CLAVIER FAMILY BLOG (Archive)

Fr. Tony Update: FIVE DAYS AND COUNTING...
Rescue Run a Success...
Recommended Viewing...

Cat Tree Ideas...

Fr. Tony Update: FIVE DAYS AND COUNTING:

This Friday Tony will finally have the biopsy surgery done and over with. The past couple of days have been up and down, on the steroids. Over the last week, his feet have been bothering him more then usual. We suspect, but are not sure, that the former chemo treatments have something to do with this foot pain. Hopefully it's just that, and not the amyloid.

I've recently been corresponding with several folks on the Amyloidosis Support Network, and they've been so very kind. From what I can figure, the key to fighting amyloid is early diagnosis. At this point we have no clue how long Tony has had amyloid, but hope and pray we've caught it early. Will know more after biopsy and further testing.

I suppose I should be sitting back, taking one day at a time, and not wasting energy focusing on the next procedure, but it's so blasted difficult. One wants to get all the testing, procedures, poking and prodding done, so we can get on with the job of recovery, remission, or simply knowing exactly what Tony's up against. There's so much "unknown" in this process of elimination and discovery, along with endless days of watching and waiting. It feels like just yesterday Tony was diagnosed with Waldenstroms, but the days since the diagnoses are a blur at times, since one finds themself focusing so hard on what's to come.

RESCUE RUN A SUCCESS:

You'll be glad to know Hemmingway and Emma are here, safe and sound. It only took one full day to recover from a night of no sleep, not wanting to miss the alarm going off. I made my way to Clarksburg, turned off the highway in the wrong direction, figured that mistake out, then headed toward Clarksburg.... forgetting the road I was on was actually a "highway" with designated exits. So, I then missed my turnoff, and ended up on the opposite side of Clarksburg. I finally made it to my destination, and the swap was made successfully. Got home and Tony had a nice cup of tea ready for me.

How are the cats? Well...... Let's just say I'm not a happy camper! Both were taken to the Vet to be checked out. Both are dehydrated and look more then 1/2 as big as they did when I last saw them... if not more! Tests were done to see if there's something up with their thyroids, which could explain such drastic weight loss. Emma's results came back fine, but we'll know more on Tuesday about Hemmingway's results.

Both are on special food, to try and get their weight back up. Emma's not real keen on eating at the moment. Hemmingway's eating, in spite of the very sore/red gums in his mouth. One can't help but suspect their current status is as a result of simple neglect. I hope and pray that after a week of antibiotics, hand feeding Emma, making sure they get hydration, and some TLC, we'll get them back to their old selves.

I'm going to get Tony's webcam set up so the cats can hear Megan's voice and see her on Tony's laptop screen. Maybe that will help them fight the good fight. At present, I'm not sure they recognize us, and are probably quite stressed from the move. For now, they'll be keeping Fr. Tony company in his study, where it's quiet and far from the roudy dogs and noisy birds. Please do keep them in your prayers.

RECOMMENDED VIEWING:

Tony and I watched a great (and very funny) movie the other night. We highly recommend it. The movie is a British film called "KEEPING MUM".

Synopsis:

Walter Goodfellow (Rowan Atkinson), the well meaning vicar of the parish of Little Wallop, is so obsessed with writing the perfect sermon that he is oblivious to his wife Gloria’s (Kristin Scott Thomas) dalliance with her brash golf instructor Lance (Patrick Swayze); neither does he notice that his daughter Holly has a different boyfriend every week, and his young son Petey is the whipping boy for the school bullies.

Gloria feels her life is spiralling out of control. She is sick of the incessant barking of the dog next door, her loveless marriage and her adolescent kids’ escapades – she prays every night for salvation. Enter Grace (Maggie Smith), the answer to the family’s prayers: a sweet grey haired old lady, the charming and discreet new housekeeper, who has her own unique definition of keeping house – and a very unusual way of solving problems

FLUSHED AWAY: British/American Animation

Aardman Productions and Dreamworks (anything done by Aardman is GREAT: Wallace and Gromit, Chicken Run, Curse of the Ware Rabbit, etc, etc)

Synopsis:

A pet mouse named Roddy St. James is pretty much spoiled rotten. His owners live in a chic Kensington apartment, and Roddy has everything he could possibly want--except friends and a family. Everything changes for Roddy when his owners go away for a few days and their flat is invaded by a common rat, Sid.

Featuring the voices of: Kate Winslet, Hugh Jackman, Ian McKellen, Andy Serkis, and Bill Nighy

We only lost one hour last night, but it feels like five! Must get ready for church. If you're on the mailing list, receiving this blog, please do touch base with Tony. I know he'd all love to hear from you, and your emails of love and support mean the world to us.

CAT TREE IDEAS:

On my way home from the Vet's office I was thinking about what best to make the cat trees from. Depending on the size, they can get quite heavy, especially when working with wood. I'm thinking I may try using PVC. It can create a variety of possibilities. Or, I could use a combination of PVC and wood. Hmmm, will have to ponder this more.

Below are some interestig ideas I found on the web, and the last photos is of a design I worked on last night.