05 August 2007

Hello!

Hello...and, first of all, apologies for hardly being around in July. It's been a combination of feeling a bit down (which I have to say is getting less and less now - it used to be every week), working, working and working, which has completely wiped my energy...and training in Aikido, which has also completely wiped me.

I'll be graded in Aikido on 22nd August and the training has involved learning 6 new techniques...and I even now, I still struggle to remember how to do them. It's been somewhat stressful...and Sensei keeps saying 'Don't think about it, just do it', which is common sense when you look at it, but there's a glitch in my head that my memory keeps stumbling over. I know at some point it will all click and come together.......but I want it to click now!!!

Also, Fudge is now on heart tablets, and will be for the rest of his life. When he went back for his check up after the grass swallowing incident, they detected a feint gurgling sound when listening to his lungs. They ran some tests..and thankfully everything seems normal, i.e. liver, kidney and heart (despite the murmur) function is fine, but his heart is beginning to age and it's not working as good as it should, hence there's a tiny build-up of fluid in his lungs. I knew the heart medication thing would come sooner or later, and as the Vet keeps reminding me..they weren't expecting him to live beyond 6 years, so he's not doing bad at all, but it has been a worrying time. He's on a new heart medication that will not only support his heart, but also his kidneys too, which is great. He's been on the medication for a week now and, touch wood, there doesn't seem to be any side-effects.

And lasttly, work is getting me down. My department is taking over what is called the European Regional Development Fund, or ERDF for short. Currently all the regional Government offices in the UK manage and appraise these funds, but from October,the management and appraisal process will fall under the responsibility of all the Regional Development Agencys in the country (we are sort of classed as part of the Government, even though technically we are not), so thankfully it's not just us in the East Midlands that's having the headache. But it is getting quite stressful, and the workload is really full on and relentless. Hence this is the reason when I've got home just lately all I've wanted to do is have a soak in the bath and have an early night.

So this has been my world since I last posted. I've done only a very small amount of stitching because I've been too tired to concentrate....so it's all been a bit...well PANTS really. It's s long excuse I know, but I'm sorry I've not been around to look at all your lovely blogs and I've missed you all terribly. I'm hoping normal service will resume shortly. Thanks for your patience so far...I will try to look at blogs later on in the week.

Carto xxxx

9 comments:

Singular Stitches said...

Good to see the post, Girlfriend!

Also good to hear that it's beein busy and not being down that's kept you from posting.

Give Fudge a hug for me, that sweet little old man. :o)

stitcherw said...

Glad to see you back and doing ok, if stressed out. Don't worry about not posting or visiting, just when it fits in and it won't add more stress to your already full table stop by and say a quick hi. Didn't mean to put pressure on you, was just worried as it had been a while and you aren't normally quite that quiet.

Glad Fudge is still doing well. Hopefully the new meds continue to help him with no side effects. It is rough when they start getting old. Both my dogs are on arthritis medicine now, and recently we had to add extra pain meds (like high dose aspirin) for Sasha in the morning and evening. She's almost 12 now and for her breed that is quite old. The vet says she's doing great for her age though. The only time you notice her arthritis is on long walks and if she has to go up stairs. Otherwise, she's out and about and chasing squirrels like a much younger dog.

Hope work settles down for you soon, it's not much fun coming home that drained all the time. Take care of yourself and know that we're thinking of you. {{hugs}}
Sue

Leeland said...

Well, this has been a hectic month indeed! I hope you soon have a holiday to get some rest?!
I think the medicine you're giving Fudge is named Fortekor (at least, in France). One of my cats was a tester of the first uses on kidney treatment for cats (originally, this was used for dogs' heart: we had to cut those little pills in 8!!!). I'm glad Fudge is fine with it.
Take care, Heidi. As Sue said, we're thinking of you.
Lili

Hazel said...

Awww glad you are still about albeit a little stressed! Good to hear from you - you were missed. xx

Alberta said...

Carto I hope this finds you well. Fudge is lucky to have you as a caregiver.

All the best on the 22nd with your Aikido grading. Enjoy those baths after a hard day at work...and sleep well!

As to not stitching much, it should be a pleasure not a chore. When the time is right, the stitching will be easy!

Take care!

Aussie Stitcher said...

Happy to see you back posting. I hope that Fudge stays well and that work settles down for you.

Joanne

stitcherw said...

Just wanted to stop by and wish you good luck on your Aikido test this coming week. Hope both you and Fudge are doing well.
Sue

Hazel said...

Hope you're okay. Please feel free to join in my giveaway. xx

stitcherw said...

So, how did you do? I'll bet you did great. If I lived closer maybe you could teach me, I've always thought it would be fun to learn something along the lines of Aikito or Judo. Hope you and Fudge have been doing something fun.
Sue