.... let me explain.
I never found my comfort with being in isolation after the incident with Ginger a few weeks ago and living through what it takes to get help. My blood pressure went sky high - 200/116 on most days and those numbers threw me into a panic worrying about how would I get out should I have a medical emergency that required immediate attention.
Yes, there are some health folks in the village, but most locals will tell you stories how the wait for a medical emergency can take hours and hours and up to days - I couldn't accept that kind of health care for my health and possible life.
I am now back in Wichita, KS - after not being able to get out the original date I was planning on leaving due to fog (again, this validates the uncertainty of getting out for help if needed). Then - an ice storm in the mid west created a few days delay - but I finally made it home and am looking forward to life being settled.
I had this awesome and wonderful plan on how to finalize my blog - but, I think I'll just end it with just a simple period at the end of this sentence.
Tuesday, January 17, 2017
Saturday, January 7, 2017
Let me tell you about MY week!
I will leave this Earth knowing without a shadow of a doubt that my mother loved me unconditionally without reservations.
This past week has been quite the adventure for my mom and me. It all started Friday (12/30/16) night about 10pm. Mom was in bed and reading on her Kindle (like she does anything else... really, she needs to get a life...) and Chloe was under the covers with me; I wasn't feeling so well so I got up and threw up all over the sheets! Mom was a little concerned, but not too much; she cleaned the mess up and then insisted I drink some water - I didn't want water - so, she kept sticking her finger into the water bowl and putting it in my mouth - really mom! STOP.
I threw up again about 4 hours later... then again a few hours later... then some foamy blood... then some foamy blood again. Mom was frantic to say the least - it's not like we live where I can just go to the doctor to be seen; it took 24 hours to get me to the vet! We have to fly out of here on a bush plane (I HATE THEM!! They are loud and scary) Then, we had to sit at the airport of another small village once we got out of here at sunrise (bush planes do not fly in or out of Togiak unless there is daylight). Mom was on a roll... we were heading to get me help (She made me think I was dying!) I watched her basically fall apart on the floor of the airport in Dillingham, Alaska when she realized she didn't pack her photo ID - she was a mess - she dumped everything on the floor and was frantically searching for anything to get us on the plane at 1pm (I had been throwing up for over 12 hours at this time). To find out how that incident played out, you can read HER post that is posted just before MY post. Anyways - about 26 hours after I got sick, we finally made it to the vet office. WOW - I did not like that place... there are so many sick, scared and bleeding animals - I knew I was dying at this point! Mom just went and curled up on a bench in the corner and tried to get some sleep with me wrapped up in her arms - honestly, we looked homeless - it was embarrassing and I was glad that my head was completely covered under a blanket.
The vet took great care of me (SHOUT OUT TO Diamond Emergency Animal Hospital in Anchorage!) I left with a little less blood than I went in with - everything looked fine - the vet said for me to come back in 72 more hours to get things rechecked. Fast forward.... my mom took me in at 48 hours and again in 72 hours... she gets over concerned for me at times.
We stayed at the Motel 6 Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday night. I thought Togiak was boring - wow - we did NOTHING but sleep - my mom seemed to be quite happy sleeping in the same clothes for 4 nights and just watching tv and sleeping. (I'm thankful she did pack her hair brush and toothbrush - it helped take away some of that homelessness look we had.)
I mentioned how much I hate flying - so, my mom decided to give me a sedative for my upcoming flights so I wouldn't shake, shiver, pant and become uncontrollably neurotic on the way back home. (She takes the fun out of everything...) So, I was KNOCKED ON MY BUTT - ZzzzZzzz... this is the part of my story where I would be telling you all about the 2 flights back home - how we were diverted back to Anchorage due to weather and had to stay another night - then knocked out again the following morning to actually make it back home - unfortunately, I don't have many details of these events because I was pretty doped up and sleepy. .
A few memorable events that took place during my "I am going to die" adventure:
1) Bob - thank you for taking care of my mom; it's been a very long time that someone has taken care of her out of just pure kindness. It was nice to meet Ranger, his dog, and I really hope Ranger and Bob are okay.
2) Carrie - My mom really enjoyed getting out and having some real food - not that I know, but she says the pizza was amazing and the best ever - I wish I could testify to that. Oh, and sorry about how I treated your dogs... I was cranky and a little scared with being out of my environment.
3) The lady at the vet with the tiny tiny ittybitty supersick puppy - My mom prays for your dog every night.
4) The staff at the animals hospital - I hated every minute of it, but you were so careful with how you held me, spoke to me, jabbed me... but, you are also the folks that gave my mom some peace knowing I should be okay to go back 500 miles away from care.
Now that we are back home - mom is actually a little more freaky than before. She is having a really hard time not worrying about me and that makes me worry about her. She gives me strange looks and watches me breath.. she is worried I am not eating enough, worried I am not drinking enough, she looks - yes LOOKS deliberately at my pee and poop to see what it looks like!!
I do hope I am okay - because if not, I don't know how my mom would handle the sorrow. Thank you for loving me so much mom and for being with me every single step through this even though it was fearful for you - I love my mom - she knows it because I lick her right in the mouth every chance I get - I don't know why she doesn't like that...
19 more weeks until Mom, Chloe and I head back home to Kansas. Chloe and I have been both seriously warned to not eat anything not in our food bowl, not to lick things on the floor, not to swallow or chew on anything that isn't our toy and to just live in a safe little germ-free bubble until we arrive in Wichita, KS... We love our mom - but.....
This past week has been quite the adventure for my mom and me. It all started Friday (12/30/16) night about 10pm. Mom was in bed and reading on her Kindle (like she does anything else... really, she needs to get a life...) and Chloe was under the covers with me; I wasn't feeling so well so I got up and threw up all over the sheets! Mom was a little concerned, but not too much; she cleaned the mess up and then insisted I drink some water - I didn't want water - so, she kept sticking her finger into the water bowl and putting it in my mouth - really mom! STOP.
I threw up again about 4 hours later... then again a few hours later... then some foamy blood... then some foamy blood again. Mom was frantic to say the least - it's not like we live where I can just go to the doctor to be seen; it took 24 hours to get me to the vet! We have to fly out of here on a bush plane (I HATE THEM!! They are loud and scary) Then, we had to sit at the airport of another small village once we got out of here at sunrise (bush planes do not fly in or out of Togiak unless there is daylight). Mom was on a roll... we were heading to get me help (She made me think I was dying!) I watched her basically fall apart on the floor of the airport in Dillingham, Alaska when she realized she didn't pack her photo ID - she was a mess - she dumped everything on the floor and was frantically searching for anything to get us on the plane at 1pm (I had been throwing up for over 12 hours at this time). To find out how that incident played out, you can read HER post that is posted just before MY post. Anyways - about 26 hours after I got sick, we finally made it to the vet office. WOW - I did not like that place... there are so many sick, scared and bleeding animals - I knew I was dying at this point! Mom just went and curled up on a bench in the corner and tried to get some sleep with me wrapped up in her arms - honestly, we looked homeless - it was embarrassing and I was glad that my head was completely covered under a blanket.
The vet took great care of me (SHOUT OUT TO Diamond Emergency Animal Hospital in Anchorage!) I left with a little less blood than I went in with - everything looked fine - the vet said for me to come back in 72 more hours to get things rechecked. Fast forward.... my mom took me in at 48 hours and again in 72 hours... she gets over concerned for me at times.
We stayed at the Motel 6 Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday night. I thought Togiak was boring - wow - we did NOTHING but sleep - my mom seemed to be quite happy sleeping in the same clothes for 4 nights and just watching tv and sleeping. (I'm thankful she did pack her hair brush and toothbrush - it helped take away some of that homelessness look we had.)
I mentioned how much I hate flying - so, my mom decided to give me a sedative for my upcoming flights so I wouldn't shake, shiver, pant and become uncontrollably neurotic on the way back home. (She takes the fun out of everything...) So, I was KNOCKED ON MY BUTT - ZzzzZzzz... this is the part of my story where I would be telling you all about the 2 flights back home - how we were diverted back to Anchorage due to weather and had to stay another night - then knocked out again the following morning to actually make it back home - unfortunately, I don't have many details of these events because I was pretty doped up and sleepy. .
A few memorable events that took place during my "I am going to die" adventure:
1) Bob - thank you for taking care of my mom; it's been a very long time that someone has taken care of her out of just pure kindness. It was nice to meet Ranger, his dog, and I really hope Ranger and Bob are okay.
2) Carrie - My mom really enjoyed getting out and having some real food - not that I know, but she says the pizza was amazing and the best ever - I wish I could testify to that. Oh, and sorry about how I treated your dogs... I was cranky and a little scared with being out of my environment.
3) The lady at the vet with the tiny tiny ittybitty supersick puppy - My mom prays for your dog every night.
4) The staff at the animals hospital - I hated every minute of it, but you were so careful with how you held me, spoke to me, jabbed me... but, you are also the folks that gave my mom some peace knowing I should be okay to go back 500 miles away from care.
Now that we are back home - mom is actually a little more freaky than before. She is having a really hard time not worrying about me and that makes me worry about her. She gives me strange looks and watches me breath.. she is worried I am not eating enough, worried I am not drinking enough, she looks - yes LOOKS deliberately at my pee and poop to see what it looks like!!
I do hope I am okay - because if not, I don't know how my mom would handle the sorrow. Thank you for loving me so much mom and for being with me every single step through this even though it was fearful for you - I love my mom - she knows it because I lick her right in the mouth every chance I get - I don't know why she doesn't like that...
Me... the source of worry and anxiety!
The only place where mom felt comfortable..
Going out for pizza! 12 hours of seep in 3 days/72 hours of worry...
Home for 5 nights...
Loving on my mom...
$5 subs are only $10 in Anchorage..
Anchorage was single digit temperatures with frozen fog on everything - beautiful!
Heading back to Togiak
19 more weeks until Mom, Chloe and I head back home to Kansas. Chloe and I have been both seriously warned to not eat anything not in our food bowl, not to lick things on the floor, not to swallow or chew on anything that isn't our toy and to just live in a safe little germ-free bubble until we arrive in Wichita, KS... We love our mom - but.....
Sunday, January 1, 2017
Crisis when you are 500 miles from the nearest vet...
No pictures on this update.. but an account of what happened the other night out in the remote and isolated bush...
1) About 10pm Friday night Ginger threw up just out of the blue. Then again about midnight, then again about 2am and then foamy blood about 4am and then foamy blood again about 5am... I am stuck in the bush with a sick dog.
2) I made a flight reservation (departs at 1pm which would get Ginger to the vet by 3pm) to get to Anchorage asap to the emergency vet - first flight out of Togiak doesn't take place until sunrise which is approximately 10ish am. So, I made the first flight out and got to Dillingham (which is where the flight to Anchorage leaves)
3) I made it to Dillingha with plenty of time to spare - Ginger was soso at this point - I was a nervous wreck with all the crisis happenings and feeling very helpless.
4) Got to the ticket counter at Dillingham (pretty small airport - really just a building with benches and few little counters - no security checkpoints..) Anyways.. When I had to get my ticket she asked for my ID - OMG... guess what I never grabbed in my frantic packing.... (Who needs to carry their ID in the bush.. really; I've had it put away since July)
5) They called TSA to see what could be done with the few items I had (Credit Card, checkbook, and.. well, that was all I had) TSA said I couldn't fly.
PANIC MODE - My dog needs to see a vet! The next flight out of Dillingham to Anchorage is at 6pm...
6) Dillingham's supervisor asked if there was anyone who could get my ID to the bush pilot to bring back with them - what a GREAT IDEA!!! So, I contacted the wonderful pilot of AIA who was going to be making one more trip to Togiak and back - but not until after the 1pm flight would have already departed. But it still worked out - My MOST AWESOME "I couldn't do this without her" room mate dug through my stuff to find my ID and got it to the pilot and I got my ID about 3:30pm and made the 6:00 flight! Ginger is doing pretty well at this point; she is mostly lounging and nervous at the changes taking place in her environment and my anxiety, fear and stress were probably affecting her as well.
At this point - I'd not eaten anything at all that entire day and the last meal (and even a drink of anything) was the night before.. I was sitting at Dillingham and our tech guy from the school district, Cory, happened to be there coming back from a flight - He was concerned for Ginger when he found out what I was doing there and all the drama of finally getting a flight out. A hour or so later, he shows up with a bottle of water, an apple and a package of peanut butter cracks... It was a FEAST for me at that point.
7) Boarded the flight! Made a quick stop at King Salmon and then finally landed in Ancorage - grabbed a cab - got to the vet and met some super nice folks while waiting for Ginger's test results... (This one guy, Bob, had his sick dog there - he comes in weekly for his dog to have chemo for stomach cancer - Bob is a kind soul and everone knew him well - he did a great job at keeping my mind off things that were going on...)
8) Doctor comes out with test results and called me in - I told her, "I came all this way for this information and now I don't want to hear it..." She said..."Yes you do!" Ginger's results were perfect! Blood, urine, etc.. all looked great great great (We thought she may have gotten into some antifreeze or something - we had no idea) - the only thing is there was a little area on her tummy where something may have scratched her belly (probably a rock!) and that was what could have upset her stomach and caused the bloody vomit - nothing a little coating of medicine can't fix. Vet sent us "home" (Motel 6) and said to come back in 24 hours to have tests done again just to make sure she is good to go back to Togiak.
9) Bob was getting ready to leave as I was - he gave us a ride to Motel 6... I have a new friend!
Sitting at Motel 6 while I write this.. No flghts out of here to Dillingham on 1/2 (Monday) the only flight out on 1/3 (Tuesday) is after 6pm and that puts me in Dillingham and stuck somewhere overnight there... 1/4 (Wednesday) has a 6:50am flight which will get me to Dillingham in time to hopefully get on the first bush plane to Togiak and be home by noon. I am grateful beyond words to my room mate who is taking care of Chloe during all this - POOR CHLOE... I guess she is pretty lonely :( She is probably so confused where everyone is and has nobody to snuggle under the covers with for 4 nights..
This is not how I expected to spend New Year's Eve.. or 3 days afterwards. I am stuck in Anchorage.. but, at least I am within a quick ride to the vet should anything change with Ginger.
If you are still reading at this point - I am impressed!
Happy New Year everyone.
Ginger is doing well - eating, drinking
1) About 10pm Friday night Ginger threw up just out of the blue. Then again about midnight, then again about 2am and then foamy blood about 4am and then foamy blood again about 5am... I am stuck in the bush with a sick dog.
2) I made a flight reservation (departs at 1pm which would get Ginger to the vet by 3pm) to get to Anchorage asap to the emergency vet - first flight out of Togiak doesn't take place until sunrise which is approximately 10ish am. So, I made the first flight out and got to Dillingham (which is where the flight to Anchorage leaves)
3) I made it to Dillingha with plenty of time to spare - Ginger was soso at this point - I was a nervous wreck with all the crisis happenings and feeling very helpless.
4) Got to the ticket counter at Dillingham (pretty small airport - really just a building with benches and few little counters - no security checkpoints..) Anyways.. When I had to get my ticket she asked for my ID - OMG... guess what I never grabbed in my frantic packing.... (Who needs to carry their ID in the bush.. really; I've had it put away since July)
5) They called TSA to see what could be done with the few items I had (Credit Card, checkbook, and.. well, that was all I had) TSA said I couldn't fly.
PANIC MODE - My dog needs to see a vet! The next flight out of Dillingham to Anchorage is at 6pm...
6) Dillingham's supervisor asked if there was anyone who could get my ID to the bush pilot to bring back with them - what a GREAT IDEA!!! So, I contacted the wonderful pilot of AIA who was going to be making one more trip to Togiak and back - but not until after the 1pm flight would have already departed. But it still worked out - My MOST AWESOME "I couldn't do this without her" room mate dug through my stuff to find my ID and got it to the pilot and I got my ID about 3:30pm and made the 6:00 flight! Ginger is doing pretty well at this point; she is mostly lounging and nervous at the changes taking place in her environment and my anxiety, fear and stress were probably affecting her as well.
At this point - I'd not eaten anything at all that entire day and the last meal (and even a drink of anything) was the night before.. I was sitting at Dillingham and our tech guy from the school district, Cory, happened to be there coming back from a flight - He was concerned for Ginger when he found out what I was doing there and all the drama of finally getting a flight out. A hour or so later, he shows up with a bottle of water, an apple and a package of peanut butter cracks... It was a FEAST for me at that point.
7) Boarded the flight! Made a quick stop at King Salmon and then finally landed in Ancorage - grabbed a cab - got to the vet and met some super nice folks while waiting for Ginger's test results... (This one guy, Bob, had his sick dog there - he comes in weekly for his dog to have chemo for stomach cancer - Bob is a kind soul and everone knew him well - he did a great job at keeping my mind off things that were going on...)
8) Doctor comes out with test results and called me in - I told her, "I came all this way for this information and now I don't want to hear it..." She said..."Yes you do!" Ginger's results were perfect! Blood, urine, etc.. all looked great great great (We thought she may have gotten into some antifreeze or something - we had no idea) - the only thing is there was a little area on her tummy where something may have scratched her belly (probably a rock!) and that was what could have upset her stomach and caused the bloody vomit - nothing a little coating of medicine can't fix. Vet sent us "home" (Motel 6) and said to come back in 24 hours to have tests done again just to make sure she is good to go back to Togiak.
9) Bob was getting ready to leave as I was - he gave us a ride to Motel 6... I have a new friend!
Sitting at Motel 6 while I write this.. No flghts out of here to Dillingham on 1/2 (Monday) the only flight out on 1/3 (Tuesday) is after 6pm and that puts me in Dillingham and stuck somewhere overnight there... 1/4 (Wednesday) has a 6:50am flight which will get me to Dillingham in time to hopefully get on the first bush plane to Togiak and be home by noon. I am grateful beyond words to my room mate who is taking care of Chloe during all this - POOR CHLOE... I guess she is pretty lonely :( She is probably so confused where everyone is and has nobody to snuggle under the covers with for 4 nights..
This is not how I expected to spend New Year's Eve.. or 3 days afterwards. I am stuck in Anchorage.. but, at least I am within a quick ride to the vet should anything change with Ginger.
If you are still reading at this point - I am impressed!
Happy New Year everyone.
Ginger is doing well - eating, drinking
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