Just a request.

[jazzstan]

I always fondly remember my dear departed wire-hair terrier mixed mutt as setting a standard for unconditional love miles beyond what I could ever achieve. In that, a great teacher she was.

[walter529]

I appreciate that, Jazz. We feel that way abt Curry, too. I'd swear that li'l guy could read our minds, comforting us when we needed it. (Check https://www.facebook.com/groups/2415505 ... 133791143/ if you don't know the story) MAN!! I'm gonna miss him.

[walter529]

A wonderful ENT visit Monday to look further in2 my balance issues. From what I gather, this test is not pleasant. We shall see. I am getting tired of walking like a drunk. But, that's why I have a cane, to keep me propped up.

[walter529]

Holy crud!! It was much worse than I expected. Sitting on the exam table was fine. They had me chase illumined dots across a bar w/ only my eyes, had me find a blue dot among the previous (of which there wasn't 1) and a couple of other tests. Then they blew cool and warm air into my ears. That was fine except for the pressure they put on the skin of my ear canal. That hurt. Then, to orient myself, they had me say a male/female name for each letter they said. Fine.
Then, they had me slide off the exam table. MAN!! My world slid off its cracker. I could not walk straight. Felt kinda like my brain had shifted to the opposite side of my head and some1 was stirring it.
But, I'm good, now. Just don't ever want to do that, again.
I'll get the results 2day.

[walter529]

The doc said my balance issues are not due to inner ear, or anything they could medicate or repair w/ surgery. He did say it is deeper than inner ear and recommended "Balance Yoga" or "Balance Pilates". He aid they'd had favorable results from both. So, next I'm off to search up DVD's on a new therapy. As long as it helps!

[walter529]

Well! Feb. 18, we got a call ar'nd 2:15 pm. Sarges animal shelter called us. Knowing everything that had happened with us, when they had a little yorkie mix dropped off, they called us right away. We brought him here as a "foster home" to check out the fit (His photo is at https://www.facebook.com/waltcu1996 ). His name is "Benji". We fit just great.
The groomer that trimmed him today said he's likely been abused. I noticed his acting a tad strange any time he was near my foot and I started to turn/turn around. He'd wince and cringe away from me. I don't like that!! It takes a special kinda scum to bully a 13 lb dog who just wants some attention.
Gimme a bat and some time alone w/ that scuzz ball.

[walter529]

The neurologist did some muscle reaction tests Mon.. It was shocking . He said there are signs of some neuropathy. But, he doesn't feel there's anything to worry about. He'll keep an eye on me a couple of times a yr. (One more expense). Back to the oncologist.
That's ok. Discovered some new stuff I wanna discuss w/ him. It's called a BRAF inhibitor & is normally used to treat melanoma. So, that's two drugs that are used in trtmnt of ECD that are also used for skin disorders. Hmm.

[walter529]

Strange. W/out twisting my leg, stepping in a hole or anything that could be blamed, my right calf started hurting like a really tight or pulled muscle(?). It began about a wk ago. It gets better for short periods then fires up, again. Going downhill isn't kind to it. But, coming back up to to the house is murder.
It starts off feeling tired, then begins to burn like lactic acid used to when I went on a hard run.
The hard part is next. It feels like there's a rock in my upper to mid calf & the muscle is being pulled tight over it.
The only thing that makes any sense, to me, is I had a cramp in my sleep that didn't wake me & left behind that bruised sensation that cramps do. But, why isn't it healing? Ibuprofen, Icy Hot, Aspercreme, heat & cold all work temporarily. It comes right back during walking, even on a flat surface.
I'm at a loss. Benji needs to exercise. Me, too. I'm worried more about him, though.

[walter529]

God has a wonderful sense of humor while teaching us something at the same time. I got news that I need a build up & crown on the same tooth to the tune of $$1400+. I slipped right into "I'm just a money pit" mode. Poor me!
Well, I had to pick up a scrip of Prevadent for my wonderful, climbing in cost, teeth on the way home.
While waiting, I picked up a book, "An Autobiography of God" to pass the 10 minutes the item took to bag.
I just flipped the book open, & the 1st words my eyes fell on, seriously, were, roughly, "When we worry about a situation, we immediately take it into human hands. We have not taken it to the Lord in prayer for a solution".
Right away, I smiled, chuckled at myself, looked up & said, "Thank You, Father". It really put the problem into perspective & eased my blood pressure ascent.
I'm still ticked about the price of a build-up & a crown added to my steadily climbing price tag. But, at least I know I have Someone right w/ me Who sees the problem as a drop of water, not a flood. He's good, cool & has a great sense of humor.
Oh, and a massage was recommended, w/ a gift cert., for my leg.

[walter529]

1. Okay. Most important, yesterday we had our 14th anniv. Wouldn't trade this gal for the world. She's been my support, strength & love-o-my life, especially since 6/'07 (Diagn. date).
2. Doc recommended PT for my legs, w/ a focus on strength & balance.
3. Been writing a good bit lately, and I think some of it's really good. Big deal! I know. But, w/ practice, I can perform for our church, at least. They've been on me about that for a while, anyway. What's better than singing to & for the One that gives the songs to me?