Failed Photo Shoot

Boo, unhappily outside

Peggy Sue, refusing to look at the camera

Boudreaux, refusing to look at the camera

Today was absolutely beautiful and I thought it would be a great photo opportunity for Boo and both cats.  From the beginning, Boo just wanted to go back inside.  He wasn't hot.  The sun wasn't too bright.  He wasn't tired.  Boo just wanted to go back inside and that was that.  He did allow one picture---and only one.  So, I decided to photograph the cats who were sitting side by side "chirping" to each other.  On no!  They promptly separated and refused to even look at the camera.  Maybe I'll wait til it rains again, hustle Boo and the cats outside for a photo shoot and see if that works better.

    

Weather Watch

     Last night Boo had to stay awake to monitor the weather channel until 1:30 or 2:00am.  He's intensely interested in unusual weather.  I suppose growing up in Louisiana he learned to pay close attention to the weather.  At one point, Boo gave the cats (We're cat sitting Boudreaux's mother.)  a very stern lecture about what they were to do if we had a tornado.  They sat about two feet apart and appeared to be listening.  Wonder what they were thinking?
     Boo's blood pressure is still much lower.  He is more alert and consistantly aware of his surroundings than he was before he had the stint inserted.  He is still unsteady at times, but that seems to be lessening with each day.

     This has been a very interesting day.  We are "cat sitting" for Boudreaux's mother, Peggy Sue.  Usually we take care of Peggy Sue at her home, but that isn't not an option this time.  Boo has spent most of the day trying

Happy Easter!

     This has been a blessed Easter.  We watched part of the Easter Vigil from Rome last night---until Boo went to sleep.  This morning two women from the local Catholic mission brought Boo Communion.  Later, we walked to Mom's house to spend time with part of my family.  Boo is sleeping in Mom's den.  Mom probably is too.
     Here is my long overdue update on Boo's stint.  Last Wednesday we went to the hospital to have a stint placed in Boo's right renal artery which almost completely blocked.  For once, everything that could possibly go right, went  right.  We were able to bring Boo home on Wednesday afternoon.  (This is usually done as an outpatient; but given Boo's medical history, the cardiologist was sure Boo would be admitted for a few days.)  The only "complication" has been his sleepiness.  Because of Boo's strokes, he is more sensitive to being sedated and it definitely took him longer to really stay awake. 
     So far, the renal stint seems to be helping to lower his blood pressure.  This morning, eleven hours after his last medication and before he'd had any of his morning medications, his blood pressure was 130/78.  Currently, he is off of two of his BP medications.  There's a good chance he'll be able to discontinue some others as well.  Boo is scheduled to visit his family doctor 4 May 2011.  He is also scheduled to visit a nephrologist to determine how much function he has in his right kidney and what else, if anything, needs to be done.  Maybe, just maybe, Boo's on the right track at last...

Genealogy

     Because yesterday was one of Boo's quiet, sort of needy days, I began researching Boo's genealogy.  At first I thought he'd easily remember some things.  Absolutely not!  However, as I found little bits of information, Boo was able to confirm them and add a little to what I'd found.  It's been VERY slow going, but we are making progress.  Thus far, he's been interested.  (It serves another purpose too.  If Boo focuses on remembering things he was told growing up, then he doesn't fixate on what he cannot remember right now.)  One interesting tidbit:  Boo's Cajun relatives took the biblical admonition to "be fruitful and multiply" extremely seriously.

Quiet, Unsettled Day

     Boo has had a very quiet day.  Two wonderful women from Sacred Heart brought him Communion this morning.  Afterwards, he napped for a while.  He ate lunch when he woke, but wasn't sure where he was.  We have a routine to help him reorient himself---it's usually effective.  Today, however, he just wanted to sit beside me and hold Boudreaux.  Boudreaux has been absolutely a gem.  He has allowed Boo to hold him for hours and has tolerated having his fur rubbed the wrong way.  Thank heavens for Boudreaux!  Now if I could only convience Boo to eat some supper...

A Wonderful Day!

     Boo has had one of the best days he's had in a very long time.  He was alert and talkative for several hours---which is not always the case.  Of course, his lovely daughter and granddaughters provided great motivation.  Thank you so much for your visit! 
     Boo's sleeping now and probably will for a while.  His last words before drifting off were, "This was better than Christmas!"

Renal Arterial Gram

     Unless they call us in sooner, Boo is scheduled for a renal arterial gram and a possible stint on Wednesday, April 20th.  I'll post more information as I have it.

Allergies

     I think we'd better buy stock in Kleenex!  Boo has been sneezing and coughing since supper last night.  After checking with the pharmacist to determine what over the counter medications Boo could take, I tried to make him more comfortable.  That was three hours ago.  Thus far, he is miserable still---but he's no longer coughing.  All he wants to do is curl up on the sofa or day bed and rest.  I've been pushing fluids and keeping a close check on his blood pressure.  We'll see...

Enjoying the Outdoors

Boo enjoying the lovely weather.

I love the dogwood!

Boo sat outside and ate a sandwich---which he shared with Boudreaux.

Boudreaux watching for some of Boo's peanut butter sandwich.  You should watch him trying to eat it!

The last few days have been absolutely gorgeous!  Boo walks in the early morning or in the evening to avoid the heat.  He seems to have a low tolerance for heat.  There is a woodpecker across the street from our house that is very active when we walk.  Boo knows that he is close to home when he hears the woodpecker.  (Of course, he is sometimes wrong because there is another woodpecker near my mother's house.)  There's also a bunny in our side yard.  On Boo's good days, he can see the bunny hopping from one of the dogwoods to near the hedge.  Boudreaux is terrified of the bunny and runs to Boo's lap when the bunny is on the move.  We seem to have more squirrels than anything else.  Boo sometimes notices a blur when they're running from tree to tree.  He can hear them chatter and has been talking back to them.  When they hear him, there is dead silence for a while and then they start again.
Yesterday Boo and I ate sandwiches and fruit in our yard.  Boo fed Boudreaux pieces of his sandwich.  If you've never seen a cat eat peanut butter, you are missing a treat.  Boudreaux chews and chews and chews and finally spits it out.  I guess Boudreaux thought that if Boo was eating the sandwich, it must be good.  He's a silly cat!