"Fun" medical week

Do you ever have one of those weeks where it feels like the only time you are sitting down is when you're driving? Last week was one of those weeks!

Tuesday was normal; we had our homeschool meet-up at the library then went down to the park. We had Mal's dental stuff scheduled for Thursday, and I'd had to change a dental appointment of mine to later the same day, so Nana and Pappy agreed to come down and spend a few hours with Mal as he woke up, shook off the anesthesia, and got used to his new mouth stuff.

However, Wednesday afternoon, just as I was getting ready to take Mal to a different homeschool meet-up, D came in complaining of severe abdominal pain. This was the third time it's happened, way beyond just a stomach-ache, and the general physician had told D to go to urgent care/ER next time. So I took D to our in-network E/R but had to drop off and drive over to the transmission garage where our bigger car had been for a week.

The transmission was out and needed to be replaced, but the replacement would cost a couple of thousands of dollars more than I paid for the vehicle several years ago, so we were donating it to our local NPR station. We'd left it at the garage because James noted that if Mal had to watch the car get hooked up to a tow truck and driven off from our driveway, he'd have a breakdown. The tow company was coming to get the vehicle at 1:00 PM on Wednesday, so I had to get the title to the transmission place before they got there.

D had several tests run, was given some pain meds, and a couple of prescriptions, as well as a referral to a G/I. We had to pick up groceries on the way home, so it ended up being the whole day. 

Thursday, we had to be in Bastrop (which is an hour away with no traffic, so arrival at 8:15 AM was a slog through rush "hour" Austin) super early. Mal was fine until we actually headed back to the room, and he managed to put up a very good fight against four adults: James, the dental hygienist, the anesthesiologist, and me. His physical strength almost matches his strong will, so it took a while for him to nod off. 

Two baby teeth pulled, two missing caps replaced (and nerve treatments for those two teeth, since they'd been exposed for two and three years), two existing caps removed and replaced, one new cap on a baby tooth, two small holes (no obvious dental caries yet) on 6-year molars packed with white filling, and dental sealant on remaining molars. Whew!

Mal actually woke up in the office after the procedure. He was loopy, but aware. When he went under anesthesia at the age of 4, he just slept for five or so hours afterwards. 

We got him out to the car, and his biggest complaint, besides that it felt like everything was spinning, was that we'd reclined him in the front seat, and he's not supposed to be in the front seat.

Waking up (kind of) on the way home

We got home about the same time that Nana and Pappy got here. I fed them lunch, then had to go to my appointment for the second half of my deep cleaning. It was very anticlimactic compared to Mal's morning, and he was awake and himself the entire time his grandparents were here.

Friday morning, we had a kind of last-minute trip to the vet for Carol, who we realized during the week was using the bath mat as a replacement litter box. The vet determined that she likely has a UTI and put her on antibiotics. D had the idea that maybe Carol doesn't like our Modkat top-entry litter boxes (blasphemy!), so I bought her a *shudder* open litter box (it does have some privacy panels, but the front is easy-entry) and... D was right. Between the meds (which James and D are administering like pros), the new litter box, and an investment in puppy training pads, things have gotten substantially less frustrating for everyone. Well, maybe except for the medication administration, which Carol does not appreciate at all.

Friday afternoon, Mal had his bi-weekly play date at Urban Air. While we were there, a severe storm moved through the area, so that was dramatic. Fortunately, I don't think there was any damage, and, as always, we can use the rain.

Saturday, I was determined not to go ANYWHERE. Mal was "bored" but I loved it, and he ended up thinking of a lot of stuff to play. Sunday, we had our morning play date at McDonald's with his friend, Ryan, then stayed home the rest of the time. It was super awesome not to have any unpleasant surprises or medical appointments. 

Monday, Mal met with a speech therapist/feeding specialist to address the fact that he just doesn't want to eat a variety of foods. We'd made the appointment back in October but they're really backed up. It was kind of frustrating -- we had to wait more than half an hour after our appointment time, the session itself was an hour and a half, and she suggested several things that I am unwilling to do as I feel that they interfere with intuitive eating -- and interesting -- Mal has a mild sensory processing disorder, we should get him an electric toothbrush just to desensitize his mouth to new/unique sensations, and that studies have shown that if a child will put a food in their palm, they are likely to eat it.

I feel like we have some good starting points, but will likely not go back. They want one meeting a week, and for a half day, including the 40 minute drive there and home, it's just not worth it. Also, obviously, for any therapy to work, there has to be patient buy-in. It will shock you to know that Mal's just not that into it. Finally, I could tell in the intake paperwork that some of the people they help have a lot bigger issues than Mal does, and I don't want to take up an appointment that could be used by someone who genuinely just won't or can't eat.

Monday night, James and I voted (sorry LISD, but our property taxes are already ridiculously high, and it seems like your schools are pretty impressive without the three new bonds) then went to pick up food we'd ordered from Piroshky Piroshky Bakery in Seattle. Apparently, they have come down to Austin annually for a few years but this was the first I'd heard of it. Holy cow, were those things good.

D has a routine medical appointment later this week, then I think we're done with doctors and dentists for a bit. I hope so. We've blown through our dental insurance this year. Plus, you know, it's my preference that humans and felines in this house feel good and are doing well.

Let's all keep our fingers crossed for a boring week, people!