My thoughts and prayers are with you

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Oh my goodness. Sometimes life just sucks. But something will get better and then you'll feel better. I really believe this.

Vent away Amy, Sometimes all you need to do is verbalize it and you feel better. I also have vivid dreams and they seem so real. Scary isn't it

Yes, everyone should have and know a primary care provider - before they need them.

Suggest calling your nearest, or preferred, hospital, ask for their "physician referral service," and request the name of 3 "internal medicine" physicians - who are taking new patients.

Oh, Amy. I'm so sorry you aren't feeling well. I fell last week too, I think for the first time in about 30 years when I fell off a dock into a boat. This time I got distracted by a woody weed, reached out and gave it a yank, tipped over and bloodied my shin. I never ever fall.

I hope you can find a reasonably acceptable PC or PA. Small community, and I'm having a problem coming up with one too. I have specialists, but no PC in many years and I know I'm pushing my luck. Word of mouth, I called a general practitioners office last month to see if 2 doctors, 2 PAs were seeing new patients. They were not if on Medicare and supplement and I am. That had NEVER happened anywhere before. I did meet with a PA in a different clinic for a meet and greet and felt no connection or confidence in him.

Are vets in short supply in your area too. Any vet schools at a college not too distant. If you ever follow any Explore.org cams, there is a pup there with megaesophagus being treated just now. What you wrote kind of made me go, Hmmmmmm, but hardly any kind of knowledge to be advising you. Have you spoken to the breeder to know if anything similar has happened in a litter?

Hugs....

((((((Amy))))))

I hope for you, a better tomorrow. Sending heartfelt thoughts and prayers.

Amylou, I can sympathize with that vet bill. I finally found an affordable vet but that didn’t help when we were out of town and my dog got a mix of constipation and diarhea a couple weeks back. $586 later he was sent home with antibiotics for an undiagnosed condition and me with a guilt trip for not having spent an additional $300 for xrays. He’s better now.

As for your doctor, please excuse me for making assumptions but it’s sounding like you don’t go to one for your girl parts, either. If I’m correct, please please please don’t put that off. I won’t go into details because this is about you not me but suffice it to say my wife is going in for surgery AGAIN on Friday to deal with complications from what was diagnosed three years ago, would have been a simple procedure if caught early but she didn’t get around to going to the doctor for like a decade.

Weight gain, HBP, I can sympathize with all that, too. Fortunately I’m not having nightmares though.

Good luck with everything!

Oh Amy! No! No! NO! Do NOT count on luck for your health from now on! Take a deep breath and step back from this past week for a bit. When things are 'back to normal', and you feel a little calmer, put your 'take charge' armor on and tackle this primary care physician problem. The pandemic is causing a health care crisis, so it may take some time and determination, but it needs to be done. (((((Amy)))))

Do you suppose Leo is getting hold of something to chew on that is upsetting his stomach?

The suggestion above, to call a breeder is a good one, I would suggest calling the breeder you got Leo from.

Rusty

Find a PC or PA! I'll be thinking about you.

foodonastump, you are forgiven.

I have a gynecologist, who I have been seeing since I was 20. I see him yearly. This past year, I went for a baseline mammogram at his behest, which turned into a follow up ultrasound, which turned into a biopsy, which turned into another ultrasound of which I have heard nothing of any results and that was months ago.

I have a dermatologist.

I have an eye doctor.

I have a dentist.

I saw a specific doc for weight loss and still am technically a patient, though I haven't gone back in years.

I just do not have a primary care doctor and would like to find one.

As for Leo, I have called the breeder and they have not heard of any issues from the other pups. I do not think he has gotten into anything. He, at his time, does not have free reign around the house yet because he is still a puppy and quite stupid. I am going to try another vet later this week.

And my hip has a big ugly bruise on it. Dream witch!

Sorry things have not been going smoothly for you. I hope you get into no more dream fights and that you find out what's wrong with Leo quickly!

It really is nice to have someone oversee your health. I hope you find a primary care quickly. We have difficulty finding doctors here as well.

If it makes you feel any better, my friend just spent $2000 at the vet when his dog suddenly became ill...throwing up and acting like she couldn't get up to walk. Well $2000 later, she is fine and they have no idea what made her so sick. She is a Lab. so she eats anything in sight, they assume she ate something that made her sick. It's crazy how much it costs to go to the vet when your dog is sick!

I find that word of mouth is best for finding good doctors. You could ask any of your current doctors if they have a PCP to recommend for you to go to.

Sorry all of this is happening to you. My only suggestion is to call the Ob/gyn that you've been seeing for years and ask for the results of that ultrasound and for the name of a PC too.

Oh my. Hugs to you.

Sometimes it is everything all at once.

I'm so sorry you're going through all of this.

Do check with the docs you do have...or especially their nurses...to get referrals to a PC...or call your nearest hospital to ask.

Sending you thoughts of healing, strength, courage and comfort.

I have found going to the doc they give you can lead to a PC choice. This way you get to meet and assess them as they tend to your current issue. I have also found if you ask the doc directly you get a yes where as receptionists might say "full"....

My dog, Chewie, vomits occasionally. I found that if he gobbles all the food and water in the bowls he does this. It's also not immediate, hours later. I've learned not to put out a lot of food and water at one time. They get frequent small amounts throughout the day, even on days I work long hours. The vet knows, I've told him before when he first started doing it. Just made him an appointment because he hurt his foot/leg somehow and isn't bearing any weight on it and won't let me look at it. I'm dreading the bill.

Good luck on finding a primary care doctor.

I'm so sorry your doing so much....decorations and food for your coworkers causes so much anxiety at work. No thanks there! You have to decide you want to dedicate yourself to losing weight. So it's just not the right time. Give yourself a break. I'm sorry .......it will get better. Take three deep breaths. Keep smiling gurl!

Ah, the Dog Days of Summer! Ick...a literal ick with Leo's gastro problems.

Promise us that you'll pursue a primary care/internist. It's not as lucrative a field as being a specialist, and the nation doesn't have enough of these important MDs. (Personally, I'd prefer a variety of patients, not be examining one small section of anatomy day in and day out, but medical school is expensive.)

You could try feeding Leo three smaller meals each day, even try food for 'sensitive stomachs'. Could be the normal 'gorge and purge' of an immature dog. Is he re-ingesting the upchuck? There is 'Pepcid' for animals you could try; he may have excess acid.

I hope your bruises and aches will fade fast. Maybe your new doctor can suggest some *calming* and *centering* techniques. Good for mind and body.

Ugh uggity ugh. If it makes you feel better, and i dont know why it would, I stubbed the living daylights out of my little toe and now its purple. Saw stars when I did it but it doesnt hurt now.

That was quite a dream! I can rarely remember mine.

If i go to the website of my local group of hospitals, there is the option toFind A Doctor. You can enter the type of doc you want ( family doctor, internist, primary care) and then check off ” accepting new patients”. Maybe that would work for you. I swear I have a different doctor for every two square inches of my body! Imdo love my PC doctor and turn to her first.

Sounds like, even though your employer has a wellness program and a nurse, there is no insurance?

If there is, go to your plan's website to get names of PCPs that accept your insurance and new patients. Then you can do a web search for reviews of each one - but take them with a grain of saltI

If no insurance, I agree with asking your other providers for a recommendation.

I might even try out that recommended PCP (if truly a doctor, not a chiropracter who all seem to push these supplements) and simply let her know up front that you aren't interested in supplements and shakes - then see if she seems knowledgable and insightful in traditional ways.

I hope things improve for you.

Dang it, Amy, I’m sorry these things seem to pile up all at once, don’t they? I would ask the Gyn for a PC referral, and make sure they make a call for you. Or even your dermatologist. Sometimes you have to ge aggressive and get your foot in the door any way you can do it. if you have any friends you trust who are nurses who could speak up for you, or could give you a referral, do it.

Keep us posted.

Amy how are you and Leo doing today?

I came home this morning to 3 piles of vomit in his crate while he was pressing himself against the other side of it trying to get away from it.

Now, I can handle a lot of things. I am not really squeamish. I can clean pee and poop and blood. I brush his teeth. I clip his nails. I have reached into his slobber filled mouth to remove leaves and other things. But I have a real issue with vomit. It makes me gag uncontrollably. SO has been cleaning it up, but he was not home yet, and I could not just let it sit there. So I cleaned it,gagging the whole time, and washed his feet off in case he had stepped in it. As a bright note to that, my stomach has still not settled, and its great for my newest weight loss attempt. I am trying to look on the bright side anyway.

I cant find George, so I am worried. I am hoping he pops up on my cameras sometime tonight to ease my mind.

Its still hotter than any human should be able to withstand.

But I am still feeling better. In times like this when I am feeling down I like to make a list of all the things I have going for me, and that always helps. I have a great job that I like, that is low stress and allows me to garden, walk, and decorate to ridiculous excess with no interference. I have an SO who I love and who is crazy about me, pets that bring me joy (and vomit), a family who does not attempt to bring any stress because they know I would not tolerate it, a house I like, and a great set of online KT friends who have helped me feel better.

So I guess I am doing great. Thanks.

I'm glad you are feeling a little more optimistic. We knew you could do it. I'm a little concerned about your pup though. Do you have a way of checking his weight. How's he doing there. Let's not discuss your own, you already know you have the will and knowledge to take care of that when you have your mind set to it. Are you happy with his hydration given that he's vomiting. Does he keep water down, or is it both water and food. I'm not sure how large he is now, although know he will eventually be a big dog. Is his bowl raised or is he eating from one sat on the floor?

Amy, best wishes to you and Leo. Hope you are both on the mend soon!!

you have so much going on all at the same time! i bet you're also suffering a raging case of cabin fever, i know i am. the oppressive heat and humidity puts me in such a funk that i just want to pack everything up and move to alaska. i have cleaned out every closet, every drawer, washed every window at least twice, patched spots of wallpaper that i have neglected for years, rearranged furniture more times than i can count, and i'm left with very little to do. i'm with you...give me winter or give me death!! well, not really death but sheesh, could it at least get back down to temps that are more conducive to not feeling like i'm walking into a damn sauna every time i open the door? at least for me, the intolerance i have of summer always magnifies every other little thing to the point where, if it wasn't so hot out, i'd go out in the woods for some good ole primal scream therapy but the heat/humidity has made it so buggy outside, i'm afraid i'd get hauled away, kicking and screaming, by mutant mosquitoes!

have you changed anything in leo's diet or perhaps added any new treats? even if you haven't changed his food, oftentimes a manufacturer will change a formula that can elicit a reaction like you are seeing with leo. these changes are pretty much always made without the consumer ever knowing. here's my suggestion...stop feeding kibble and treats, start feeding a mixture of boiled lean ground beef and cooked white rice (equal parts). do this for 3-4 days and then gradually introduce his kibble back into the mix or switch to a kibble for sensitive tummies and add that gradually. i can really sympathize with you because i've had dogs with urpy tummies. when it's great danes, they leave piles of vomit the size of texas and i won't even mention the dreaded "d" word.

i sure hope things even out for you soon but in the meantime, you seem to have a darn good sense of humor about all of the trials and tribulations. hang in there, autumn and pretty leaves and crisp temperatures are right around the corner for we who hate summer!! :)

So to be clear, Leo does NOT get food treats of any kind. We discovered very early on that any deviation from his food causes a weeks worth of diarrhea. So his "treats" are ice cubes, which he loves. I called another vet today, someone I went to school with, and he said to try to break up meals into tiny portions, and if that does not work, maybe a food change would be in order. This mess started halfway through the 30 pound bag of dog food, so if it was a change in formula, I think it would have showed up before now. I guess I will just have to wait and see. He does not FEEL bad, as he still eats and drinks and plays like always, so that is a comfort to me.

George had gotten very sassy lately. He went from a sweet, laid back cuddle bug to a mob boss. He still likes cuddles but has become somewhat aloof and somewhat demanding. He had the nerve to SMACK me when I stopped petting him today. AND he snuck up behind me and waltzed into my house like he owned the place, clearly forgetting he is an OUTSIDE kitty!!!! He sashayed up to Leo today when SO let Leo out, stuck his nose RIGHT in his face, then turned around and sashayed away....... Leo was SO confused. He did not know if he made a friend or met his supervisor....

I have take to listening to Christmas music for the last couple days, it always cheers me up and reminds me that pleasant months are ahead.

I have also started to form a tenuous truce with one of my coworkers regarding my decorations. I asked her if she could sew me some light covers to go over the big fluorescent lights in here for my decorations. I really just need some magnets sewn into the edges of some seasonal fabric, and likely could have achieved it with some fabric glue. But, I feel that if she is somewhat involved, she is less likely to undermine my efforts, as she has done in the past. She seems excited about it, and so am I I guess, Its another element to add to my display, and I always like that.

Things are looking better every day.

Glad you are finding some positives and what a good idea to involve your coworker in your holiday decorating.

Happy!

Well, except for getting to the bottom of Leo’s issue, it sounds like things are a bit more optimistic for you. I do hope you can figure out what is causing his problems. Cleaning up that mess is no fun. Glad to hear you are feeling better, and hope your solution helps with yoru co-worker issue. Brilliant!

No. I don't think so. He is not outside for very long, and never unsupervised. He gets hot very very fast so we let him out to do his business then its back in the house into the AC. Another reason to hate summer. When fall and winter gets here he will be able to play outside a lot more.