Couch 233: Nothing’s Ghana Stop Us Now

Just heard from the vet a little bit ago, she said Rascal's diabetes is much improved, so that is good news. However she said his kidney levels are higher/worse than last time and she needs another urinalysis to determine more. They weren't able to get a sample yesterday while we were there, so I am trying to get one at home. They gave me a little container of beads to put in a clean litter box, so he has something to scratch on, and a little pippette thingy. He's closed in the bedroom by himself right now to keep the other cats out of it, we'll see how long it takes.

I never got a cat to give a urine sample with those little beads. I hope you get one and he's OK for at least bit longer.

In other news, a colleague tipped me off that the ADA office has complained to the provost's office about me (and my complaints about them) and accordingly the provost's office is now referring to me as a "problem." All I can say is, good.

Also hope the dentist isn't too bad. I also have awful dental anxiety, and I don't even know the last time I went. And also considering sedation one.

Thanks @@. Yeah, he hasn't decided to use them yet, but he's got a bowl of water in there too so he can drink so I'm hoping he'll go for it.

Sorry about the ADA office complaints. I think it's ridiculous of them to complain about your (very legitimate!) requests. I mean isn't that what they are there for in the first place? To help with requests like yours?

Coincidentally as I'm accepting that I'm going to feel some sadness around letting go of L, I got an email this morning from DailyOM about "sitting with our sadness". One of the things it talks about is that "the ability to surrender and the acceptance of change go hand in hand". I've never been a fan of change; maybe because I'm not usually willing to accept the necessary surrender (to sadness, fear, uncertainty, whatever)?

But this is a change that, despite the sadness that comes along with it, I feel strongly about the necessity of at this time.

I've also never liked making big decisions; I'm sure that's partly because in the past I have always been afraid to accept the consequences of such. It's been much easier for me to make a half-assed decision, not fully follow through on it so there's no consequences other than me stepping firmly back into victim mode and saying it's because "I'm broken". But I'm not broken. And now that I have made this decision, I feel even more strongly about following through on it. Like another burden has lifted!! Like I'm growing up a little more again. Like there's more out there for me and I'm now on my way to finding it instead of stuck where I was.

It's been really helpful to write about this and discuss it here.

Edit: Nevermind, figured it out. Trigger warning for dentist talk.

[ trigger ] but without the spaces [ /trigger ] is that what you mean?

Yep, figured it out right after I posted that. Thank you.

Well my cat managed to give me at least a little sample about an hour before the vet closed for the day. I got it up there before they closed so should hear something tomorrow. This particular cat we had the best chance of getting him to use the beads, as he's been fanatical about using a litter box since he was a kitten. His mama cat taught him well. I think he only peed outside of it once - and that was when he accidentally got closed in a closet for several hours and we didn't know it. He had no choice.

I got to talk to the CPS worker. My niece is not to be around the father until the case is closed. Great news. Bad news:
L is trying to help me the best she can. I don't know how much more I can take: finances, my dog, my niece, taking care of everyone, etc. It's too much. I'm trying to stay out of the hospital, but I don't know how much longer I can go. L wants me to go to bed early tonight and try to get extra rest. My mind is so foggy and messed up right now. I'm trying not to SH too. It's been 6.5 years. I just want to fall asleep and never wake up again.

Oh Scarlet. So very sorry this is happening.

I'm really sorry, Scarlet...

I remember being stunned when my exT said he had dental phobia and hadnt been to a dentist in 2 years this was after i told him i hasnt been in 15 years! I swear he never understood anything i was trying to say.

hugs if wanted, Scarlet. It sounds like you have a lot on your plate. I hope you can choose some self-care too.

Ugh. Hugs velcro. I went under general anesthesia when I got all 4 wisdom teeth pulled. 2 were impacted. I've huge dental anxiety, c/ptsd etc. So scaling and polishing already is tough.

Same here. 13 to 15 years before I went again.

yeah i’ve always refused to get mine out bc it terrifies me too much, and two are impacted as well. i don’t know what scaling is, but if it’s them using those tiny tools of torture on you, then yes, it is terrible.

I also have fears of dentist. I've been through so many procedures. I no longer have any upper teeth, and I don't have any back bottom teeth. I have an upper denture and lower partial now. You would think it's easier, but it's not. The main problem is the glue. Getting it out of your mouth and off the denture is a pain! You have to brush it more than you have brush your teeth.

Just my advice: take care of your teeth! Yes, I no longer have to worry about 75% of my teeth, but now I have to worry about my gums and jaw bone getting worn down. And then the surgery to get all the teeth removed: not fun at all.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArtieTheSequal Just heard from the vet a little bit ago, she said Rascal's diabetes is much improved, so that is good news. However she said his kidney levels are higher/worse than last time and she needs another urinalysis to determine more. They weren't able to get a sample yesterday while we were there, so I am trying to get one at home. They gave me a little container of beads to put in a clean litter box, so he has something to scratch on, and a little pippette thingy. He's closed in the bedroom by himself right now to keep the other cats out of it, we'll see how long it takes. Possible trigger: Kidney disease is what my first cat had 20 years ago, that I was injecting fluids under his skin every couple days because he couldn't drink as much as he needed to despite sleeping next to his water/food 22 hours a day and I couldn't let him go. I told h I promise I won't prolong this cat's life just because I don't want to let him go, if he's miserable. If he starts not being able to drink anymore I will make the hard decision for his sake. I won't make him suffer like I did my cat 20 years ago. Right now he's still getting around, goes outside for a little bit every couple of days, doesn't seem like he's in any pain, and eats/drinks without a problem.

One of my fur babies was diagnosed with diabetes in July. I'm sending Rascal loving vibes. Do you home test his glucose?

This is not a comment on what women here might have experienced,

I guess the point can be broaden out to describe how we are often exposed to feeling vulnerable and out of control (particularly true for women) and how there are many instances of this when you are in the dentist's chair.