A fall to mark the anniversary of a burn.

I need to tell you folks that there is not so good news about ‘Sela.  On 25^th July we received the visit of a nice young man who brought braces to support ‘Sela’s knees.  We both opted for the most comfortable ones and she walked around feeling more secure and less fearful that her legs would buckle under her.  Then, I went upstairs to prepare my afternoon class having left her in the kitchen on the way to her bathroom.  Ten minutes later I heard a big commotion and came down in a flash with hands to my heart, fearing the worse.  I found her flat on the floor, on her side, orange Jello splattered all over the kitchen floor.  I checked her thoroughly, she, was stunned but alert, there was no blood, nothing to indicate a broken limb.  So, I gently placed a pillow under her head, covered her with a blanket and called 911.  I washed away the Jello from and around her, and sat next to her to wait for the sirens for I was told not to move her at all –as if I have the strength to do so.  Then, the doorbell rang and in came my friend Teresa –who had promised to visit me- followed by the firemen’s truck.  She took charge of Renny by putting him on a leash and I showed five young, very strong, firemen to the kitchen. 

She was not incoherent, but a bit confused, dizzy and shocked.  When asked she answered her name, could not understand the year question, but when the name of the President came up, she touched her face with her index finger and said… the black one.   So, all seemed well, until they placed a collar on her neck, as she complained of hitting her head against the kitchen wooden cabinets.  She did not like that at all, and even less when three more men arrived in an ambulance and started checking blood sugars, pressure etc., and eventually placed her on a long plastic yellow tray, then tied her up like a papoose.  She complained bitterly of being dropped but she had no other choice but to lie down and let them do their job, as she said cuidado, cuidado!

While all this was going on, I called Roberto, but did not get an answer, so I dialed Melissa’s phone and as she was off, she came over before we all left for the ER at Carolina’s Pineville.  As we came down the driveway, we found our neighbor and friend, Mercedes, who had seen the commotion outside, and she also followed us to the ER.  There, we were asked to wait while ‘Sela was being assessed, and then Melissa and I were shown in.  Teresa and Mercedes kindly stayed with us for a while.

When we saw Sela, she had been given painkillers and was beginning to float in and out of consciousness.  She was then taken to X rays and about an hour later the doctor came in and told us that there was no fracture visible in the X ray and that we could go home.  We were given instructions and painkiller prescriptions and asked to have her doctor follow up in a couple of days.

Roberto was waiting for us here when we came back and helped us bring her up from the garage.  She had difficulty climbing unto the lift chair, but eventually we put her in bed and she slept soundly for about four hours.  I then gave her some supper and another pain killer and we both went to bed.  I have the baby monitor in my room and can hear a pin drop, so I saw no need to sleep next to her, with the puppy.

On Sunday evening ‘Sela started to have pain on her lower back.  I made an appointment with her new doctor –our previous doctor retired- and off we went on Tuesday afternoon. The doctor saw no reason for any more painkillers than she already takes for her arthritis, and told ‘Sela to rest and put heat on her back.  Then during the week, the pain got progressively worse.  Carla came back from Atlanta on Wednesday, and I was relieved to have someone to lean on, once more.  When we heard her screams each time she moved, we decided to make yet another appointment with the doctor and Sela was given a different painkiller and a muscle relaxant.  Roberto came with us this time, as ‘Sela can hardly move by herself and is back to driving her little scooter.  The doctor told us that if the pain continues, ‘Sela might have to see a spine specialist as she may have a hairline fracture or a pinched nerve that did not show up at the ER.  We came back and put her to bed and went off to fetch the new medicine with heavy hearts.  The doctor told us that it was very possible that she could not have surgery but that the spine doctor may decide to give her an epidural or cortisone shot to alleviate the pain.  

Since then she’s been taken something called Tramadol and a muscle relaxant at night.  She sleeps most of the day and is very lethargic and incoherent when awake.  Roberto, Carla and I have decided that she might as well sleep it off instead of suffering with that horrible pain.  She sleeps through the night with the muscle relaxant, and we move her around during the day for her meals and bathroom trips.  I called the neurosurgeon that did my back, and she’s got an appointment for the end of the month –yes, not before.  Meanwhile she needs to be flat on her bed and take her painkiller and apply the heat pad on her back. 

Carla, Roberto and I take turns as we go through our daily routine and run errands.  ‘Sela is in a lot of pain but only when she moves.  She has incredible dreams which become part of her reality.  Today she told us how she and Angelita were here having been taken prisoners and interrogated by Juan Tomas Diaz.  Carla and I listen and try not to contradict her, and we all laugh, which is good medicine for all. 

I will keep you all informed through e-mails and the blog.  

Renny O Whiteoak arrives.

I’ve not written in this blog for some time, for I’ve been busy with students, Carla’s move here, Otto’s death and the arrival of our new puppy.  Even though I had not planned for a new puppy so soon, the breeder called to say she would have a red one for the beginning of June.  I thought of it and decided that it would give me plenty of time to train him, until I went back to work with students in the fall. 

Renny at 4 weeks old.

So ‘Renny’ was born on April 6^th and four
weeks later we went to visit him, having gotten lost several times trying to find a place called Bostic, not far from Forest City.  It was a miracle we finally ended up in the breeder’s house, even though she was on the phone to guide us there, road by road.   The puppy was as cute as expected and had a soft light reddish coat.  We met the mom who has long hair and is very red and lively.  We fell in love.  Carla declared herself the godmother.  I decided to name him Renny Otto Whiteoak, from the Jalna novels by Mazo de la Roche.  Renny was the main character and had red hair. I added Otto for obvious reasons. 

Renny at 9 weeks.

Renny came to us the 8^th of June.  He had lost some of his coat due to a ‘fungus’.  I had to bathe him twice a week with a thick shampoo for two weeks.   After I lathered him up, I had to hold him for 10 minutes so that the medicine would do its thing, no easy task with a slippery puppy.  Eventually he grew the most beautiful reddish coat, almost like the color of a fox.  He is quite a character, very lively, mischievous and with a strong personality.  Just like Jalna’s Renny.  Sela is in love, as we all are, but he’s quite a handful for her to manage.  He steals her slippers and socks, and bites her too.

Renny at 14 weeks.

I’ve decided to put him on obedience classes and we have learned to sit, to look at one’s eyes, and now to walk along side me.  I learn how to do it, and then teach him each day, twice a day.  He’s taken to the woods which are covered in ivy, and I’ve had to install some sort of fence to keep him out.  We are afraid of snakes or spiders biting him.

Renny is now 16 weeks old!

I had forgotten how hard it is to train and take care of a puppy.  We shall see what happens when Carla returns from Atlanta and realizes we must all discipline him.  Renny has gotten used to playing rough with her and taking off her hair bow and biting; all unaccepted behavior that most not be allowed.   As much as we miss Otto, little Renny has come to fill the emptiness he left.  Some of his behavior and manners are similar to Otto, but Renny is more independent, determined and quite fearless.

Goodbye sweet Otto.

Since my last entry our dear, sweet Otto has left us.  He began slowing down, sleeping a lot more, not coming up the stairs.  Then it went on to a lot of coughing, panting and difficulty in breathing.   Dr Duckwall put up his medication and then he could not hold his pee any more, and was embarrassed and sad.  He lost his tremendous appetite and I had to cut up his food in little bits, and soften it with warm water.  So, the night of 19^th March I stayed up trying to make him comfortable and begging St. Francis of Assissi to take him.  I would tell him to let go and rest, but he was so determined, he hung on, and drank water and even ate a little bit.  At times I thought he had gone, and felt his heartbeat ever so soft and then another bout of coughing and hard breathing would shake him.  In the morning, I took Otto to see Dr D. and he was placed in an oxygen tent and given more diuretics.  Dr D and I talked and decided that we did not want him to deteriorate further and be in distress before leaving us. It was an unreal time, like it wasn’t me that was deciding this.  But, after he let me sit with him for a while to say goodbye and sent him off to doggie heaven, with many kisses and hugs, I did give him up.  He was half asleep, having been given a sedative, but still he looked at me before he was taken away, with those deep brown eyes that always talked to me.  That was the hardest thing to do, the saddest thing I’ve done, for Otto was with us for 13 years and 6 months, and he was part of my life, my family, our household.  I had called Florence to be with ‘Sela, since Michael did not answer his phone after text messages and phone messages, and Roberto was sick.  Florence stayed with ‘Sela until I returned and then began our life without Otto.  I have cried so much for his loss, I still do because I miss his love, his little body close to mine, his barks.  He loved us so and we did him, it’s so hard not to see him with us.  ‘Sela is lost without him and keeps feeling his little body next to her.  Otto spent most afternoons with her while I was in class and followed her like a little escort, everywhere she went.

On Thursday morning, Dr D brought Otto and we buried him in the garden, under two elms on the west side.  We then placed a big slab of rock that was there on top of his resting place.  Florence was with ‘Sela watching from her bedroom window, where now she can see him every day.  I will plant more flowering shrubs later on, but have covered the ground with pine chips.  I bought a small statue of St Francis and placed it next to him and put up a little solar lamp that shines at night.  I cannot still accept life without Otto for our lives and routines seemed at times to revolve around his.   My heart is heavy with sadness, it just hangs like a piece of lead between my breasts and it hurts.  Goodbye my sweet Otto, goodbye.

This was taken by Dr Duckwall when I was saying goodbye on 20 March, 2013

Goodbye sweet Otto.

Since my last entry our dear, sweet Otto has left us.  He began slowing down, sleeping a lot more, not coming up the stairs.  Then it went on to a lot of coughing, panting and difficulty in breathing.   Dr Duckwall put up his medication and then he could not hold his pee any more, and was embarrassed and sad.  He lost his tremendous appetite and I had to cut up his food in little bits, and soften it with warm water.  So, the night of 19^th March I stayed up trying to make him comfortable and begging St. Francis of Assissi to take him.  I would tell him to let go and rest, but he was so determined, he hung on, and drank water and even ate a little bit.  At times I thought he had gone, and felt his heartbeat ever so soft and then another bout of coughing and hard breathing would shake him.  In the morning, I took Otto to see Dr D. and he was placed in an oxygen tent and given more diuretics.  Dr D and I talked and decided that we did not want him to deteriorate further and be in distress before leaving us. It was an unreal time, like it wasn’t me that was deciding this.  But, after he let me sit with him for a while to say goodbye and sent him off to doggie heaven, with many kisses and hugs, I did give him up.  He was half asleep, having been given a sedative, but still he looked at me before he was taken away, with those deep brown eyes that always talked to me.  That was the hardest thing to do, the saddest thing I’ve done, for Otto was with us for 13 years and 6 months, and he was part of my life, my family, our household.  I had called Florence to be with ‘Sela, since Michael did not answer his phone after text messages and phone messages, and Roberto was sick.  Florence stayed with ‘Sela until I returned and then began our life without Otto.  I have cried so much for his loss, I still do because I miss his love, his little body close to mine, his barks.  He loved us so and we did him, it’s so hard not to see him with us.  ‘Sela is lost without him and keeps feeling his little body next to her.  Otto spent most afternoons with her while I was in class and followed her like a little escort, everywhere she went.

On Thursday morning, Dr D brought Otto and we buried him in the garden, under two elms on the west side.  We then placed a big slab of rock that was there on top of his resting place.  Florence was with ‘Sela watching from her bedroom window, where now she can see him every day.  I will plant more flowering shrubs later on, but have covered the ground with pine chips.  I bought a small statue of St Francis and placed it next to him and put up a little solar lamp that shines at night.  I cannot still accept life without Otto for our lives and routines seemed at times to revolve around his.   My heart is heavy with sadness, it just hangs like a piece of lead between my breasts and it hurts.  Goodbye my sweet Otto, goodbye.

This was taken by Dr Duckwall when I was saying goodbye on 20 March, 2013

‘Sela’s last mischief.

 On Wednesday, 30 January I woke up around 9 am and heard a drip sound through the intercom.  I thought it might be rain for it was a grey morning, so I did not pay much attention and prepared breakfast for Otto and me.  After having it, around 9:30 I went in to Sela’s room so that Otto could cuddle with her while she woke up, as usual.  I came in the room with Otto in my arms and when I walked around to the foot of her bed my feet got wet.  Having placed Otto on her bed I splashed to the bathroom where the dripping got louder and there it was: about two inches of water covered the bathroom floor.  Water had sipped to her room and the carpet was soaked from the beds to… let’s just say one third of her room was flooded.  I saw that one of the sinks was full and to my horror the faucet was on!!!!  So here was a rude, cold and very wet awakening for Sela.  She said she had washed her hands at around 7:30 am and probably let the faucet on.  But, let me tell you people that must have been a good 4 to 5 hour dripping for the amount of water.  I spent a good part of the morning with two lots of towels, stumping the carpet, collecting the heavy dripping towels, to a spin cycle in the washer, then to the dryer, while I stomped with the other lot of towels.  Let me tell you I was done with exercising when noon came around.
 The flood experts came in around 1:30 and told us that they needed to get fans a dehumidifiers going,  and that I should call my insurance because the bathroom floor was showing 100% humidity/wet –don’t know what kind of gage that was, but it beeped loud and measured 100%- and that the floor would have to come up, sooner than later.  So… while I was having four classes in a row from 3 to 7pm, Roberto took charge of the situation while the men came in and out, took Sela and furniture out of the room and proceeded to install three fans in her room plus a dehumidifier and one fan in the bathroom plus another dehumidifier.   The breakers tripped once or twice because they got overloaded or something.  Roberto kept coming up to the school room to give me details and get me to talk to the insurance people.  Of course nothing was said about the fact that ‘Sela had stopped up the sink and the draining hole on the edge of it so that creepy crawlies won’t come up and give her a fright.  We said that there was a flood because the sink had backed up.
 When I finished my classes and went in I found Roberto and ‘Sela in bed trying to figure out whether she could sleep in there with the noise of the machinery.  I thought that the humidity had overflowed to their brains.  So we had a big argument about the fact that she could certainly not sleep in there with the wind blowing her hair off her head, with the dust that was flying around from the fans under the carpet, the amount of wires and tubes from dehumidifiers…  I told Sela I would call tio Carlitos so that he could talk some sense to her about this because she would not listen to me and Roberto saw no problem.   So finally, after we ate something, I called Florence and told her that ‘Sela needed to sleep over and surprisingly, Sela went as quiet as a lamb.  I suppose she realized that I wasn’t going to give in.
 I had to wait until the storm passed and still raining I took her to Florence and Brian’s house.   Since then, she’s been staying over there until the machinery is out.   On Saturday the floor was taken off except the around the toilet.  The machinery was left in place until Monday.  The insurance adjuster is coming on Monday morning.  Just pray that it covers the damages and that the replacing of the floor and the installing of the padding and stretching and nailing of her bedroom carpet is done soon.  We begged them to do so stating that she was handicapped and in need of her bedroom and bathroom.  We shall see because apparently the company I called is not one of the ‘preferred’ contractors of the insurance so we’ll have to deal with new people.  Here are some photographs.  

Bedroom

Bathroom floor