Gizzy in Heaven!

Gizzy in Heaven!
I love you forever and ever, Amen!

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Saturday, May 19, 2012

We're still here...

Sorry it took a while to post again. I've started my Hep C treatment and have completed almost two weeks of it. I have some, but not all, of the side effects, but I've got a long ways to go (between 6 and 12 months.) I've been feeling VERY weak and just a few quick steps will send my heart racing. I'm so glad I had an echo cardiogram done before I started these drugs (Incivek, Peginterferon and Ribavarin.)

I've not been online very much, trying to get used to the new me (whatever that means!) On Monday I have to go for blood work to check my hemoglobin to be sure I'm not getting anemic (a very common side effect) and have my Incivek dosage adjusted if necessary. Incivek is the new drug that was just approved for use in 2012 and is designed to knock your immune system down so that the other two drugs can attack the virus and I've been told they have been very successful with this medication. Out of 20 patients at my doctor's office, only one had to abandon treatment because it was not effective.

Meanwhile, everything is status quo! Not much going on here. Romeow still enjoys walking on the leash and climbing trees:



He seems to be driving me more nuts than usual because when I can't take him out for our regular walk, he gets so frustrated and starts to act like a wild child (understandably) but when I'm feeling too tired to go, then we all have to just wait it out. I put him outside in his cage and Weezie on her leash so they can watch the neighborhood and get some fresh air. He's just spoiled rotten and doesn't know when he's got it made. He's almost eight months old now and still bites sometimes! (We're working on it!)


Look, how he has chewed up the outer edge of his basket. That rascal!


Weezie lounging with a squeaky toy!

Weezie continues to be a good, mellow girl and sleeps all day unless she's sitting outside watching people or we're walking around the lake. We still go to the Nursing Home together, but I have missed a couple of visits while starting this treatment. I told them to not write us off and we are coming back next week. Weezie makes up for the hyperness of Romeow, otherwise I would not be able to handle two over active pets right now. They just have to suffer with me through this. I still walk with them, but not as far and often as before. Thankfully this is only temporary. Next month I'm going to the eye doctor for my past due exam. Having visual problems is also a side effect of the medication, but it's reversible or else I would not sacrifice my vision for a Hep C cure.



I still think of my Gizzy boy every single day and miss him when ever I see his face. I just recently started to enjoy nature again and manage to walk around the lake without crying, but it still hurts and I suppose, it always will. My doctor put me on Zoloft, because depression is a very common side effect of the medications that I am taking. I don't feel any different, but as long as I don't harbor suicidal thoughts, then the medicine is working. (I never have had those thoughts before, but the medication is known to do that to people, so we just wanted to take precautions and put me on it during treatment.)


(I remember you every time I walk past this table, Gizzy, and see you sitting there in my mind's eye! You are sorely missed. Mama loves you forever and ever!)


Also, this year, I'm turning 60 on June 16 and I have posted a Birthday Wish on my Facebook account. It's a simple wish of wanting to help homeless animals. If anyone wants to participate and contribute, here is the link:


Wishing you all a most wonderful weekend and God bless you!



13 comments:

Val said...

So glad to hear from you!! I have missed your posts! Hope you feel better soon. I am also going through some health stuff! Rotator cuff tear, frozen shoulder, bone spur. Grrrr! Not fun. Praying for you.

Moois van mie said...

love love love that cat!!!!!!!!!!

Annie Jeffries said...

Dear Doris,

How good to catch up with you. I wad checking out Facebook and found this. Not sure why I didn't get a follow alert that you posted but no matter. FB did the trick.

Wishing you well on your efforts to regain your health.

Warm Hugs,
Annie

Kerrie said...

Oh my poor Doris! I had no idea that you have been ill! So sorry and will be praying for you. I am also sorry that you are still mourning poor little Gizzy. Grief is very painful and I can only hope that time passing will help you, too. Love and blessings, Kerrie

sprinkles said...

Good to hear from you and I'm glad that your treatments seem to be going so well. It's too bad you're so left so exhausted from it, though. My neighbor also has Hep C. I don't think he's doing anything about it though. He's got a bunch of other medical problems he's working on first.

Happy Early Birthday!

Karin said...

So good to hear from you and how you are coping during your treatment. It is probably a good thing that you have a strong commitment to your pets - it keeps your mind occupied - at least it would me! Wishing you good health and joy and happiness to fill your days! Hugs!

Chatty Crone said...

I am thrilled to hear from you. I am so worried about you taking that medicine. Are you sure that you need it? It sounds worse the Hepatitis. What will happen if you don't take it?
I am so worried about you! sandie

Ann said...

So good to see a post from you today. Those medications can sure get you some times. I'll be thinking of you and wishing you well.
Romeow sure has gotten big and what a handsome boy he is. He's so cute in that picture in the bakset.

marianne said...

Hi Doris,
I am sorry you are going through such a difficult time!
I am happy you have Weezie and Mr Red Rascal to cheer you up. I know Romeow can be a pain in the pain sometimes but I bet he can also make you laugh with his actions sometimes.
Hang in there dear Hope you feel better soon
LOve
M

glor said...

Doris, sorry have not been here for a bit and I'm sad to hear that you are not feelng well and takig meds. Know that my prayers are with you. Blessings.

Deborah said...

Hi Doris...I haven't posted on my blog in a lomg time neither...I was diagnosed with cancer few months ago and have been taking chemo in the form of a pill...so I understand how you feel weak at times.
I have to admit that I came right to your blog today just to see how you were doing...my heart ached for you when you lost Gizzy...I cried with you with each blog post...I lost my boy Dolce a year ago...I believe you wrote to me also when I talked about it on my blog...I sobbed myself to sleep for weeks...he was my best friend...just like you with Gizzy.

Please know I think of you often and know I understand your pain...I hope your meds help you and that you begin to feel like youself soon.

Blessings...Deborah

Janine said...

Hallo Doris,
ich wünsch dir eine schöne Woche.
Alles Liebe
Janine

Janine said...

Hallo Doris,
deine kleinen Lieblinge sind so goldig.