Since leaving Vancouver, WA to get Boots to a surgeon in Reno, NV it has been hectic. Boots’ bleeding hemorrhoids needed immediate attention hence the rush to Reno, NV. The healing period was a rough 1st week, easier 2nd week and better 3rd week. By the 4th and 5th week, the overall pain and agony was minimal. We were with Boots’ son and family enjoying the kids each day as she healed.
Bodhi is almost 6 and such a little guy. He’s active and has a lot of energy. His 1 ½ year old sister (Tara) adores him and copies his every move. She is very verbal and physically almost as active as Bodhi. Tara is a water drinker and not interested in much else. That’s good news but to show how much she copies Bodhi – He was having some rice milk. Even though we know from prior experience she doesn’t like it, Tara says she wants some. So, Ruthi fixes her a glass with barely a sip in the bottom. Tara up ends the glass and is satisfied that she has kept up with Bodhi. She does not ask for more.
We are in Reno stocking up on goods/services and final doctor appointments, before we head back to the central coast of California on our way back South for the winter. We get a call from Boots’ son – John. His wife, Melody, has had a run in with one of the horses boarded with her gelding. Though it’s sketchy on the how’s, the horse spooked (as they are want to do) and essentially ran her over. Melody ended up with 5 breaks in her tibia and fibula just below the left knee. John was transporting her to the hospital in Truckee, CA for surgery. The kids and dog (Sunny) were with Melody’s parents , at their home in Oroville, CA - about an hour north of Sacramento. Fortunately they had been passing through Quincy that day on their way home from Reno.
We drove over to Truckee to sit with them while they awaited surgery. Truckee, near Tahoe, is a skiing resort area and have very good orthopedic surgeons. The doctors/surgeons go over to Quincy (about 60 miles) on a weekly basis. So, once surgery was completed she would be able to see the doctor in Quincy (their hometown). That part all worked out pretty well. We talked with them about how we would adjust our current plans and help, at least for a while, as Melody healed.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Quincy, CA
A couple of nights ago, Karma and Ruthi were taking the nightly outing to the back of the park. On their return they met with another RVer and her 2 dogs (red/white fox-like dogs) and were chatting a bit. Karma saw a white/grey cat and barked at him. The cat was about 10 yards away under a stored RV. The cat came running towards them. Ruthi thought well he’s just bluffing Karma to leave him alone. But no, he came within spitting distance to them with arched back. Everyone backed up and tried to get out of his way.
Last night, Karma and Ruthi were again out walking but further away from the cat’s apparent domain. The “attack cat” as we had come to name him, was about 20 yards away, when the cat first saw them. He came running right out at them with arched back (but no hiss). He right came up to Karma and proceeded to beat the s#&@ out of her. Karma is whelping and trying to escape the attack while she is leashed to Ruthi’s waist. Had they not had on the hands-free leash, Ruthi could have let her loose. Though we don’t think it would have improved Karma’s odds. This cat was in “attack” mode and poor “peace loving” Karma was too stunned to really do anything but cry. The “attack cat” owner came out of his RV (which tells me he had an inkling of his cat’s behavior) and called off the beast. Karma and Ruthi went home to check for cuts/injuries – none thank goodness. Just Karma’s feelings seemed to be hurt.
Since this was the second attack, Ruthi went off to the park owners/managers to voice a complaint about the “attack cat.” The owners/managers were surprised as this 12-13 year old cat had previously had a lovely personality and they had never heard of him attacking before. Initially they suggested Ruthi alter her walking routine and use the front of the part for Karma’s duties instead of the back Northeast area (where our RV is parked). When pushed further by Ruthi, they agreed to talk with the owner.
After they talked with the cat owner, they informed us that he would keep the “attack cat” indoors. We are figuring that will last as long as we are in the park. As soon as we leave, the cat will be roaming again. “Attack cat” owner did come by to apologize and infer that RV travelling with a dog isn’t the wisest thing to do.
Well, they came be assured that our critique of the park will be included in our entry to RV Park Reviews. They are taking great risks with the liability of a known “attack cat” within the park.
Last night, Karma and Ruthi were again out walking but further away from the cat’s apparent domain. The “attack cat” as we had come to name him, was about 20 yards away, when the cat first saw them. He came running right out at them with arched back (but no hiss). He right came up to Karma and proceeded to beat the s#&@ out of her. Karma is whelping and trying to escape the attack while she is leashed to Ruthi’s waist. Had they not had on the hands-free leash, Ruthi could have let her loose. Though we don’t think it would have improved Karma’s odds. This cat was in “attack” mode and poor “peace loving” Karma was too stunned to really do anything but cry. The “attack cat” owner came out of his RV (which tells me he had an inkling of his cat’s behavior) and called off the beast. Karma and Ruthi went home to check for cuts/injuries – none thank goodness. Just Karma’s feelings seemed to be hurt.
Since this was the second attack, Ruthi went off to the park owners/managers to voice a complaint about the “attack cat.” The owners/managers were surprised as this 12-13 year old cat had previously had a lovely personality and they had never heard of him attacking before. Initially they suggested Ruthi alter her walking routine and use the front of the part for Karma’s duties instead of the back Northeast area (where our RV is parked). When pushed further by Ruthi, they agreed to talk with the owner.
After they talked with the cat owner, they informed us that he would keep the “attack cat” indoors. We are figuring that will last as long as we are in the park. As soon as we leave, the cat will be roaming again. “Attack cat” owner did come by to apologize and infer that RV travelling with a dog isn’t the wisest thing to do.
Well, they came be assured that our critique of the park will be included in our entry to RV Park Reviews. They are taking great risks with the liability of a known “attack cat” within the park.
Quincy, CA
Boots’ recovery is progressing well. Today is 2 weeks since surgery and she is able to venture out of the house (away from her throne in the bathroom) for short periods of time. Her pain is being managed with OTC pain meds instead of narcotic RX. Sitting is still uncomfortable and there is some nausea. Overall, she is back to normal (or at least what’s normal for her).
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Quincy, CA
Recovery from hemorrhoid surgery in an RV is a bit of a challenge. The bathroom is small by any standard with the toilet and shower in close quarters with each other. Boots recovery required almost total control over those 2 amenities. So, Ruthi tried to time her needs for when Boots’ was sleeping or she would need to utilize the RV park facilities. The current park in Quincy has coin operated showers – so on a matter of principle Ruthi refused to pay for a shower, as we were already paying for the site.
Boots needed SITZ baths to relieve the pain and quicken healing. The RV toilet doesn’t have an automatic drain like house toilets. Flushing is a foot operation since there is no tank on the back for holding water, the flush is a fresh water feed. The SITZ bath requires placing the SITZ bowl into the toilet bowl and allowing for warm water to “flush” by the body and out the back into the toilet bowl. Our couple of tries resulted in water overflowing onto the floor. So, that didn’t work. Boots decided that she couple then just use the shower head and tubing to do a running rinse directly on her body and into the bowl, watching water levels very carefully.
While the shower worked it didn’t have the advantage/healing powers of the soaking process. So, we were back to the drawing board for a solution. Boots remembered that her son had hard lawn chairs with arms. So, Ruthi went over there to borrow a chair to try out. We placed the chair into the shower stall – it fit with some room to maneuver. We placed the SITZ bath on the seat with a surrounding cushion from a child’s inflatable pool/beach air mattress. Then using Karma’s beach washing funnel to fill the SITZ bath holding bag with warm water from the shower head, Boots sat in the shower on the SITZ bath. AH RELIEF!
There more than you ever wanting to know about Boots’ healing process.
Boots needed SITZ baths to relieve the pain and quicken healing. The RV toilet doesn’t have an automatic drain like house toilets. Flushing is a foot operation since there is no tank on the back for holding water, the flush is a fresh water feed. The SITZ bath requires placing the SITZ bowl into the toilet bowl and allowing for warm water to “flush” by the body and out the back into the toilet bowl. Our couple of tries resulted in water overflowing onto the floor. So, that didn’t work. Boots decided that she couple then just use the shower head and tubing to do a running rinse directly on her body and into the bowl, watching water levels very carefully.
While the shower worked it didn’t have the advantage/healing powers of the soaking process. So, we were back to the drawing board for a solution. Boots remembered that her son had hard lawn chairs with arms. So, Ruthi went over there to borrow a chair to try out. We placed the chair into the shower stall – it fit with some room to maneuver. We placed the SITZ bath on the seat with a surrounding cushion from a child’s inflatable pool/beach air mattress. Then using Karma’s beach washing funnel to fill the SITZ bath holding bag with warm water from the shower head, Boots sat in the shower on the SITZ bath. AH RELIEF!
There more than you ever wanting to know about Boots’ healing process.
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