Stephen Burckhardt's Blog: My Blog Ramblings, page 83

Not Always a Happy Ending

I'm still distracted with family things today. I have my new sound equipment ready for Dianne to finish recording the audiobooks but there is no will to work.P.R. came home and things were good for the first night. Friday Shaggy got sick again. We ended up taking him back to the vet and this time we found out he is allergic to pork and beef. How is a dog allergic to pork and beef?This makes sense though. Right before Shaggy got so sick P.R. had given him a rawhide bone. For months Shaggy has been having rashes and scratching like crazy, now it makes sense. We have been giving Shaggy ham bones as special treats on the weekends and cooking hamburger for him. Who could have known that we would be making our boy sick doing that.So tonight Shaggy is staying at the vets. He was dehydrated and needed to have some IV medication to get his system back to normal but, with any luck, he will be back home tomorrow.I need him healthy because when there is anything wrong with him or P.R. I can't focus on anything else.

Tuesday the Excrement Made Contact with the Rotating Oscillator

So, I already shared where Shaggy was feeling sick on Monday. Tuesday, things got a whole lot worse. I am going to try to make a very long story short for you.Shaggy had started throwing up about four hours after P.R. left town. He didn’t seem to feel bad. He was still running and playing and bugging me so I figured he just ate something that didn’t agree with him. I was keeping an eye on him for signs of dehydration or getting worse. I figured if he wasn’t able to eat normally by Wednesday morning we would go to the vet.Shaggy was still doing okay Tuesday morning. He did get sick in the morning but by the afternoon he had been able to eat a little and keep it down. I thought he was on the mend. Boy was I wrong!Tuesday evening, about 6:30, Shaggy came running to me panting and shaking. I felt his nose and it was hot. I was very worried about this sudden change so I tried calling the vet to see if they were still open. I have never had any luck making calls from our landline. We use it so rarely that I don't think to get it looked at until something like this happens and I can't call anyone.I couldn’t call from my cell because I have it set up on a plan through these guys at mall. When my minutes run out I just stop in the shop and buy more minutes when I'm out and about. It has never been an issue, until today. I could, however, use the wifi and text P.R. to call me, which is what I did.I gave P.R. the number to the vet and asked P.R. to call them and make sure they were still open and could see Shaggy that night. Turns out, this vet is open 24 hours a day, hallelujah!Now, I have been to this vet a few times with Shaggy to him set up with a local vet, get puppy shots, and have him checked for allergies because he was scratching a lot. It was nothing like this where I’m worried my dog is dying. Shaggy is shaking so hard, I don’t think he can walk to the vet. He’s not good on a leash as it is and with the way he’s feeling I’m thinking this is not going to be a good trip.We have a soft-side dog carrier you can hang over your shoulder like a duffle bag. I opted to carry my dog, knowing full well I will be paying for this tomorrow. Shaggy isn’t fond of the bag and starts fighting me as I try to put him in. By the time I get him in the bag, Shaggy’s panting harder and all sweaty, I'm all stressed out and contemplating just calling a cab, but then with my phone situation, how?I get to the bus stop in my neighborhood and I’m sitting, waiting, talking to Shaggy, trying to keep him calm because he really doesn’t like being out where there is traffic. As I’m talking to Shaggy, I start smelling burning paper. I look up to see the trashcan by the bus stop is on fire. Sure, okay. Nothing is phasing me at this point.We get on the bus and get to the main station. Here, I have to switch busses to get to the vet. I make a mistake and get on the wrong bus and end up going past where I needed to go. When I get off I ask someone with the bus company which is the right bus to get to where I need to go and they tell me the wrong one and I end up back at the main station. I spent about an hour going back and forth on the wrong busses.At this point I'm feeling very stressed out. I walk to the shop and add minutes to my phone so I can make calls. Thank goodness it is by the station.  I tell the guy behind the counter I just need buy some time so I can make a call. He begins to name off all the packages they have and the wonderful benefits of each. I have never wanted to yank anyone across a counter by their throat so much in my life. I’m sure he could tell I was trying very hard to control my anger because after he looked up, he quickly got me set to make calls. I can only imagine the look I had on my face. I tried to politely thank the man for his help but I’m not so sure I was convincing.I go outside and call P.R. It took three calls and a text to get get through. It was very hard for me to not use the F-word about every other word when explaining the situation. I know this is not P.R.'s fault but seeing as how P.R. was not here to help ... it’s P.R.'s fault for not being here. Yes, I know that is not fair, or true, but I’m worried about Shaggy and I need someone to blame, even if it didn't make sense.So, I ask P.R. to please text me the phone number to the vet. I was planning on taking a cab to their office at this point and I needed to get their address. P.R. begins to tell me the number is on a pad at the hotel and it will take a while to get back there. I told P.R., no, "if the you used your cell phone to call the vet earlier the number will still be in there. Would you please, sweetie, just text it to me."  Now to me, the way I said "sweetie" sounded more like I was saying "asshole" and I just hope and pray it doesn't sound that way to P.R. because that is not what I meant. P.R. doesn't seem bothered by it promises get me the number and hangs up.I go lean up against a wall and try to take some of the pressure off my back where it’s being pulled very out of whack with a nine pound (yes, he’s still underweight), shaking, sweating, drooling, panting dog, who is hanging, basically, from around my neck. He had sweat and drooled so much the canvas carrier bag was soaked through in places, and so was I for that matter. Most of the moisture was from Shaggy and I’m sure some of it was my own sweat from running all around town carrying him. He's shaking so hard, he's visibly shaking me.After several minutes passed, I tried calling P.R. again, I got voice mail. Eventually, heP.R. called back and started to tell me the number. I had to tell cut P.R. off and point out I didn’t have anything to write it down with and needed the number text me, sweetie. It took just a few more minutes for P.R. to get me the number, I was finally able to call the vet.So, I get the address, we get a cab, and we finally make it to the vet. On the way, the driver rolled down my window for me and I’m not sure if it was to give my panting dog air or if we both smelled like wet dog mixed with a little dog vomit and he’s just airing out the cab, either way, it was a good thing. I would get away from our smell too if I could have.At the vet, I let shaggy out of the carrier and see if he wants some water, he didn’t. He never likes to drink or eat when we are out in public, too nervous. We get in to see a doctor in less than twenty minutes. She starts to examine Shaggy and squeezes his tummy, he basically projectile vomits toward me but misses me, thank you, God.After the exam, she says he has gastroenteritis. She gave him three shots in his hips which he was not happy about. Poor baby had such a rough day and now we still had to get home. I go to check out and Shaggy also got pills I have to give him the next three days. If he gets worse or keeps throwing up I have to take him back.Luckily, as we are leaving it seems like the pain meds seem to be kicking in and Shaggy is fairly calm for the trip home. We finally get home and I feel like I’m covered in dog spit, dog sweat, possibly a little dog vomit, and maybe even a little dog pee. Shaggy pees when scared. So, after I get him bedded down, I go straight to the shower.I come out of the bathroom and I hear Shaggy hack but he doesn’t throw up; a good sign. He signs he wants food (yes, I taught my dog some sign language), another good sign, so I give him a little boiled chicken and rice I had fixed him earlier. He ate some and kept it down. I had not yet picked up his water and he started drinking like a madman but I got it away from him before he overdid it. I replaced the water with ice chips. All things the vet suggested.Needless to say the last few days I haven't gotten much work done. I have been pretty much devoted to taking care of my dog. Yesterday, I left him home while I walked to the store to buy chicken and rice to boil for him. He did good on his own. The next two days Shaggy managed to keep everything down but today he threw up again. He had seemed like he was back to normal yesterday and even this morning but after throwing up again today, he's just laying around looking like he feels bad again. I have a feeling today will be another trip to the vet. I plan on taking a cab from home this time. There is no way I'm going through all of this again!

At a Loss for Words

Today has not been a good day. I didn't sleep at all last night, not a wink. I got up with P.R. this morning and made breakfast. P.R. ate and I just sat with a cup of coffee. Then we said our weekly goodbye as the Taxi arrived to take P.R. to the airport.I really hate this arrangement. I was single for 46 years so you would think it wouldnt be such a big deal to be on my own for half the week. But I married P.R. because I wanted to actually live with P.R. I admit when there isn't another person to take care of I tend to not take as good of care of myself. Take tonight ...Normally, when P.R. is home I will make dinner most nights unless P.R. wants to cook, which is often. But when P.R. is gone I can have a fridge full of food and dinner will be tortilla chips and salsa, my dinner tonight in fact. I just get so lazy when I'm on my own. It's like if I don't have someone else to take care of it's just not worth the effort. I need to quit that.Another thing that was not great today, Shaggy has been throwing up all day. He acts like he feels fine, he's been as bouncy and playful as usual, but then he eats and it comes right back up. I even tried just cooking a little boiled chicken and rice for him and that too came right back up. He seems fine if you discount the throwing up, he's not running a fever, he's not dehydrated, he doesn't have any other other symptoms. If he's still doing this tomorrow I'm going to take him to the vet because I'm not going to take chances with my puppy. But even taking him to the vet can make him a bit worse. This is one of those time I really wish we had a car. Shaggy doesn't like being out in public, riding the busses, or being around all the people, and we will have to deal with all those things to get to the vet. I just hope he is better tomorrow and whatever was in his system gets out overnight.I know I should be working and writing book three but right now I'm so stressed out about Shaggy, It's just not a good idea, the words would fail me. So for now I'm going to watch Stranger Things on Netflix, cuddle my dog, and have a cup of tea. With any luck, tomorrow will be a better day.

Good Intentions ...

Well, I had every intention of working while I was on vacation but as you can see by the lack of blogs, I didn't. I was only there for 10 days so I could celebrate Mom's birthday with her and Dad. Beyond that I was going to see a few friends and do some shopping for things I can't find around here. I'm sure if I knew this town better I could find everything I need here but I lived there for 46 years so I know where to find everything there, even having lived elsewhere for 2 years now.I was actually surprised how many people wanted to try to get together while I was there. Of course it was the year of our 30th high school reunion too so I guess that makes people more nostalgic. Sadly, I was already scheduled to come home on the 4th and the reunion was the 6th. I'm just thankful for Facebook because I get to see everyone's photos from the reunion. Seems like everyone looks about the same as they did at the 20th reunion I was able to attend.So, now I am back home and have loads of work to get done this week. I need to work on the formats for theInto the Westbooks so I can go live on Barnes and Noble with everything, not justInto the West: The Orphan Trainin nook book which is currently available. And I have to get with Dianne about finishing the audiobooks.I know, I know, I have been saying that for months now but we have had major issues with sound quality on all our test recordings. While back home I did some major tech shopping and got a new sound set up, mic, studio headphones, and a popscreen. The short test recording I did after I picked this all up sounded so much better than anything we had previously made. I have high hopes we will have a good quality audio sound now. Before I would have rather not even done audiobooks if they were going to sound bad but I don't think I will have to make that decision now. Thank goodness!I also have to go back to school this week and see about setting up my next class. I know, I'm a glutton for punishment but truth be told I will go to college forever as long as I can afford it and manage my time. I really love learning. Yeah, I know. I'm weird but I own it!So, this week I plan to get the nook books up on sale, get my class set for this fall, and get Dianne to start on the audiobooks. If I have time, I will start setting up book three,Into the West: Sharon Springs. The characters are tired of waiting and want to get on with the story so I need to get my butt in gear before they drive me insane. Maybe this is really why some people become schizophrenic, they are writers who just don't realize they are writers and the voices they hear are characters trying to tell them a story they are supposed to write it down and share it with the world. Or I could just actually be schizophrenic and not realize it, I just manage it well, either option seems highly plausible.

Into the West: The Orphan Train Now Available on Nook

Quick note (P.R. is yelling at me that I need to go to bed. It's true so I'm not going to argue), I just wanted to let people knowInto the West: The Orphan Trainis now available on nook and I will work onInto the West: A New Hometomorrow.

Good News and Bad News ...

Today is a day of good new and bad news.Good News: my headache is finally gone after two days and I can think and function again. It was actually a good thing that I had the migraine yesterday when I was at the neurologist so they could check me out when I have having real issues.Bad News: I have to go back to two of the doctors next month to follow up to see if things that have been an issue right now are not hints at things that could be serious later on. I will worry about that when I know there is something I need to worry about, I have other more important things to do right now.Good News: I now have Into the West: The Orphan Train up on Barnes and Noble and available for sale in hardcover, paperback and nook book formats.Bad News: the covers for the print books aren't showing up right and I will have to take them off sale to fix them. It will only take me about an hour to fix all the covers but on my account sight they are still showing as "pending" not as "on sale" so I will have to wait until the status changes before I can do anything.Good News: I will be leaving Monday to go home and visit the folks. I haven't seen them since last year. I will even be in town for my mother's birthday. It will be fun to be there for something celebratory.Bad News: I hate flying and I hate leaving Shaggy here. P.R. will be traveling for work again so we had to make other arrangements for at least the first week I am gone.Good News: Our landlords who often take care of their daughters dogs and come and get Shaggy for playdates with their dogs have agreed to watch Shaggy the first week we are gone. The second week P.R. had arranged to take Shaggy along on the business trip.All in all there are more good bits of news than bad. If you can end on a good bit there is always hope.

Words Are Hard

This will be short and not so sweet.I have a migraine.It hurts to think.I'm going to bed.More tomorrow ...

Pain, Pain Go Away. Come Again ... Never!

I woke up this morning with a lovely sinus headache. I really hate those. They always seems to know when I have a lot of things I need to get done and choose those days to show up.I managed to get all of my little "Honey-Do's" done in between laying down in front of the fan and praying for death, or at the very least, a short coma until the headache passed. I even managed to work on getting the nook book program figured out so I can sell my books in the nook ereader format. I was able to completely load and set upInto the West: The Orphan Train.I'm not sure how long they hold these before they are available to the public, the print versions I loaded are still pending.The weather today didn't help at all. It climbed up higher than 100 here today. With no air-conditioning and only one small table top fan, it was hot. Sometimes I think we are insane to not have air-conditioning but in all honesty we would only use it about three weeks a year because the weather is usually pretty nice. But those three weeks can be hell!  Having a $40 electric bill does help take some of the sting out but not always, not on days like today. I think at the very least we need to get more, and bigger, fans! The only thing that has stopped us from doing that so far is neither one of us really want take the bus to go get them and then carry them home. Such dilemmas: die of heat stroke or hernias. I know, I'm very dramatic . . . I'm a writer.Tomorrow, I have my appointment with a neurologist here. This is the last of my visits to get set up with a new team of doctors here in our town. Should be interesting. I wonder if she will be familiar with my condition. I have met neurologists who were not. It's a rare condition so it's not surprising. According to the last report I read, Chiari occurs in only about 1/2 of 1% of the population. I can't win the lottery to save my life, which has better odds, but I hit the lucky number for Chiari. Yay me.I think I may wait until tomorrow to loadInto the West: A New Homeinto the nook program. I'm just too pooped. I normally love the heat. Saunas are my favorite thing about gyms, but today it's just wiping me out. Here is hoping the weather is better tomorrow. I wouldn't even mind a little rain.

Another Blah Day

This is another one of those lazy, no one seems to want to do anything days. The weather is bright and sunny, a bit too much so. We don't have air-conditioning here and the temperature outside is higher than 100. It kind of sucks the energy and intentions out of you.Shaggy is under the bed where it is dark and cool and I'm stretched out on top of it with my laptop trying to work, occasionally, though a nap sounds better.  It's hard to push through and work on things when it's this hot. I really want to go to Starbucks and get a Frappuccino but it's too hot to walk there. Starbucks needs delivery!So, as I sit here and dream of a Java Chip Frappuccino, I have been checking social media, posting blogs, updating information on websites and trying to get the motivation to finish reading the terms and conditions for publishing through nook ebooks. God, I hate reading terms and conditions!On a personal note, since P.R. and I got married and moved I have had to find new doctors. Because of my special condition I have to have a team of doctors not just one GP. So far I have met and liked two doctors who have agreed to take me on as a new patient and I meet the third and last one on Friday.Without trying to, I have ended up with a team of all female doctors. It's kind of cool. The first two look very similar, so much so I was a little taken aback when I first met the second one. I'm curious to meet the last lady this Friday and see if the trend continues.But for now I will finish my work and dream of Java Chip Frappuccinos!

Barnes & Noble Press

When reading about how to set things up on the Barnes and Noble Press site, I was feeling a bit apprehensive about using the site. Their directions for formatting appear on the surface to be much more complicated than the set up for Amazon but once you get into the program it is actually quite easy.I managed to get bothInto the West: The Orphan TrainandInto the West: A New Homeformatted and loaded in the press program in both 5x8 paperback and 6x9 hardcover formats. Both are currently pending for publication.  Pricing is a bit more expensive for the final paperback but the hard cover price is somewhat reasonable for a printed hardcover book.I am going to finish reading the terms and conditions for the nook ebook publishing site and see if I want to make it available in that format as well. I hope once I get things all set up I hope future books will be easy to load and move on to the next book.It's always good to have hope.