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...