Update on Achilles

Salaam Blogistan.....I first want to say THANK YOU for all of your emails, comments, posts, voicemail messages, phone calls, and general outpour of support and warmth. It is amazing how good it makes me feel to know that I'm not alone, and none of us alone, in our time of need. I have an incredible support system at home, and I thank God for that, but that doesn't mean I don't cherish, need, and appreciate all that comes from you and all of my friends. So, thank you again.

Achilles spent another restless night, which meant I spent another restless night. Although he is on Enalypril, 1/4 of baby aspirin, flaxseed oil, and melatonin, last night I gave him 2 Tramadols to help with any pain he might be having that I don't know about. I also made a giant pot of poached chicken and rice for him. While he ate his rice and chicken (yay!), it was a CHALLENGE getting the Tramadol down his throat. He cannot STAND that stuff and we felt so bad wrangling him to swallow. That was at 9 p.m. last night.

He slept like a baby. Until 2:14 a.m. Yah, 2:14 a.m. I slept on the couch and/or floor with him so I heard his little mewing first. Milo also kept watch close by, always protective of his elder brother.

So, I spent the next 45 minutes letting him out, massaging him, talking with him, you name it. He'd settle down, but as soon as I'd drift off to sleep and the massages stopped, he was up again. It went on like that for an hour until I decided on 2 more Tramadols. His panting and discomfort was non-stop, so I thought 2 more would help. Well, it took him about 2 more hours before he actually fell asleep again. During that time it was a game of snooze for 15 minutes, massage for 5, snooze for 12 minutes, massage for 6, etc.

The thing is, his facial expressions had perked up and he was walking around much more comfortably, so I wondered if he was just being a needy baby and wanting more massages. I mean, who wouldn't, right? Well, nonetheless, I was still worried because no matter how great the massage, if you're tired, you should be able to sleep. And he couldn't.

He finally fell asleep a little past 5:00. I overslept until 7 a.m., at which point I jumped off the couch, Ed and I picked up a groggy Achilles and put him in the car, and off I went to the vet's. We were the first ones there at 7:30 am, they took some urine and blood, and then we came home. I tried to feed him, but he was still sleepy. We let him just rest and rushed off to work.

Now we're waiting for test results, and I'm trying not to let my head hit the desk. Thank God for caffeine. :-)

I'm going to sub out my spin class tomorrow morning. I have a TON of work to do and there is no way I'll have a lick of energy for class. Gosh, I hate missing my classes. Ah well.

Thank you again everyone. I love you guys. :-)