It’s been 11 years since I last journaled!!  My life has changed dramatically. I’m retired. I’m a full-time caregiver to my husband who has dementia.  This summer was wicked, but thanks to Gabapaten (for my husband) life is easier again.  

My husband suddenly became angry and paranoid.  His anger and paranoia got worse with each passing day.   One day he decided he was going to walk to Safeway.  I thought he was out in our woods raking. He loves to do that daily so I was not concerned.  Luckily he is pretty crippled up, got tired, and came home. It was truly a tough summer.  He was so angry.  I realize he’s lost a lot of freedom. He is no longer allowed to drive, go anywhere without someone, or be alone at home.  He makes poor choices now, and as a result, I am with him 24-7 except on Sunday morning when my daughter comes by to sit with him while I go to mass.

 I don’t want my husband sedated. That is no life. In desperation, I researched the Internet and found an article about the testing of Gabapten on dementia patients who are having behavior issues. I reached out to our doctor who agreed to try it out. What a miracle drug!  He’s back to being my sweetie!  I look back now and chuckle, but it was not funny at the time. I was exhausted mentally from the stress.  ( Collapse )

Star who is now 11 years old, slipped this summer and injured her spine.  She was on a leash for several weeks and what an unhappy girl she was.  She is an active girl but didn’t get much of a summer due to her injury.  It is winter here now and she spends a lot of time outdoors now that she is healed rolling rocks looking for voles. Her arthritis is awful in the evening. Sitting down and getting up is painful. She is on Galliprant and Gabapaten.  They help but the vet wants to put her on that controversial drug, Librela.  I refused.   I called and left a message that I’m not interested in Librela but in using Adequan.  I received a voice message from the vet once again pushing Librela and not one mention of Adequan!  So Star is still on Galliprant and Gabapaten along with her supplements.  I have to wonder if the vets are getting special perks by pushing librela on their patients? Star also had dental surgery two weeks ago.  By the time they were done along with a $5 complimentary nail clipping, I paid out of pocket $1400. 

 Veterinary costs are skyrocketing and it’s to the point if you get a pup, get health insurance!  Don’t wait.  Only the elite can now afford pets sadly. Once my furbabies pass, I won’t be getting another.  My pension isn’t much, but I love them, so I will take good care of them until they pass on.

I got my husband’s bathroom cleaned.  Ugh. I really need a hazmat suit.  I vacuumed the bedroom.  I need to plow due to the snow that fell last night but not until tomorrow maybe after mass.  I love plowing, but I can’t face it right now.   

Dinner is easy.  I love skillet dinners. Packaged in a bag it gets dumped into a skillet. Eight minutes later, done!  My hubby has a healthy meal.  I season it with Johnnie’s seasoning.  Easy Peasy and pretty healthy.  I hate cooking anymore but I like eating healthy.