Comfort

Only about nine months ago, this cat scared me in my garage one morning, and it was several days before she would let me near enough to pet her:

Doesn't look so feral now, does she?

And, of course, there's Buster.

He's a rescue, too. From some of his behavior, I suspect he was not treated well early in life. 

It's quite a good feeling to have an animal fall asleep in your presence when once upon a time they had no reason to trust people.

Scaling new heights

Last week, I was surprised to see the black & white kitten, who I've started calling Rascal since he's usually the first to get into things or places, had gotten himself up on the top shelf of the walk in closet. Mustache kitten followed within a day or so.

It wasn't until today, though, that I saw how they got up there.

All but the yellow kitten have napped on top of the wardrobe thing hanging on the rod to the right of the first picture. They would merely climb to the top and make themselves comfortable.

Rascal, bold one that he is, took that a step further. He climbs to the top of the hanging wardrobe, then, like a rock climber below a ledge jutting out of the mountain, grabs onto the cushion stored above, swings out and pulls himself up. It was kind of remarkable, really.

To get down, Rascal just jumps from the top shelf to the top of the kennel with a big THUD — not nice in the middle of the night. I might just have to start closing the closet door when I go to bed.

Mustache kitten, on the other hand, gets down by doing the reverse of getting up — getting a hold on the cushion, swinging her legs til she gets footing on the wardrobe and then climbing down. More like sliding down the time I saw her do it, though.

I let them outside this morning — or rather, they let themselves outside this morning. I guess I didn't close the bedroom door securely after I fed them, because when I got back from a walk up the street with Buster, all the kittens and Keaton were cavorting around the tree in the back yard.

It was a nice morning, so I thought what the heck and let them stay out for probably a couple of hours. Keaton kept an eye on them, and Buster "helped." He kind of got tired of herding kittens after awhile though, and would just go lie down in the yard close enough to watch but not be part of the playtime.

The surprising thing about the morning is how unmellow the yellow kitten was. He loved being outside, and when I decided to put them back in the bedroom so I could take a nap, he slipped out of the room four times and got back outside two or three of those times. He kind of yowled the first time I put him inside, too. 

As for me, I'm doing a little better. Our walk this morning was two and a half blocks out and back, and this afternoon I got tired of lying around, so I made some lemonade concentrate and simple syrup for my tea. It kind of wore me out, but that's something, I guess. I keep having to remind myself it will take time to get back to feeling like my old self again.

Cue the 'Rocky' theme (surgery update)

Five days out from surgery and I'm feeling pretty good, really. Getting stronger each day. Fortunately, the doc was able to do the hysterectomy laparoscopically, so I just have three little incisions (one of them near/through the belly button — that's kind of weird to see) to worry about.

I was in the hospital through Thursday afternoon, and mainly they were concerned with making sure the pain was under control, that I got up walked at least once, that I peed three times (although they let me go after two) and that I passed gas. I'm sure glad I don't work in a hospital. Lots of respect for those who do.

I think I slept pretty much through Thursday after I got home, but Friday, I got up and walked around the back yard and half a block up the street with Buster staying nearby. I took painkillers a few times Friday, but was able to get through Saturday with just one, I think. I walked a lot more on Saturday, about 0.3 mile in three trips, either around the yard or just in the house. Mom stayed with me Thursday and Friday nights and helped out a lot with getting meals, feeding the critters and just being around for some support. 

I've been trying to eat fairly clean, too. Not a lot of sweets since Tuesday. I had some pudding in the hospital, and I've had some angel food cake and a couple cookies since getting home, but otherwise it's been a lot of fruit and other good stuff. I had some strawberries and bananas for when I got home, and Mom got some melons and berries the other day. This morning's breakfast is a banana-berry-green tea smoothie: 1 banana, 4 strawberries, a handful each of blueberries, raspberries and mixed greens, then a few green tea ice cubes to chill it. Pretty tasty.

Time to take a little walk with Buster, and then maybe a shower.

Juno is out of surgery already. Doc said everything went as hoped, no surgery. She will be staying overnight for observation. Thanks for all your thoughts/prayers for her. Juno's mom Emilyc

A little announcement

So I'm having surgery tomorrow. It's kind of a big deal. (WARNING: If you don't want TMI, read this summary and skip the next couple of paragraphs). Basically, I went to the doctor for something that was slightly bothersome, had a procedure and after that was done, the pathology report showed I had precancerous cells. Since I've had breast cancer, the doc recommended the troublesome parts be removed. That happens tomorrow, and I'll have to take at least a couple weeks off both jobs for recovery.

Still reading? Remember, I warned you. Here's the details.

The slightly bothersome part was periods that were lasting two weeks. So I saw a gynecologist, who recommended a D&C and endometrial ablation (pretty much what I was hoping to hear). Those procedures, done at the same time back in March, seemed to go pretty well. Except the following week, the doctor's office called and said the pathology report showed I had precancerous cells in my uterus. I had my oncologist look at the report to get her opinion, and she agreed a hysterectomy would be a good idea. 

OK, I'll try not to get too TMI again if you're skipping to here. I'm not too worried about the surgery itself. The GYN gave me a 50-50 chance of having to do it by incision, which would mean several weeks off both jobs. I'm hoping they don't have to do it that way, because that second paycheck is kind of necessary, and that's the one I'd have to take the most time off from if they cut me open.

I think I've got everything done I need to get done before tomorrow morning. Mom knows how to feed the cats, she'll be around for whatever help I need afterwards, and I've got (hopefully) plenty of reading material. I'm just more concerned about being bored than how well I'll heal.

Anyway, whatever good thoughts/vibes/prayers you want to send my way will be appreciated. I'll be at the hospital bright and early Wednesday morning, and will get updates out somehow as I can.