Over the years, this ol blog has become my friend. A pipeline to a stream of sanity that sometimes my day feels that it lacks. This blog doesn’t exist to entertain the masses, (though I am sure many find it humorous that at times I can have over a dozen cats scampering under my feet.) It isn’t meant to be educational either, although a small part of me hopes that in sharing my life, I also manage to show people ways to get along with a “feral” cat. It isn’t put here to win awards or recognition- it simply is a journal of my life, just my life, day-to-day all the challenges faced, obstacles overcome and joys celebrated.
I’ve kept a journal since I was 12 years old. There are boxes of noteboooks, both hard and soft- backed in the attic along with diaries where the keys are long lost. Even scraps of paper scribbled on, such as the napkin I found the other day, scribbled hastily on a flight to North Carolina when I was 13 years ago. It says “Oh My Stars! Glen Campbell is on this plane!” I will admit that I asked him to sign every piece of stationary I was carrying with me so when I wrote my friends from my grandparent’s home they would have a lovely surprise. He very kindly did just that and never complained once!
This blog doesn’t exist to drum up sympathy points or even to raise monies for cats who need it. It exists to keep me at my center, so I can work things out- see them as they really are and not hide from the facts.
I debated on this next step- to make my reality real here. To show the world, the fight over Mike’s leg. But, if posting this photo here saves even one life, it will be worth it. It is not an easy photo to view- it shows the complete breakdown of a leg denied circulation for a very long time- a leg that hasn’t seen the light of day for 8 months due to being wrapped up hip to toe three times a week. It shows you what Diabetes can do to someone you love, or even to yourself if you are fighting this dreadful disease.
Mike was diagnosed with Type II Diabetes over 7 years ago and once he started insulin shots, the problems just started happening.
They say a picture is worth a thousand words- this one is worth a thousand tears- look at it try to identify it as a leg (because it looks alien to me.) But if you know someone battling Diabetes, do all you can to be supportive but firm and try to get them to really pay attention to caring about themselves. With the abscess- even with the neuropathy, he does feel pain. He says on a scale of 1-10 he is sitting at a 9.5
It is why I can’t write articles, keep up with the new litter of kittens upstairs and why I can’t sleep easily at night. We are preparing for the worst on April 6th when we see the orthopedic surgeon again and hoping for the best when told of the results from the MRI scheduled on the 22nd of March.
Click only if you have to:
I did not click on the picture, only because I am weak in that department. I dont find your perils humorous (except when you post them that way). I dont even know your name, yet I find myself drawn to your blog everyday to see what is put on your plate. You have a huge plate and a huge heart, and thank you for sharing your thoughts and feelings. You are strong beyond my imagination. I wish you both(and kitties) the best for everything, you deserve a break.
I too have chosen not to click on the picture as I am quite squeamish when it comes to medical issues.
My brother has diabetes and he has had all sorts of troubles regulating it. It can be a nasty disease that certainly needs to be taken seriously. I send prayers for you and Mike.
I agree with Heidi, that you have had more than your fair share of hard stuff to deal with lately. I hope you get a break soon and can enjoy some calm for a good long time.
My dear departed came down with Charcot’s ankle in 2006.
He was a long-term diabetic. A bout of a severe skin disease
seeming to be chicken pox complicated by apparent MRSA
of the affected leg put him in the hospital for a week.
He refused to have his leg amputated. He was amused by
the miniature blood pressure cuff one doctor put on his big toe.
The brace thing worked just fine. He’d wear it out and about.
At home he liked a pair of Vibram Five Fingers to wear as house
slippers.
I have six cats, enjoyed your entries. My thoughts are with you!
(Yeh, I clicked…seen it before.)