I got my bloodwork results back from my gastro office. Everything was "within normal limits," which I am super happy about! No thyroid issues here! :) I guess I was just made to be short. :)
However, that most likely means I have an IBD. I still obviously have to go through both procedures for the doctors to know for sure what it is and hopefully they can determine what is causing my issues. An IBD is a chronic autoimmune disease, but there are medications and dietary changes you can make to help you control it. So that will be good to know. Because this whole going to the bathroom 24/7 is getting really old. Also, there is a sharp jabbing pain that keeps happening in my lower abdomin off and on.
Anywho.....
Hubs and I had a great weekend playing outside in the leaves with Dexter and at a Halloween party with friends! :) Those posts will be coming up later this week.
Looking forward to this busy weekend coming up, too! Hubs' older brother and sister-in-law are staying with us this, I'm celebrating my favorite aunt's birthday on Friday night with a girl's night in, crafting Christmas presents on Saturday with Dexter's Aunt Heather, confirmation class reunion on Sunday, followed by celebrating Hubs' younger brother's birthday. Hopefully I can keep up with my schedule! :)
LOVING this Fall weather, too! Definitely puts me in a productive, feel-good mood.
10.26.2011
10.21.2011
"big rig"
I had my first day of school tonight! I was very happy that Mommy held me in the car ride over to PetSmart. I'm hoping they gave up on the carrier idea and I'll never have to go in that death trap again! I'm always so nervous in there. That's why I keep barking and having accidents. I hope Mommy and Daddy realized that now and will never make me go in there again!
At school tonight it was just me and an Australian Ridgeback puppy named Briggs. Briggs' daddy said he was 4 months old, but I highly doubt that!! He was so big! One of his floppy ears was probably the length of my entire body!
Briggs wasn't barking, but he did keep getting dangerously close to Daddy's feet. I had to bark a few times to let him know who's boss and to back up off of my Daddy! Briggs, however, did not seem to understand this. I barked and barked all though the pet lady's demonstration. Mommy looked a little embarassed and said she couldn't believe I was this barking this much!
The pet lady kept using Briggs for demonstrations. I know how to "sit," too, lady! I think my intimidating bark was throwing her off. I did get to play a fun game with Mommy and Daddy, though. I think it is called the "Yes" game. Mommy would say "yes" and put a tiny treat in my mouth. Then Daddy would do it. They did this over and over and I was so excited that I was getting so many treats, I was going to pay attention to whatever they wanted me to do!
Next, Mommy and Daddy would take turns asking me to "sit." Since I am pretty accomplished at this task, I did it without any problems! Then they would say "yes" and put a little treat in my mouth. A pug could get used to this! After that we did another treat-getting game called "Watch Me." Daddy took a little treat, put it above my nose, and then brought the treat all the way up to his face, between his eyes. If I watched him the entire time, I got the treat! If I looked away, I had to do it again. I was much better at this with Daddy than Mommy. (I think Mommy may need to go to her own school to figure this out!)
After the class ended, Briggs and I were allowed "play time." Well, I did not want to play with Briggs, so I kept barking until he came close. Then I had to scoot under Mommy legs. I wasn't scared, you see, I just had to protect underneath Mommy's legs in case Briggs thought he could get under there. Daddy started calling Briggs "Big Rig" because he kept pawing at me and even knocked me down a few times. He wasn't trying to be mean; I think he's just big and goofy! He was nice enough, I guess, but I just do not want to sniff his butt yet, and I would have appreciated it if he'd stop trying to sniff mine! I guess I will need to work on my butt-sniffing techniques for next week's class. Next week there is also supposed to be a little Sheltie puppy joining us. Maybe he will play nicely with me!
At school tonight it was just me and an Australian Ridgeback puppy named Briggs. Briggs' daddy said he was 4 months old, but I highly doubt that!! He was so big! One of his floppy ears was probably the length of my entire body!
Briggs wasn't barking, but he did keep getting dangerously close to Daddy's feet. I had to bark a few times to let him know who's boss and to back up off of my Daddy! Briggs, however, did not seem to understand this. I barked and barked all though the pet lady's demonstration. Mommy looked a little embarassed and said she couldn't believe I was this barking this much!
The pet lady kept using Briggs for demonstrations. I know how to "sit," too, lady! I think my intimidating bark was throwing her off. I did get to play a fun game with Mommy and Daddy, though. I think it is called the "Yes" game. Mommy would say "yes" and put a tiny treat in my mouth. Then Daddy would do it. They did this over and over and I was so excited that I was getting so many treats, I was going to pay attention to whatever they wanted me to do!
Next, Mommy and Daddy would take turns asking me to "sit." Since I am pretty accomplished at this task, I did it without any problems! Then they would say "yes" and put a little treat in my mouth. A pug could get used to this! After that we did another treat-getting game called "Watch Me." Daddy took a little treat, put it above my nose, and then brought the treat all the way up to his face, between his eyes. If I watched him the entire time, I got the treat! If I looked away, I had to do it again. I was much better at this with Daddy than Mommy. (I think Mommy may need to go to her own school to figure this out!)
After the class ended, Briggs and I were allowed "play time." Well, I did not want to play with Briggs, so I kept barking until he came close. Then I had to scoot under Mommy legs. I wasn't scared, you see, I just had to protect underneath Mommy's legs in case Briggs thought he could get under there. Daddy started calling Briggs "Big Rig" because he kept pawing at me and even knocked me down a few times. He wasn't trying to be mean; I think he's just big and goofy! He was nice enough, I guess, but I just do not want to sniff his butt yet, and I would have appreciated it if he'd stop trying to sniff mine! I guess I will need to work on my butt-sniffing techniques for next week's class. Next week there is also supposed to be a little Sheltie puppy joining us. Maybe he will play nicely with me!
10.20.2011
pumpkin carving
Mommy and Daddy had some friends over this past weekend with some pumpkins! And then they cut up the pumpkins, scooped out the guts, put candles in them, and took them outside to admire them.
I don't get it. ?? No one would let me eat the pumpkin guts, either, so I don't know what the point of scooping them out was!
We also went to the Halloween parade. I was very scared--not of the spookies walking in the parade, but of the loud noises! Mommy, Daddy and Uncle Jeff took turns holding me. Mommy also put me in a pumpkin costume and kept saying how cute I looked. I hope she doesn't do this every day now! There were a few little kids that wanted to pet me, too! I was pretty sleepy, so I let them pet me without biting. I think Mommy and Daddy were happy about that.
I also met Chloe this past weekend. She is a little Havanese dog. Her mommy Amanda showed us all the tricks she could do--sit, lay down, roll over, beg, and even jump up on her hind legs! When Amanda said "Where's your tail, Chloe?" Chloe would actually turn around and bite her tail! I acted disinterested, but I was actually pretty impressed. I mean, I know how to sit, too, but I didn't feel the need to show off. Mommy hopes that when I start my puppy classes tonight that I'll be learning all those things, too. I hope she's right!
Oh, and one more thing. I had a vet appointment last night with Dr. Rich. I got two more shots, including one for rabies. I hardly noticed because I was eating treats! Dr. Rich was a little worried about my little nose. He said that Mommy and Daddy might want to see about me maybe having surgery on it when I'm older to help me breathe easier. I think Mommy and Daddy like my constant snorting, though. Why would they want to change me, anyway? I'm a pug and pugs snort. :) I have to go back in three weeks for two more shots, and then three weeks after that for another shot. Then I'm done with all my vaccines!
**Awesome photos are by Uncle Jeff. Mommy really needs to start taking more pictures!
I don't get it. ?? No one would let me eat the pumpkin guts, either, so I don't know what the point of scooping them out was!
We also went to the Halloween parade. I was very scared--not of the spookies walking in the parade, but of the loud noises! Mommy, Daddy and Uncle Jeff took turns holding me. Mommy also put me in a pumpkin costume and kept saying how cute I looked. I hope she doesn't do this every day now! There were a few little kids that wanted to pet me, too! I was pretty sleepy, so I let them pet me without biting. I think Mommy and Daddy were happy about that.
I also met Chloe this past weekend. She is a little Havanese dog. Her mommy Amanda showed us all the tricks she could do--sit, lay down, roll over, beg, and even jump up on her hind legs! When Amanda said "Where's your tail, Chloe?" Chloe would actually turn around and bite her tail! I acted disinterested, but I was actually pretty impressed. I mean, I know how to sit, too, but I didn't feel the need to show off. Mommy hopes that when I start my puppy classes tonight that I'll be learning all those things, too. I hope she's right!
 |
| Me with Mommy & Daddy's friends and their pumpkins. (You can see Tom holding Chloe) |
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| Me, looking quite sleepy, with Mommy and Daddy at the parade |
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| Spooky pumpkins. The pumpkin that is eating a little pumpkin, made by Aunt Heather, was the winner! Congratulations Aunt Heather! |
**Awesome photos are by Uncle Jeff. Mommy really needs to start taking more pictures!
10.19.2011
third time's a charm
This is actually a post written by Hebs today. Dexter needed the day off to rest up for his wellness vet appointment tonight. :)
This was not supposed to be a blog addressing all of the health concerns of my pug and myself, but it seems like that's what it is turning into lately...
Just wanted to give you guys an update on what's going on with me.
I met with a new gastroenterologist yesterday morning, and wow is she amazing! What a wonderful doctor--incredibly thorough! I addressed all of the issues I've been having (bathroom issues, blood, lower abdomin pain, inability to gain weight) and she outlined a course of action. I'm going to have bloodwork done (ugh! needles!) to test me for Hyperactive Thyroid, Celiac's disease, Anemia, and to see how my blood clots. Next month I will be having my third colonoscopy and first endoscopy. Slightly freaking out about going through all this again. And then freaking out slightly more about the endoscopy part because I haven't had that done that before.
My doctor is hopeful we will figure out what is causing my problems and can determine what medications may help and what foods I may be allergic to. They will be looking at my colon, large intestine, small intestine, and even my esophagaus. Hopefully they will find the knife that feels like its been floating through my intestines!
My doctor thinks I may have an IBD, an irritable bowel disorder (not to be confused with IBS, irritable bowel syndrome, which I was diagnosed with after colonoscopy #2). An IBD (diseases like Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's disease) is an autoimmune disease. IBS is more related to outside influences, such as diet and stress (just to name a few causes). She thinks I may have a form of Ulcerative Colitis, coupled with an overactive thyroid. The thyroid issue comes in to play since I haven't grown in height and weight since middle school age, I have lost weight recently and haven't been able to gain it back, and have had some anxiety and feeling "jittery" for no reason.
I don't know who is reading this other than my friends and family, but if you are having any sort of "bathroom issues" I urge you to consult your doctor. It may be embarassing to talk about and to have any sort of procedures done, but if it will answer your problems in the long run, it is completely worth it! Trust me. I am the shyest person ever (I wouldn't even tell some people the name of this blog because I am too embarassed to have them read my ramblings) and was able to go to not one, not two, but THREE doctors about this over the course of 6 years. You can do it. :)
This was not supposed to be a blog addressing all of the health concerns of my pug and myself, but it seems like that's what it is turning into lately...
Just wanted to give you guys an update on what's going on with me.
I met with a new gastroenterologist yesterday morning, and wow is she amazing! What a wonderful doctor--incredibly thorough! I addressed all of the issues I've been having (bathroom issues, blood, lower abdomin pain, inability to gain weight) and she outlined a course of action. I'm going to have bloodwork done (ugh! needles!) to test me for Hyperactive Thyroid, Celiac's disease, Anemia, and to see how my blood clots. Next month I will be having my third colonoscopy and first endoscopy. Slightly freaking out about going through all this again. And then freaking out slightly more about the endoscopy part because I haven't had that done that before.
My doctor is hopeful we will figure out what is causing my problems and can determine what medications may help and what foods I may be allergic to. They will be looking at my colon, large intestine, small intestine, and even my esophagaus. Hopefully they will find the knife that feels like its been floating through my intestines!
My doctor thinks I may have an IBD, an irritable bowel disorder (not to be confused with IBS, irritable bowel syndrome, which I was diagnosed with after colonoscopy #2). An IBD (diseases like Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's disease) is an autoimmune disease. IBS is more related to outside influences, such as diet and stress (just to name a few causes). She thinks I may have a form of Ulcerative Colitis, coupled with an overactive thyroid. The thyroid issue comes in to play since I haven't grown in height and weight since middle school age, I have lost weight recently and haven't been able to gain it back, and have had some anxiety and feeling "jittery" for no reason.
I don't know who is reading this other than my friends and family, but if you are having any sort of "bathroom issues" I urge you to consult your doctor. It may be embarassing to talk about and to have any sort of procedures done, but if it will answer your problems in the long run, it is completely worth it! Trust me. I am the shyest person ever (I wouldn't even tell some people the name of this blog because I am too embarassed to have them read my ramblings) and was able to go to not one, not two, but THREE doctors about this over the course of 6 years. You can do it. :)
10.12.2011
sick (again)
I don't think Mommy and Daddy were happy with me this past weekend. I've had a little tickle in my throat for a few days and I keep trying to get it out. Daddy had to call the vet to schedule an appointment for me after Aunt Heather's photo shoot.
Aunt Heather asked me to model some of her cowls (a scarf she knits in a loop!). She asked some of her other friends to model, too, but I was really the star of the show.
However, since I was not feeling so well, I had a few accidents in the car. Mommy and Daddy were not happy the first time, second time, OR the third time it happened. They gave up and let me slide around in my puddle until we made it to the park. Daddy had to wash me off in a pond. No one wanted to pet me as much after that. I was sad, but I knew I was a stinky puppy. Mommy cleaned out my carrier and I tried to thank her with a few little nips at her hands, but she didn't seem happy.
The photo shoot was a lot of fun. I got to see some of Mommy and Daddy's friends and got a lot of loving from my Auntie Jessi and Uncle Brian. Uncle Brian and I even got a picture together since we had the same green cowl. I looked a little better in it, though, and I think Auntie Jessie noticed. :)
Mommy held me on the way back to the vet. I like it better when she holds me in the car, anyway!
At the vet, we learned that I am now 7 pounds, 14 ounces! Every single day Mommy says that I am growing up too fast. I think I'm right on schedule. I'm not going to be a little baby pug forever, Mom!
Dr. Jamie pushed on my throat and I didn't like it. He used his cold tools on my neck and said he heard some congestion in there. He said he was going to give us coughing pills and pink medicine.
I guess Mommy and Daddy forgot about the coughing pills. They've been giving me these squishy lamb treats instead! I am always very excited to eat one and I gobble the whole thing down right away! The pink medicine, however, they did NOT forget.
Mommy pretends like she is going to rub my belly, but then holds down all of my legs! Then Daddy holds my mouth open to give me the medicine. They don't even give me a warning! I kick and wiggle and try to bite, but I can't get them off of me. Once the medicine is gone, I get one of my lamb treats, so I guess it's ok. I just always forget I'm going to get a treat afterwards. Maybe if they gave me one before, too, it would help me remember. :)
I am feeling pretty good lately. I guess that medicine is working. It's good, too, because I learned I am going to meet a new puppy friend on Saturday! Her name is Chloe and she is a little fluffy puppy. Her parents are friends with Mommy and Daddy. Mommy keeps saying she is so excited to see me play with a little dog my size. I'm not that little; I don't know what she's talking about!
Here I am looking quite handsome in the cowl Aunt Heather made for me.
No wonder Aunt Jessi had her eye on me. ;)
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