Archive for the ‘dogs’ Category

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Life Update

May 18, 2009

DSC_0066Me And My Sister!

I went back to the LPCH hospital on April 23rd. I was given another IV because I was severely dehydrated again. No surprise there. Then they transferred me over to another hospital called El Camino Hospital. Stanford rents out two units over there. One of which is called Comprehensive Care Program (CCP).

They put me in this unit which is for teens with eating disorders. I have to say I was very skeptical at first, and well…kind of pissed off they put me there. But I really think it helped me a little bit. At first, The nurses were all being very pushy telling me to drink more and didn’t understand gastric bypass surgery in the least. I got very frustrated and tired of telling each nurse everything they needed to know to take care of me.

I was there until May 2nd, when I was just starting to make progress with some pureed food and working with a counselor and Occupational Therapist to work through the pain. My insurance decided that I didn’t need “rehab” and wouldn’t answer the doctors calls. Three of my doctors and my surgeon were willing to have a conference call with the health insurance and they still did not answer the calls. I still have several doctors that want me to go back to CCP and they are still fighting with the insurance.

My insurace (Healthy Families/ HealthNet) has told my doctors that “Letting me go to Stanford and have surgery was a slip up in their paperwork.” And they no longer want to cover followup visits. Well guess what people, I HAVE to go back to Stanford now, whether you like it or not! So it looks like we’re in for another insurance fight.

As of right now, I’ve been in Chico for the past week and am going to stay for another week. I had an appointment at Stanford on the 20th but it was changed to the 27th because the adult surgeon, Dr. Morton won’t be there on the 20th. (who I have to see now, also because the pediactric surgeons don’t know what the hell to do with me). I think being in Chico has been really good for me. My sister, Angie is helping me a lot. She keeps me going.

After I got home from the hospital, (yes, I admit it) I gave up. Everything. All I was doing was sleeping all day, occasionally taking a walk. I stopped taking all my medication cold turkey and was drinking maybe 3 oz a day and half of a nutritional drink, which is about 100 calories. I’m doing a lot better than I was. I’m drinking 3-4 nutritional drinks per day and drinking 30-50 ounces a day. And with a lot of pushing from Angie I’m cautiously trying to eat a few foods. Honestly though, the smell of food makes me nauseious.

On top of all of this, Dr. Morton saw me on May 6th. He said if my pain and burning in my stomach had not gone away by the 20th (now the 27th) he wants to do an exploratory surgery and go into my closed off stomach and intestines.

Oh, and just for the icing on the cake, I had to make one of the hardest decisions of my life and put my baby girl, Daisy, to sleep on May 9th. She was 8 years old and had a bone tumor in her shoulder that was causing her a lot of pain. I love you baby and I miss you…

Daisy

Daisy December 16th, 2000 – May 9th, 2009

DSC_0019eyesOne of the pictures Angie took of me out at Chico State.

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Meet Todd…

October 28, 2008


Hey All,

Meet Todd! He is a male black labrador, I’ll be raising him as a starter puppy for a friend in Chico. She took Columbo for a couple months. We plan to switch back about Christmas time. Todd is a Righetti X Carmen puppy. He is very stocky and has big brown eyes. So far, he’s pretty calm…but I’m not going to push my luck. :) I was told there are 5 males, and I know that Tudor, and Tom are two of his brothers. Let me know if you know of any of the others!

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Health…And A Puppy.

October 16, 2008


We went to Stanford on October 10th. Not much is new…they finally sent the insurance letter and we should know in about a week whether the insurance will approve it, or if we’ll be fighting them for awhile. Which would stink because then it would take longer! Oh, and insurances are really starting to bug me!

I was on HealthNet, but they denied me even going to Stanford in the first place, so now I’m on Healthy Families…cross your fingers that they accept it! I had to try the liquid diet and puree diet for one day each, and that wasn’t so bad. I think if I make myself think it’s going to be worse than it actually is…it makes it easier! heh…

Keep me in your thoughts and prayers. I go back to Stanford on November 21st. Surgery isn’t scheduled yet, should be in December or January. I am fourth on the waiting list!

I’m getting a new guide dog puppy on the 25th! It’s just a starter puppy for my friend Kay, who’s a leader in Chico. She’s going to take Columbo for a couple months while I start her puppy, then we’ll switch back. I’m excited to have a new baby! Even if it is only for a little while…

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July 25, 2008

So, I ended up staying in Chico for three weeks! Well, I wasn’t IN Chico the whole time because I went to church camp (which was amazing). In between I stayed with Kathleen and Brandon. It was really nice to be away from “home.”
Columbo’s been kind of sick so I’ve been feeding him three times a day trying to get weight back on him.
I was approved for Gastric Bypass, so I’ll be having surgery this year! I’m nervous and excited at the same time…
Raelyn was adopted by a lady in Roseville, so we might go see her this weekend! I’m so glad the adopters are keeping in touch!

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Horses, Dogs, Ducks & Swimming

September 16, 2007

Went out to the horse rescue yesterday…and Jenni said she’s gonna let me ride her horse next weekend. So I’m excited about that… And I got to see Vino, my duckling! He’s adorable! (I know I’m silly, but I think all baby animals are cute) *with some exceptions. :o )

I gave the dogs a bath today, in my jeans :o ) Go ahead, tell me how stupid THAT was! I was soaked! Then, right after I finished, Daisy decided she wanted to roll in the dirt, so I had to wash her AGAIN! Dumb dog!

Caden, Doug’s german shepherd absolutely adores me for some reason… If I’m across the room from Doug and I yell “OW!” Caden goes and barks at Doug, like he’s somehow hurting me from across the room. :o ) I like this dog!

Guido, is still Guido. Full of energy and cannot stop moving/licking/running/jumping. :o )

Even though it’s getting windy, we’re still swimming in P.E. I’m glad I have it 6th period, cuz’ even at 2:10 the pool’s cold!

More Later,
Kaitlyn, Daisy, Caden, & Guido