Hi, Margi and Ladywolf,
Just dropping in to say "hello." It's Saturday, at last, and I'm home with my two kitty kids for the weekend. Here in the Blue Ridge / Piedmont Mountains of Virginia we had a skiff of snow last night. Thank goodness it was only a skiff. I'm not in the mood to have another weekend of major shoveling to do, although that may very well come to us on Monday. The cold temperatures are not very friendly for "me bones" either. I am so glad Oslo is with the angels because I know this winter would have been totally impossible for him to bear, and I do not have the physical strength to have had the opportunity to be much help to him when he needed to take care of personal essentials. I miss him so o o much, though.
I'm so o o glad you have a couple of friends who can help you with Ladywolf when you're traveling. That must take a major concern off your mind, even though every minute and second with her now is so precious to you both. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers every day. It seems we are traveling a similar road together - - you with your Ladywolf and me with my Abbygayle.
Thank you so much for letting us know how things are going for you and Ladywolf.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

Just wondering how you are Margi and hope dear Lady Wolf is still doing well. Hugs to you both xx

madi xx

Hi Moon Beam, Madi, everyone--

Thanks for the good wishes. I'm glad I'm not really in snow country this year, Moon Beam. I basically hate the stuff, although I admit that it's pretty...
But I'm cold enough up here at 4500 feet in the foothills of the mountains in southern AZ. Today is a particularly blustery, unpleasant day. Lady, of course, wants to go out for an adventure, and I don't feel like doing anything at all.

I've been in a real funk for the past few weeks. It doesn't have as much to do with Ladywolf, I don't think, as it has to do with the fact that my very closest friend Janice hooked up with a disagreeable man a few months ago, and it is clear by now that I have truly "lost" her to him. She and I used to do everything together, I mean everything--all our grocery runs to Tucson, doctor's appointments, we buried Poppers together, that sort of thing. Now she's hardly available at all and I am very very lonely, as I don't have any other close friends here.

I wouldn't mind so much if the man was personable, but he's not--and he's obviously trying to cut her off from her former ties and keep her all to himself. They never invite me to do anything with them--they've become a "closed society," and I think it's unhealthy for her and, obviously, an intense loss for me. She adores being "adored," (I would call it "smothered,"), so even though she's a pretty shrewd woman, she's pretty blind to what's really going on in this situation and I'm fearful for her.

For me, it's just another HUGE loss, as a time when I don't need anymore losses. I've already lost my part-time teaching job...

Thanks for letting me vent a bit--I really don't have many people I can talk to about this...

But Ladywolf hangs in there. The tumors may be growing, and she seems a little more tired, but maybe that's because I myself am way more tired because I'm depressed, and I'm not getting her out enough to suit her fancy. Her appetite continues to be terrific--whose wouldn't be, for things like salmon, steak, pot roast, and chicken? She LOVES baked sweet potatoes!

On top of everything, I also have to have surgery on my FACE in a week and a half. I have a small cancer--it should be a simple out-patient procedure, but I sure don't like the idea of having my face cut up, not knowing how much tissue they'll have to remove...

My doctor and I are "tweaking" my antidepressants yet again, in an effort to find me something that will work better. Sigh, I've been on one or another of them for 42 years now...

So that's the skinny, folks. I'm not a very happy camper right now, but I'm hanging in there too...
'
Love to all, and thanks again for listening!

Margi and the Lady

Hi, Margi, thank you so much for writing and letting us know how you and Ladywolf are doing. When it comes to relationships with the human male species I must confess I am at a loss. Many eons of years ago a "relationship" I was in brutally ended when the man in my life said I had provided him enough "amusement" and that he was ready to move to "fresher blood." From that point forward it has strictly been "hand shake" friendships only with the opposite gender, and finding a lot of freedom from mental anguish in living a single life style. But to your friend, I have to agree with you that she is in an abusive situation with him "controlling" her. This is not good, but she will need to have you when her life falls apart with him, which it eventually will. Hopefully she will be able to walk away from him healthy and wiser. Right now it sounds like all you can do is just pray for her and be there for her if and when you can.

I do hope everything goes okay with your surgery. Let's see - - a week and a half would be around the first Wednesday in March, is that right? Please let us know how things go, okay? It sounds like you have a lot on your plate to deal with, Margi. I am so glad you wrote.

I am glad to know that Ladywolf is hanging in there with you. It's a one day at a time journey just enjoying what you can together, and being out in the cold is probably not the best for Ladywolf either. You know, a change in your meds can also cause "depression" type symptoms because your body is adjusting to a "new" regimen. The traveling that you for your work is also phusically draining so when you're home of course you just feel like hibernating. It's okay to be kind to yourself, Margi, and do what you feel up to doing. Ladywolf only wants to be with you.

Thank you again so much for writing and letting us know how things are going for you and Ladywolf. Please know you and Ladywolf are in my thoughts and prayers. Please let us know how things go with your surgery when you can.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

Moon Beam--

Don't get me started on men!!! I too have enjoyed being single for almost five years now, though my last serious ex-BF has somehow crept back into my life, by email and Skype, from 1000 miles away. I'm not sure why...?

Thanks for your empathetic response, I really appreciate it.

I only have a moment to write right now, but want to clarify that the tweaking of the antidepressants only began today, and in a very low-dosage manner. So that's not the cause of my depression of the past few weeks.

I may be outta' here before Janice's relationship falls apart. I'll still support her no matter what, but it may have to be from a distance. After Ladywolf leaves me, I'll be seriously looking at moving back to California.

Hugs to everyone--

Margi and the Ladywolf

Margi, so sorry to hear that you are feeling so 'low' . You have a lot to deal with right now, and you have been through so much too. Ladywolf must be loving her new diet, wow, I could eat it myself, sounds so good. I hope all goes ok with your surgery next month. I'll be thinking of you.

Love Jan and my Angels _And also newly rescued Samoyed/Malamute ? ,Pixie, who joined us at home today. xx

YAY PIXIE!!!!! You rock, girl! Jan, really, that's very exciting news...how old is Pixie? We expect pictures really soon!

Ladywolf and I ARE eating pretty much the same diet. I'm not crazy about canned fish, but the pot roast, steak and chicken we SHARE!

Yes, there's been a lot going on, and there IS a lot going on in my life that I'm not crazy about either. But I and the wolf prevail...

Thanks for your kind words, ladies. I've had a slightly better day today, because it snowed here today too, and I got to be inside and all cozy and warm and almost domestic. Not quite (I'm an outdoor kind of gal), but almost. At least I cleaned all the rubble off my bed and changed the sheets for the first time in what feels like ten years....(Not really--but I'll betcha' it's been ten weeks. It's a very awkward bed to make.)

Hugs--Margi and Lady

Hi Margi and Ladywolf
Glad to hear Lady is still doing okay -- sounds like some good food you two are enjoying. I've been thinking about the two of you alot and trying to send good vibes your way.
It's snowing here in North Dakota too -- so you're not alone with the cold weather.

Take care
Sharon

Thanks, everyone, for your good thoughts. Sorry I've been absent a lot this week, but I had a killer dental infection, so bad that the antibiotics didn't start clearing it up until I'd taken them for FIVE DAYS. (I have horrible teeth and really need to have 17 extractions done and dentures made, but Arizona doesn't pay for them through state insurance, and I can't afford them myself, so what's a poor girl to do?)

I'm afraid that Ladywolf has taken her last long, brisk walk. A friend came by this evening and invited us for a walk. I didn't know that she chugs along at about six miles an hour--I was out of breath myself within ten minutes, but didn't consider Lady, who kept up fine...at first. By the return trip, she was stumbling and falling and finally just lay down and said that she couldn't go any further. We finally got back to the car by strolling along ever-so-slowly--but Lady's age and condition had become very obvious to us by then. I guess that "strolling" is all she can do anymore, and that makes me very sad. I could have killed Joan for going so fast and so far--I didn't know the trail and didn't realize how far we would be going, as it was a circle--but we both learned something from it--that Lady is OLD and SICK, and that we have to slow the pace down enormously...

It was so sad to see Lady stumbling and falling on her bad leg--I felt really guilty for subjecting her to this experience. She's okay now, lying down, and very VERY tired, but I think she'll bounce back. But it all made me aware again of her compromised situation and her mortality...

Just a (tearful) report...

Margi and Lady

Hi everyone--

A quicky catch-up report the next day...Lady has recuperated from her ordeal last night, and was able to take a short stroll today with no problems, thank GOD!! I was really really worried...

Margi

Hi Margi
I'm so glad that Ladywolf has recuperated from her long walk. It's hard to face the fact that they're getting older -- isn't it. When I look back on Sammy's last 6 months of her life, I realize now that I was in denial about just how sick she was. I've kept all the vet notes and on each and every one - it says' can't rule out the possibility of cancer or tumors -- but all I heard them say was that is could possibly be IBD. I didn't want to fact the fact that my baby was going down hill on me. I pray for you and Ladywolf every night -- I hope you get to have her with you for a long, long time.
Take care
Sharon

Hi, Margi and Ladywolf, I was so glad to get a notice that you have posted again. Both of you are so close in my thoughts and prayers every day. I am so sorry about your dental infection. That certainly has to be painful indeed. I am glad that you are recovering from that, and of course you have your surgery this coming week for the growth on your face to endure. You know something, we get into situations where the information we have beforehand is very misleading - - like your friend inviting you to go for a walk and thinking that this would be okay for Ladywolf to join. I believe I can honestly say that Ladywolf understands that you would not have subjected her to that ordeal had you known what the circumstances would have been. I'm sure you have apologized to her at least a thousand times already for what she went through. The good news is that she has recovered, and she has your love and comfort to get her through whatever comes along, as well as the wisdom from this experience to make a more "informed decision" about accepting similar future invitations. We can only do what we can at any given time with the information that we have. Please know you and Ladywolf are in my thougts and prayers, and will look forward to knowing how your procedure goes this week, and how Ladywolf is doing.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

Hi Margi and Ladywolf

Pleased to hear that Ladywolf, and you hopefully, have recovered from the gruelling marathon walk the other day. If you read my posting on my 'Pixie' thread you'll see that my husband(Dave) and I were taken for a squirrel chasing dash through our forest by Pixie yesterday. It ended up with Dave rolling about in the mud and both of us having the best laugh we've had in months, so well done Pixie........ some training needed there I think tho', lol. You ask how old she is. We think she is around a year old as still has the 'leggy' look and acts like a big puppy, also her teeth are so white. We will get the vets opinion next week when we take her for her check and micro-chip etc.
I'm sure Ladywolf knows that you have her best interests at heart, and yes we do learn from our actions, don't we. Hope your friend Joan learned from the experience too.
The dental problem sounds horrendous, hope it's improving for you. When do you have the surgery on your face? I will be thinking of you and hoping all goes ok for you.

Love and hugs

Jan, Pixie and my Angels xx

Thank you Sharon, Moon Beam and Jan--

This has been a rough week for a number of reasons and I've been offline a lot. One reason is that my PC got virus-infected AGAIN, but this time I somehow managed to fight it off myself without outside intervention...Hooray!!!

Jan, your story about Pixie, Dave and the mud was hysterical. I'm so glad that you have her now!

My face surgery is tomorrow and I am nervous, as the doctor told me that he may have to cut into my nostril. ARG! I, however, am planning on that NOT happening because, well, I don' wanna!!!!!!!!!!!! So please send good thoughts my way--this could be a very minor procedure, or COULD end up being pretty major, but again, I am not planning on that!

Love to all, sorry to be so absent on the Forum, but my plate is loaded right now. Ladywolf doing well.

Hugs--Margi and the Wolf

Well, the surgery is over and it was traumatic. While the doctor did NOT have to cut into my nose, he did have to pull one nostril down and one side of my lip up in order to suture the hole he made, and while he THINKS that everything may return to normal, he is not sure! I woke up this morning with the big wad of gauze taped to my face, thought, "What happened to my FACE?!," started to cry, and realized that I couldn't cry because I can't blow my nose. I think that that's one of the most unfair parts of all this--that I can't even sit on my pity pot and have a good crying jag to get it out of my system!

But I'm dong better now, later in the day. I've seen some friends, and even though my face presently looks like the mask in Phantom of the Opera, I've kind of come to my senses and realized that it is what it is and that it WILL get better, one way or the other. But I don't recommend having face surgery as a way to try to brighten up your week!

Just wanted to let everyone know that I'm okay, sorta'....

Love--Margi and Ladywolf

Hi, Margi, thank you so much for letting us know how things went for you yesterday. I am so sorry that the surgery was so traumatic. Are you having any pain - - still? I hope that at least in that respect you're not, or that the pain meds your doctor gave you are doing their proper job. You certainly have a lot on your plate to deal with all at once. When do you go back to the doctor for your follow up - - to get the bandages off? Do you have home health services to help with the bandage changes at home? I am so glad you still have Ladywolf with you along with your other furkikds to help you through this healing. Please know that you are close in my thoughts and prayers, and will look forward to hearing from you as to how you're doing.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam

Hi Margi

Glad to hear that the surgery is over, sorry it was so traumatic. I hope that you have a swift recovery and as Moonbeam says hope you are not in pain. Let us know how you are getting on .

Love and hugs to you and Ladywolf.

Jan and my Angels and Pixie xx

Hi Moon Beam and Jan--

Thanks for your well wishes. I've calmed down by now and stopped wishing I could cry. It is what it is, and only time will tell what kind of healing I'll have--just like the grieving process. I don't need help with bandages or anything--I have one on now that I'm supposed to keep on for the first 48 hours, and then it goes (thank GOD), and I can either leave the wound open to the air or rebandage--but the problem is, I'm allergic to almost all adhesives, so I'll probably leave the stitches just exposed. All I'm supposed to do is keep it clean and covered with antibiotic goop, not do any aerobic exercise, sleep with my head elevated, etc. and so forth--so many RULES!! But the head and face do tend to bleed a lot.

Moon Beam, I don't have any other furkids left now--just Ladywolf. That's why she's so very very important to me.

Thanks again for checking in--I really appreciate it, both of you. I just can't be here to post on other peoples' threads right now.

Hugs--Margi and the Wolf

P.S. The pain was awful last night, in spite of the painkillers, but it eased up a lot today...

Hi Margi
I'm glad your surgery is over - but sorry it's been such a trying experience! Hug Ladywolf whenever you feel like crying! I hope you get better soon.
Take care of yourself and Ladywolf
Sharon

Hi, Margi, I hope you are doing better today and that you and Ladywolf are enjoying this day together. Please forgive me - - it sometimes takes me awhile to properly "connect the dots" - - so thank you for your patience and for gently reminding me that your precious Ladywolf is now your "only child." Post-surgical pain can be very excruciating beyond the reach of the prescribed pain killers. I do hope this phase of your recovery has passed and now you can get relief from discomfort of the sutures with whatever you normally take for a headache or muscle strain, etc.. When I had my gall bladder surgery in March 2007 I specifically asked the surgeon for Percocet for post-surgical pain. Instead she wrote me a prescription for Oxycodone - - which isn't the same as Percocet. I took one dose of it the night I got hoome from the hospital and that was the last time I took it. It made me feel so sick and did nothing for the post-surgical discomfort / pain. So, I doubled up on the doses of the aspirin-free extra strengh Excedrin that I take for headaches and when my right leg is being really painful, and after about 3 days of that I was able to back off on the Excedrin.

Today we are enjoying a "spring preview" with temperatrues hovering around 60 degrees, bright sunshine, little or no breeze. I was able to get outside and bag about 11 or 12 bags of leaves from around the upstairs heat pump and the area under the basement bedroom window and from the area around the basement big double door porch. Oh - - there are LOTS more leaves to clean up but this is already a major improvement. Tomorrow is supposed to be about the same as today so I'm hoping I can open the basement door and put a gate across it to keep Noah and Abbygayle inside but so that they can look out and get some fresh air in their lungs. Of course the leaves I'm cleaning up are the last leaves that Oslo walked through last Thanksgiving before he had the stroke that took him to the angels.

Well, Margi and Ladywolf, please know you are in my thoughts and prayers, and will look forward to knowing how you're doing. I hope that each day in your recovery is better than the day before.

Peace and blessings,
moon_beam