Still on the edge

Our dog, Zena, had surgery last Wednesday to remove the tumor in her abdomen. The surgery was a success -- Chesapeake Veterinary Surgical Services (and emergency, etc.) are, without a doubt, the best collection of vets on the planet.

The tumor was the size of a softball. It was encapsulated, which is good, but it did have a blood source. So it's possible for cells to be elsewhere, so we are still waiting for the biopsy.

On the bright side, her appetite is much improved. Granted, I'm making her boiled chicken and rice, but at first she wouldn't even eat that. Bodily functions are returning to normal. She's even starting to hump the cats again. :-) No kidding. It's one her most favorite activities.

Some people would argue why we would do that for a 13 year old dog. She's such an integral part of our family, it's impossible to think of not doing it. And between the loss of my mother and the stupid law suit and a string of other things making this year one of the worst of all times ... I just couldn't face one more loss ... one more bad thing.

So a ray of light is welcome. Watching Zena returning to normal is bringing us a great deal of pleasure in an otherwise dismal period. She's just a joy.

Just when you thought it couldn't get worse

I received a summons today as I was heading out to run an errand. I was in what I thought was a minor fender bender a few years ago. Two of my sisters and I were driving home from our nieces' wedding in Canada. We were at a stop sign and the car in front of me started to turn out onto the other road, but I guess she changed her mind because she stopped suddenly. More suddenly than I did. Everyone seemed ok. We exchanged information. Called the police to file a report and then we all drove home.

Well, she's decided that that was her lucky day and is suing us. The insurance companies are handling it right now, but we've already dealt with the incredibly painful passing of our mother. I'm trying to scatter her ashes. My dog is very ill. And now this.

As far as I'm concerned, Ms. Groomes is racking up some seriously bad karma. And if she EVER complains about how much insurance costs, she can just stand in front of a mirror and to see one of the reasons why.

In the mean time, I have to find a way to keep putting one foot in front of the other and get through the next few days. It just got harder to do. :-(