Updates on Stella

Between Stella and me, it seems as if one of us is either sick or having a surgery.  This time it was my princess, Stella.

This picture was taken this morning of Stella.  I woke her up from her sleep... oops :) Notice her arm in the picture. She had to have some of it shaved for the IV cath to be placed in her. 

As you saw from my last post, Stella had surgery this past Friday.  She had her teeth cleaned, was spayed, and had 2 growths removed.

We first thought she had one growth, but it was actually two small ones right beside each other.  They are both sent off for testing to see what they are.  Stella also had her teeth cleaned and had to get 3 teeth extracted.  My poor baby hardly has any teeth left.. it doesn't matter to me though, I love her just as much as I got her.. if not more.

The surgery went well, as I was told.  She is in the recovery process now, and I feel so helpless for her.  She has 3 incisions and my biggest challenge is to keep her from licking her stitches.  She is a HUGE licker and I just knew she would try to lick them, and she definitely has.

Knowing that she was a licker, I bought an Elizabethan collar (E-collar, Cone) for her.  She HATES it and I HATE it even more.  I put it on her and she immediately ran into a shoe of mine.. go figure.  She then proceeded to freak out.  She darted out of my room, hitting the wall with the cone.  I had to hold her down just to get the cone off.  I then put it on her last night in my bed, thinking that it would be better since she wouldn't run into anything.  I calmed her down and for about 10 minutes she was alright.  She wouldn't sleep, but finally stopped breathing heavy.  After about 10 minutes, she jumped up and tried to run off the bed, like a crazy dog.  Thankfully I stopped her just in time and have since tried putting it on her.  A stern "NO" from me usually gets her to stop licking but I am in a pickle as what to do when I have to go to work tomorrow and for the rest of the week.  The thought of putting her in the E-collar and having her have a panic attack while I am gone tears my nerves up.  I am actually scared she will hurt her incisions more trying to get the cone off than licking them.  When she has the cone on, she goes into panic mode only thinking about getting it off.

Other than her licking, I feel that she is getting better.  Her personality is starting to show again, and she has picked up her pace when walking her (short walks only). 

I am thankful for another day home with her, to monitor her and to love on her.  I have never been through anything like this before.  I've never been responsible for someone or something who has just undergone a major surgery.  I have learned many things from this but the biggest thing I learned was that I love Stella more than anyone else.  She is my world and knowing she is in pain kills me.  For now, we will be resting and I will be giving her all my sugars.  :)



Updates on my life

We'll its been a while since I've blogged and I'm not happy about that.  I have been SO busy lately, which is totally not like me!! I will talk about a lot of things that have been going on and update you a little on Stella and her whole situation.

The weekend after Valentines Day, my sister, Noah, and I went to North Carolina to see my beautiful cousin compete in her school's Scholarship Pageant.  I might be a little biased, but I do believe Kristen was the most beautiful girl in the pageant, and I felt like she did AMAZING, especially for being a newbie to the whole thing.  She did win Miss Congeniality out of the whole group of girls, and I could not be more happy for her.  I felt like the title of Miss Congeniality is better than anything else.  I always knew she was such a sweet, genuine, caring individual and it's amazing to know that everyone else feels the same way.  Although the trip to NC was about Kristen, I did enjoy spending time with a lot of my family and I always cherish the moments we get to spend together since I don't see them as often as I would like to and should.

Me, Caroline, and Ashley before the Pageant

Kristen and me after the pageant. Isn't she just beautiful?!

The next weekend after the NC trip, was the Abbeville Woman's Club Mardi Gras Dance.  I helped set up things that Saturday morning and my sister and I went to the dance that night.  They had a DJ, and finger foods and everything looked awesome! We had a blast!

I also had a Thirty-One Party the following Monday and had so.much.fun! The turnout was ah-mazing and I am still in awe over who all showed up.  I do have some of the best friends and co-workers in the world.  I often take these things for granted, but I am very blessed.  I decided to make a couple of homemade things for the party, so I ended up making Snickers Cupcakes (super yummy) and homemade pizza rolls!  I think they both turned out great and I have pinterest to thank for that.

Snickers Cupcakes... to.die.for

Now to the news about Stella!  She has been such a joy to my life and I am falling more in love with her everyday.. I think about her non-stop and I don't know if this is good or not :)

I took her to the vet this past Monday for bloodwork and x-rays.  While there, I found out that she has an ear infection.  I have a solution for her ears and a gel-like substance to put in her ears.. one goes in 1 time a day, and the other one 2 times.  This is torture for both her and me! She does not bite, but she wiggles and squirms and makes it near impossible to get anything in her ears.  I am constantly left wondering if I even put the stuff down far enough in her ears.  The last thing I want is for her infection to stay around or get worse! Prayers please.  On to the bloodwork and x-rays... Everything looked GREAT! Praise the Lord.  Her heart and kidneys are in great condition.  She has lost some weight, but the vet said that she is not underweight and is in good shape!  I am SO happy she is healthy, but this also means that she is ready to have surgery! AND she is having it THIS FRIDAY! She will be getting spayed, her growth removed, and her teeth cleaned all in ONE surgery!  I constantly think about it and I am so scared for her.  I had a chat with her and told her what was going to happen but she has NO idea.  Bless her heart.  I am trying to prepare myself for what to expect, but I have never been through this before so I have NO idea what to do! I pray that the surgery is successful and that I have the patience and ability to care for her after and that she has a speedy recovery... As my momma told me over the phone Monday night, you will do whatever you have to do because it's your baby.  Regardless of what's to come, I know this is true.  Stella is my heart and I will do everything to protect her, keep her safe, and to nurture her back to health as fast as possible!





This is the latest picture of Stella (right after she came home from the groomers)

:)



Sunday Funday

Oh.My.Word.  I was little miss Laura Homemaker yesterday.  I am so proud of myself and I would like to give myself a pat on the back.  Yesterday, I made homemade powdered laundry detergent.  So amazing.  Thanks to pinterest and the Being Creative Blog, I successfully made my own laundry detergent.  I cut the recipe in half, since I'm only doing laundry for myself.  It took me in all about 30 minutes to make it. 

This is the before picture, with all of my ingredients

I ended up using 1 1/2 bars of the Fels Naptha soap, 1/2 box of the Arm and Hammer Washing Soda, 1/2 box of Borax, and the whole thing of Baking Soda

This is the after picture of grating the Fels Naptha soap... It looks like cheese!

All finished!

I washed a couple loads of laundry after making the soap.  Everything seems to turn out nice and clean.  However, there is not a scent to it, as I knew going into this project.  For those of you who like a scent, a liquid detergent might be better since you can add essential oils to make it smell nice.  Along with this, I use my homemade Softener, which consists of 1 part hair conditioner, 1 part white vinegar, and 2 parts water. 

**Also, the Fels Naptha soap DOES dissolve in the water.  I read what others posted on the above blog, so I put in the laundry detergent and let the water fill up 1/2 way before adding any clothes.  I also found on another blog that if the shreds bother you, that you can put the mixture, little by little, in a food processor to make it all a powdery substance!**





The Coast is Clear

Last Friday afternoon, I had my postoperative visit with Dr. Voelkert from Periodontics of Greenville. After a brief chat about the super awesome boots Santa brought me for Christmas that I was wearing we got right on to the visit. 

These are my super adorable shoes.. They apparently make my feet look REALLY small! I still LOVE them (Thanks, Santa)

 

Anyways, back to the appointment.  Dr. Voelkert looked in my mouth briefly and told me everything was A-OK! (thank goodness!) The next step was to get my stitches removed.  The first thing I asked the really sweet dental assistant (I'm not sure if that's what they are called) was if it was going to hurt.  She assured me that I would feel only some pressure as she was removing them.  YAY! So, she starts and halfway through the tugging I heard her breath deep with a UGH! I thought to myself, this can't be good.  Apparently my stitches were wrapped around my teeth so well it was hard to get the removed.  After she called another dental assistant over to help, she finally was able to successfully remove my stitches! I got word from the Dr. that I could eat whatever I wanted as long as I could keep the sharp, hard foods to the opposite side of my mouth that my surgery was performed!- Score! I've been eating won tons, chips and salsa, hamburgers, etc. etc.  It's all so bad, but so very good!  I am VERY careful when I eat, breaking everything in small pieces. 

I go back for another visit in about 2 1/2 weeks!  I'm still praying that everything continues to heal properly and that I have no complications! 

On another note, I will be going to Columbia this Saturday with Ashley & Noah.  We are going to do a little shopping and watch a baseball scrimmage that will be taking place.  I think it's a baseball scrimmage.  I am VERY excited about this! I love baseball... the players... the uniforms... ha! Seriously though, the Gamecocks have had a phenomenal run at this baseball thing and I'm excited to see them in action!

Under the Knife

I am planning on getting my teeth fixed within the next few years.  This will be a long process, but I believe in my heart that it will be something that I will be happy about and have no regrets. 

To start off, I will explain to you what I will be going through.  I still have a baby tooth.. yes, I said it.  Most people find this weird, but it is what it is.  My "adult" tooth is still in the roof of my mouth, just hanging out.  In order to fix this, it will require some maneuvering of my teeth, and so forth.  This will also take a surgery to remove the baby tooth, and to put a bracket of some sorts on the adult tooth that will slowly, be brought down. 

I had to have surgery #1 this past Friday.  What was it for?  I had to have a tissue graft, which means they took tissue from the roof of my mouth and placed it on my gums, next to the spot where my baby tooth is.  The periodontist recommended this surgery because he felt that the tissue I currently had might not be enough to support the adult tooth once it goes into place.  So, surgery #1 was completed.  How do I feel? I am in pain, sore, achy.  I am wearing a plastic retainer to protect the site where the tissue was removed and I can barely eat anything.  My saving grace has been applesauce (with cinnamon), mac-n-cheese, oatmeal, and rainbow sherbert.  YUM! I have to be on a "soft" food diet for the next 2 weeks so pray that I can make it through.  It actually hasn't been too bad, because the pain I am experiencing takes away from my appetite.

I called the nurse today, because I always think wayyy to much about stuff.  Am I taking care of my mouth? Should it still hurt? Will it get infected? I'm way over paranoid.  The nurse assured me that day 3-4 is when the pain normally peaks and that they felt that everything during my surgery was definitely a success and that I should not get any infections, whatsoever.  I'll be keeping my fingers crossed.  I go back next Friday for the postoperative visit.

After my gums heal (approximately 8 weeks) I can technically start my orthodontic treatment.  It's been a while since I went to see the orthodontist, so I may get a few things wrong, or leave out details.  But, if I remember correctly, the first thing they will do is give me a spacer (an appliance that spaces out some of my teeth).  This will help get my teeth ready for the braces.  I will then have braces put on (clear on top, normal on the bottom teeth).  Once my teeth have moved and have enabled my "adult" tooth to replace my "baby" tooth, I will then have another surgery.  This will expose my "adult" tooth, and get things rolling for it to be brought down to chill with the other teeth in my mouth. 

This process is going to take yearss, literally.  I am praying, hoping, dreaming, that it will take less time than expected, but with my luck it will take longer. 

Until I finish with all this madness, please bear with me.  Excuse my lack of manners while eating, my hard time pronouncing certain words and letters.  Please, please, please pray that everything goes smoothly during this process.  This is something that I have ignored for years and years, but to be honest with myself, this was nothing that was just going to "disappear".  Like I said earlier, I know deep down that I will be 100% happier with myself once everything is over with.  I always admire people with a pretty smile, and I KNOW that with my incredibly awesome doctors, they will do wonders on my smile!

Stella Bella... my Christmas Miracle

I always told myself that I would keep blogging on a regular basis... has that happened? Nope.  My last blog was in October and it is mid January.  Holy Canoli! Time sure does fly.  I had probably one of the best Christmas's of my life.  I got to spend it with my wonderful family, all who mean the world to me.  Not only did I just get to spend time with my family, I adopted a new family member. 

Meet Stella:

Stella is what I like to call my Christmas Miracle.  She came into my life on Friday, December 23rd.  I had been keeping up with her on Facebook through the City of Abbeville's Animal Services Page.  I had spoke with the Animal Patrol Officer on a few different occasions, checking on her progress as far as any interest from other individuals.

I had ALWAYS wanted a small dog, but just did not know if the timing was right.  I am single, working full time 8-5 Monday-Friday, living in an apartment.  Was this right for me?  A dog?  So much responsibility? So many questions, concerns.  I often doubted myself thinking that if I had so many questions, then it was obvious that the timing wasn't right.

I work for the City, so I knew that the Animal Shelter was going to be closed Friday, Dec. 23rd and Monday, Dec. 26th for the Christmas Holidays.  I also knew that Stella was still at the shelter.  Leaving work Thursday evening, I was heartbroken knowing that a sweet innocent dog was going to be all alone at the Shelter for days on end (mind you it was also forecasted to rain and be cold throughout the break).  I literally called Chris, the Animal Patrol Officer, at 5:15 that Thursday night.  My initial thought was just to get her out of the Shelter and "foster" her throughout the Holidays.  I had no intention of formally adopting her right away...I got his voicemail.  Thursday night, I finally got to speak with him and he said that it would be perfectly fine to take her for the holiday and to see if it would be a match.

Friday morning, I took a drive to the Shelter where I picked up Stella.  From there I took her to my sisters house (I couldn't take her to my apartment due to a deposit and filling out paperwork).  I also took her to the vet at Emeral City Animal Hospital, where she needed shots and a check up since she had no records or history.  While at the Vet, I was informed that Stella is around 8 years old (definitely an oldER dog) and that she has a tumor on her stomache (something that will need to be removed and checked to see if it is indeed cancer).  This broke my heart.  Again, I had many things running through my mind.  Is this something I can do?   Can I pay for surgeries and medicial care that Stella needs?  Will I have enough time to spend with her, to love her, to care for her?  After those thoughts crossed through my mind, I began to think about what would happen if I did NOT keep her.  Will anyone adopt her?  Will anyone love her?  Will they put her to sleep?  That last question replayed over and over in my head.  It was a hard decision and one that I shed many tears over, speaking to my mom about it a lot.  I needed guidance, help.  I didn't know if I could make a decision that big by myself. 

I finally reached a conclusion, thanks to my mom's help and advice.  I would keep Stella and love her and give her the life she deserves for as long as she lives.  If she turns out to have cancer, I will love her and be there for her. 

She is my heart and soul and she was one of the hardest decisions of my life, thus far.  But, one thing is for sure and that is: I have no regrets and she has been the best decision of my life.

This is Stella and Mia (my best friends dog) at the park

Family Matters

I've been busy, busy, busy so far this week, so I have had zero time to blog about my fantastic weekend.  As you know Ashley, Noah, and I road tripped it to Ohio to visit family and to attend my cousin, Amanda's, Baby Shower.

We drove throughout the night, leaving Thursday around 8:30 PM.  We arrived in Greenville around 5:30 AM.  Once we made it to my Grandpa's house, we all crashed until about 10 oclock.  We had just enough time to get ready before my Mom made it in (she flew in from Kansas).  Once she arrived, we got to visit and then later went to the Grocery Store to get items and food for the cookout that we had Saturday night.  Friday was full of visiting with all of my family.  My Aunt Jennifer and Uncle Tim arrived and we all ordered in pizza and had a great time visiting.

Saturday morning was filled with a lot to do.  It started out with going to my cousin, Jeff's football game.  He is the quarterback for their reserve team and I enjoyed getting to see him play well.. They won 20-8, I believe.

This is a picture from the game of Ashley and Noah.

We went straight from the game to Amanda's Baby Shower.  We had a great time seeing more of our family that we had not seen yet and we got to visit with them.

Me, Mom, and Ashley

Ashley, Amanda, and Me

After the shower, we all went back to my Grandpa's for a cookout.  We had tons of food, a fire pit in the backyard, and made smores later that night! 

Kristin, Me, and Ashley

I had a blast this weekend and I was very sad to see it come to an end so fast.  After two fun filled days, it was time to leave and I was NOT looking forward to the 9-10 hour drive home.  Since this past weekend has come and gone, I can now look forward to Thanksgiving, when I will go to visit my parents in Kansas!