Lucy's Nightmare Weekend

Last weekend, I had Charlie and Lucy scheduled for their 6 mo. vet appt. Since this is the first visit in Decatur - its a new doctor. We found one in February that we really liked when Lucy hurt her paw and we needed to get an x-ray to ensure that everything was okay.

Anyway, both were due for a heartworm test and all the fixings. When the doctor started administring the shots, I noticed that the called it something different than what I was used to. In Indy, its called DHLLP but here they say its the same vaccination but in a different formulation - called DAP. After they got those, they needed to get the kennel cough (even though they've never been boarded a day in their life) because they are around other dogs and wanted them to be protected in case we take them to a dog park. This too was different - its always been administered by shot but over here it's a liquid that goes down their nose - to which they sneeze half right back up. Not sure how that works - but whatever.

Their appt was at 11a and 1130a - when I got back home, Jason and I decided to go to Spfld to look at a new vehicle. I told him before we left that I really don't like leaving them after they have gotten shots in case anything happens. (This is called jinxing yourself!) Anyway, we got back home around 8p. Nothing was atypical - both dogs seemed fine. Around 930p, I was watching TV when I hear a "BLLLLAAAAHHH" behind me. I turned around to see that Lucy had just gotten sick on the carpet. I immediately went to the kitchen to start cleaning up the mess when I returned to see that Lucy looked weird from a distance. As I got closer, I noticed her hair sticking up in spots on her face. She had HIVES all over her head! I, of course, panic. I yell to Jason (he went to bed about 10 minutes earlier) to come and help b/c something is wrong with Lucy.

We contact the vet who tells us that she is probably having an allergic reaction to her vaccines. She tells us to give her a tablet of childrens benedryl - which of course we have none of b/c we don't have children! DUH - so off Jason goes to the store while I follow her around the house as she precedes to continue vomitting. She was digging her head into the carpet just trying to get some relief so I held her and rubbed her. Jason and I had to force the pill down her throat b/c she had no interest and kept spitting it back up. I was so nervous that she was going to choke on it.

To make a long story shorter - after an hour, the swelling on her face went down so we went to bed after 11p. I woke back up at 1245p when I heard her jump off our bed. I turned the light on to find that her entire body now was covered in hives! So back we go to the phone to figure out what to do....another dose.....and at 11am the next morning when the hives are gone but the swelling is....another dose. This poor little precious 12 lb. baby had a rough night....and so did Jason and I with very little sleep.

The good news - is that she is back to her spunky self! It definitely gave both of us a scare and we are thankful that she is okay. We now know to have the doctor give her benedryl before her shots and to keep an eye on her after she gets them. What was so unusual to the doctor is that they usually see a reaction no more than 6 hours later.....this didn't happen for about 10 hours! She is a tough cookie!

Greetings from Cedar Rapids...

I am writing from my hotel room in this very windy city! The hightlight of my day was going to the worlds largest truck stop - oh boy! Anyway, just sitting here thinking I've got nothing but time on my hands so what the heck - I'll write another blog and fill you all in on my weekend.

It started off pretty bad. Jason and I were to leave for Indianapolis on Thursday after I got off work. Well, I get a phone call from him on Wednesday telling me that the has done something to his ankle and he's on the way to the doctor. Turns out, he sprained his ankle pretty bad and needed some TLC and ice. We went to Indy anyway but if he had any free moments, I made sure he was sitting with his foot up and icing it. He seems to be doing better and doctor gave him a work release today so he will be back at it tomorrow. Nothing a little Advil and cold pack can't fix.

Anyway, we stayed with his parents but weren't really there too much. Lots of people to see and things to do. I got my hair cut about 3 inches, bought some new running shoes, and met up with some old colleagues from Lilly. Jason and I were also able to meet up with his buddy Jeff Czap and family. They are awesome and we had a great time as usual. I just hate how weekends that you look forward too go by so quickly.

I will be in Cedar Rapids until Wednesday. I am here for what is called a QC Cell mtg - but basically, its all of the Lab Superintendents from all the plants meet to discuss instrumentation, cost savings, sample testing practices, etc. I am not Decatur's Lab Superintendent but was told by the Divisional Quality Manager and my boss, the Quality Manager, to be here....so here I sit. I have implemented a program into the lab that I was asked to present to the other plants since we were the guinea pigs - so I guess I will have something to do at this day and a half meeting.

Just missing my hubby and children. Okay - off to bed. More later.

Happenings for the end of March...

Ok - what's new in wonderful Decatur.....

Let's see last weekend, I was able to trade my on-call Sunday with another supervisor so that Jason and I could go into Spfld to the home show. We stopped by Meaghan's to hang out with Jack for a little bit (Oh yeah, Meaghan (my matron of honor) and her husband Steve welcomed Jack Mitchell Buecker on Feb 26 - he's pretty cute and I'm told he got the middle name from his Aunt Junebug (muah)!) and then we were off to pick up my mom to hang out with us at the convention center and have lunch.

Anyway, getting to the point - or rather the funny part of the story - Sunday brought severe weather into Spfld with very high gusting winds and large amts of rain. As we were walking into the convention center, Jason had his umbrella out and pointed in front of him to break the wind so that he could walk. What he didn't see was the street sign in front of him...and BAM or rather, SMACK right into it. He's got a good shiner on his arm and get this -- he bent the sign! I think its hilarious!! He doesn't and still complains that his arm hurts. It's like a bird flying into a newly Windexed sliding glass door! Picture that!! But the weather was serious enough to have them send us all to the basement of the convention center until the weather passed.

So at the show, we found some people to come out and give us quotes on getting new windows/siding/gutters. We won't be able to do it all now but we just want to know what it will cost when we are ready and able to do so.

We are getting excited for our trip back to Indy next weekend. It will be a nice break from the ordinary days we have and a chance to see friends and family. The following weekend, we are thinking of trading in Jason's truck for a Chevy Traverse. We'll see how that goes! Chat with you all soon!