Moving Along

Yesterday's adventure may have been just a little too much. I think the long drive got to me the most, because I didn't do any more walking than usual. Only 3800 steps, and I've done a similar number of steps on other days without discomfort.

Outpatient PT begins on Tuesday. I'm concerned Tylenol alone may not be enough of a pain reliever. It seems to just barely be doing the job. I may stop in at the clinic either before or after PT on Tuesday to discuss other pain relief options with my surgeon's nursing staff and see about getting a prescription for something like Tramadol to get me through these next few weeks. Technically,  can still take two more extra strength Tylenol a day, but I'm not comfortable maxing out the dosage on that given the potential for liver damage.

Sneaky is happy to be back outside. I felt bad opening the door to the porch while it was raining outside, but she happily strolled out. I'll need to capture her briefly Tuesday morning to get swabs from her ears to get checked.

An ultrasound of Tarzan's bladder showed some cause for concern, so he's been on pain relievers and antibiotics here at the house, and Dr. Val is doing a course of four injections of hyaluronic acid, which she's had some success with in blocked kitties. It's been known to soothe the bladder lining. It's hard to gauge, but Tarzan seems to be feeling better. Dr. Val asked if I could pill him, and I said, "Sure." before realizing I'd never had to pill him before. Mild-mannered chicken cat Tarzan resists pilling and administration of antibiotics like a wildman!  I have to wrap him in a towel and hold him very firmly and even at that, I've wound up wearing nearly as much of the anti-biotic as I've gotten into him. He goes back for his second shot on Tuesday. Dr. Val will check progress with her trusty ultrasound machine. I'm amazed at what a useful diagnostic tool the ultrasound seems to be.

I've been sleeping upstairs all week, and I've very much enjoyed that. Delta, The Brick, has been amazingly respectful of my leg space, choosing to stretch out beside my leg, leaving me plenty of room for a change. It's been sad not having Natasha there. Tarzan seems to be trying to make up for her not being there.

I managed one PACTS sentence for Polar Bear on the Loose. I want to get back to work on it, and I'm finally feeling as if I might be ready to concentrate long enough to do something.

The Week Ahead:

• Check on pain management strategies with my doctor's office
• Begin outpatient PT
• Make progress on PBOTL
• Pull together plans for where to go from here.