumby is OK and hope the dog gets on fine with his surgery!

Devon said...

Waiting really stinks... is there anything you can paint this weekend?

I'm with altaglow, it is great to have the kids watch us go through difficult things together. They learn how to cope and let others help them at the same time.

Good luck!!!

Jo Beaufoix said...

Hope Gumby is ok RC, and your lovley dog. Thinking of you.

Jo Beaufoix said...

Or your lovely dog. Either spelling is fine. ;)