Last Swap! On September 20th we'll have our last swap of the season. We have decided to make it a little more fun by having some food. Please bring any kind of finger food, appetizer or dessert. We'll set up a table and eat and swap. We also have a request from the local teen center for some plants for their gardens, one of which is Tyler's Memorial Garden for a young man who passed tragically a few years ago. I guess we have a reputation for being generous gardeners. How true. See you Tuesday. Wish List Sept. 20, 2005 *Teen Center/TylerÂs Garden Wishes- Hosta, Coreopsis, Fall Aster, Astilbe Baptisia- Blue False Indigo- Reena Bee Balm, white- Chris D Blue Bell- Tina L., Elena Butterfly bush, pink- Lisa A., Jessica S. Butterfly bush- Colleen Butterfly weed, orange- Leah Canna, yellow- Celeste Clematis- Roxanne Clematis, pink or white- Vicki K. Hemlock seedlings- Steffie Hens and Chicks, red- Lindsay Hosta, Blue- Priyanka Hosta Sieboldiana- Allison H. Iris, twice-blooming- Leilani Lilac, dark purple- Regina, Helena Lotus- Bev K. Manure- (can never have enough)- Elaine Pachysandra- Variegated- Anne Carey Phlox, Natasha variety- Cheryl C. Plant markers- Irene Pincushion Flower- Arlene Russian Sage- Roxanne A. Water Lily- Chris M. Weigela- Variegated- Sue D. Wisteria vine- Judith L., Linda West

I learned long ago to keep POA, medical POA, living will, will, DNR, and up-to-date med-list and history available for instant access at all times. I also keep two copies of all in separate packages -- one for the paramedics and one for hospital staff if the person is transported and handed off. I keep them taped to the side of the fridge. If I have to bolt, I can grab them and go. Everyone involved with the situation knows they're there and the fridge is the first place paramedics look if I'm not there. Its important not only to have these things, but to have them instantly available when you need them. The strangers you may require to take over for you will need to know these things, probably at a time when you're not doing so well yourself. When the bad times have come I've saved untold confusion and delay by immediately supplying document copies to the people who needed them. Like lasershow, the recipients were always grateful as well as astonished to have them at the moment they were needed. With word processers, scanners, and copiers in common use it's not difficult to do this. When the bad time comes, you'll be glad to have them. And your mind will be cleared of at least that concern at all times. One more thing I regard as important is to have a stash of currency instantly available. No matter what the problem may be, I've always found currency can solve it. Holidays, weekends, middle-of-the-night. People can be induced to do things for currency they sometimes are not willing to do otherwise. Call it tips or bribes or whatever you want -- when you need something done immediately currency can accomplish what checks, credit cards, and personal assurances cannot. Maybe not fair but true.

Also highly in favor of sub-cutaneous (fluids administered under the skin, nicknamed sub-Q fluids.) I would get a second opinion, ie see another vet and ask him/her to show you how to give fluid treatment to your kitty. Or else try to prod your current vet into giving fluids a try. Be sure to use size 20 needles. For some reason most vets prefer size 18 which is a bigger diameter and uncomfortable for the patient. However they will provide 20 gage needles if you request them. My current kitty is 18 yrs old like your cat, and she gets fluids once a week. The two cats I had before her both were on fluid treatment at home (per order of my vet) first once weekly, and later twice weekly. They both lived into their 20s and the therapy vastly improved their quality of life. I also gave my little sheltie fluid treatment twice weekly for her last two years when her kidney function began to deteriorate, again as mandated by my vets. In all my CRI (chronic renal insufficient) pets, the fluids alleviated nausea, improved appetites, renewed my animals' energy, and just made my pets SO much more comfortable. If you've ever suffered from dehydration (during an illness for instance) you know how miserable this is (headache, grogginess, nausea, etc.) Once an animal becomes accustomed to receiving the fluids, they will lie quietly for the treatment. My cats have all laid on my lap and purred. I think after a few times they began to connect the therapy with feeling better immediately afterwards. I give/gave fluids while watching TV and it is a relaxing experience, not painful or stressful for me or my pets. There are a lot of instructional web sites and CRF/CRI groups right here on yahoo that can help answer questions for you. These were invaluable to me when I was just learning to give fluids. A vet tech instructed me, but it helped to also have these resources. Also there are many places who sell at a discount lactated ringer solutions (the bags of fluid) as well as 20 gage turamo needles and the lines that attach the needle to the fluid bag. However with only one kitty to treat, you're probably better off just getting your fluid supplies from your vet. Don't assume there is nothing you can do for your cat. Sub-Q fluids should vastly improve both your cat's quality of life as well as longevity. Your cat cannot get the amount of fluids needed to help counter CRI simply by drinking. Good luck and hope kitty feels better. Nutrition is important, but it comes in a pale second when treating CRI. Sub-cutaneous fluids should be the first and foremost treatment.

Satine, you really should ask your medical professional but as far as I know, tylenol is it as far as allowable over the counter meds in the days immediately before surgery. Nsaids like Advil, Aleve aren't allowed either like the aspirin products. If you are really miserable, they would likely give you a prescription product to get you by if you ask. DH worked for the first time in three weeks today! He's never been sick, never been hurt, and his work has him hiking off trail through timber 4 days a week - at 66 yrs old:). Xray of his knee showed nothing but some arthritis. MRI - at his insistence - showed a slightly torn meniscus, arthritis, bone swelling, and an old ACL injury that he didn't know he had. I looked at the torn meniscus images at the surgeons office, really interesting - of course, not my knee. I hope you do well with the repair, sounds like very often quite successful if it hasn't healed itself.