Stovelonghi Family http://stoldorf.posterous.com Erika, Patrick, Mila & Packer posterous.com Thu, 06 Jan 2011 12:19:00 -0800 Diverticulitis http://stoldorf.posterous.com/diverticulitis http://stoldorf.posterous.com/diverticulitis

The end of 2010 was not the greatest for our family.  I kicked off the end of year celebration by getting sick and going to the ER.  It all started the weekend before December 12th where my diet consisted of lots of seeds and berries.  By the evening of Sunday the 11th, I started with a tummy ache and some not so great bathroom breaks.  I chalked it up to having to much cheese that evening, since I am lactose intolerant.  I felt mostly bloating which I thought would go away by the next morning.  Unfortunately, that was not the case.

 On Monday morning, my pain increased to some mild cramping and continued to get worse as the day progressed.  By lunch time, I was doubled over in pain.  Patrick came to meet me for lunch at our usual time of 2pm, where we discussed me leaving early to see my doctor.  However, when I called my General Practitioner, she would not be in the office till the following day.  The office suggested that if I was in so much pain I should skip Urgent Care as well, they wouldn’t have the proper equipment to check me over, and to head straight for my local ER.  Saint Joseph’s hospital in Burbank is only a few minutes away.  I decided to drive myself, since Pat couldn’t get off work to take me, and I needed immediate medial attention.  Once in the ER, it didn’t take long for me to get a bed in back.   I called my mother as I was supposed to speak with her that afternoon about something to do with her apartment, letting her know I was not at work, and that I have gone to the hospital.  I reassured her that I would be okay and to not worry about me.  Unfortunately, she didn’t get her voicemail till later that afternoon. =)  My phone was uncharged, so I quickly sent a text to Pat letting him know I was at bed 20 before it officially died.

 I was in the hospital from 2pm to 9pm.  I had the normal tests done, blood, urine, and a CT scan of my abdomen. Both my blood and urine looked good according the ER doctor, however there was a slight trace of bacteria in my urine, which resulted because my colon was swollen.  The CT scan reveled that I had a small kidney stone in my right side (3mm) and that my colon was being plagued with mild Diverticulitis. 

 Patrick and my mother arrived at the hospital around 7:30 p.m. I was so relived to have some company.  My mother scolded me for leaving her that voicemail, she had been so worried even though I told her not to.  She joked that I was the healthy one in the family and it was a big deal if I go to the ER.  It was nice.  Crying, I had told them what I found out from my doctor.  Patrick immediately calmed me, and my mother and doctor explained a little more what my condition entailed, my mother being a nurse herself.

 My kidney stone was passable, though it was going to hurt, if or when I ever do pass it.  There would be no treatment for it.

 Diverticulitis is a condition where the colon forms “pockets,” which can trap seeds, nuts and other items that I am no longer allowed to eat.  After three “episodes” in the same area of the colon, it would be possible for my colon to rupture, leaking into my abdominal cavity, which would then require emergency surgery. 

 After 6 hours in the ER, I was given a shot of Dilaudid pain medication and was to be sent home with two sets of antibiotics and some Vicodin for my pain.  They also wanted me to follow up with my GP within a few days.  

 On Wednesday the 14th, I saw Dr. Mezaros.  She explained that although the ER doctor said my condition was mild, this was very serious.  Usually they don’t see this in patients under the age of 50 years.  She took some more blood and urine and ordered a CT scan for later that day.  This time I was to drink a mild radiation in order to see more clearly on what was going on in my colon/abdomen.

 I hope you never have to experience this liquid.  It looks and smelled like apple lotion, thankfully, it didn’t really have a taste, but it was thick enough not to enjoy.

 The following day, I met with a Gastroenterologist in the Cedar-Sinai medical group.  Like Dr. Mezaros, she agreed that this was serious for a 28 year old.  She ordered I start on probiotics called Align, and scheduled for me to have a colonoscopy on the 28th of January 2011. 

So that’s where my health is right now…

Btw, my Grandmother and my Great Aunt Dorothy were both treated for the same condition, though after the age of 60.

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Wed, 11 Aug 2010 12:28:00 -0700 Did Someone Say Mischief? http://stoldorf.posterous.com/did-someone-say-mischief http://stoldorf.posterous.com/did-someone-say-mischief

I love my girls, but sometimes they get a little out of hand.  We have those occasional accidents I do so look forward to cleaning up... Potty mishaps are the most common, the occasional knocking something over, getting into our trash can, trying to see what I'm cooking and stealing a sample when I'm not looking... You know, the usual.  Last week though, Mila's Mischief took the cake.

Normally during the week, Packer is crated.  Occasionally we also put Mila in with her if we are having the handyman over.  In the last month, we've had to have them over quite frequently.  Our screen door had come off, and then we were having problems with our central air.  Mila is a very smart girl, and took it upon herself to learn how to open the bottom lock of the cage door and wiggle her 20 lbs butt out.  Not wanting that to happen while the air conditioner men were over, we closed her in our bedroom while we were at work.  Mila doesn't like to be shut in there either apparently, because this was what we found when we came home.

::GASP::

Of course... this what it looks like after you vacuum and lay the carpet down properly. It's at the entry way of our bedroom.

Patrick and I were dumbfounded.  This really does take the cake.  There was no apparent reason to try to dig her way to China, at least that's how we see it.  So, in order to fix the problem, Pat and I decided to go to Petco that very evening and purchase a crate for Mila as well.  It's more of a travel crate then the huge thing we have for Packer.  I feel sorta bad that it's come to this, but offenders need to be jailed, lol.  We're only going to use it when we need to have something fixed, otherwise she get's free reign of the apartment.  We did try once to confine her to the living room, but wouldn't you know it, Mila learned how to open up our bedroom door. Clever girl.

So although the carpet is damaged, my manager, Clair, was actually pretty cool with the situation.  She actually laughed and thought Mila was pretty funny for doing that; Yea, "haha", you don't have to pay to get it fixed, we do.  Clair's going to have one of her vendor's come to the apartment sometime this month to see if they can just replace the damaged part.  She's having carpet installed in one of the other units and so we won't get charged for the visit, just for the piece of carpet.

I guess it's a cheaper lesson in doggie parenting then last time, when the girls had a party and ate 4 bars of rat poison in February.

Carpet estimate $100
Vet Bill for stomach pumping $269
Happy and Healthy Dogs... Priceless.

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Tue, 10 Aug 2010 09:55:00 -0700 Back to the Dog Park we go! http://stoldorf.posterous.com/back-to-the-dog-park-we-go http://stoldorf.posterous.com/back-to-the-dog-park-we-go

It's been a couple of months since Patrick and I took Mila and Packer to the park.  Packer had developed a skin rash and a wart on one of her ears; how she got it, we're still not sure.  We thought it best to give them a cool down period before we took them back.  Usually Patrick and I go together, so we can keep a close eye on things.  Are girls are usually pretty good, they are not ones to start a fight, but you never know about someone else's dog. 

The day I took them back to the park, Patrick couldn't come with me.  He and his guys friends had a Dodger game to go to.  This was the first time I was going alone.  Now if you've met my dogs, you know they can be a handful at times.  I was surprised to see that they were on their best behavior for me. =)

Mila is ball crazy, and will run after her "one" ball for hours on end if I let her. She has this yellow half ball, since she has chewed it to death; it's the only thing she will run after.  Sometimes while we're playing another dog will steal it from her and I have to chase that dog around to get it back.  Some of the other owners at the park have told me I'll lose it if I keep bringing it, but it's the ONLY thing she will chase.  I'd rather have to hunt the other dogs down to get the ball then not have her play.

Mila_ball

 

Packer usually runs a muck, she likes to be chased.  It's not uncommon to see Packer get a group of dogs together to chase her around the park.  It's fun to watch, but you have to watch out for them clobbering you in the legs every now and then. 

I really enjoy taking them to the dog park.  Ideally, Pat and I would love to go every day when we get off work, though that doesn't always work out.  I love the fact that the girls go right to sleep when we get home, and there is usually no extra horse play.  They are awesome dogs, though sometimes they do get into some extra mischief.

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http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/681628/11-09-08.jpg http://posterous.com/users/4wjEU92l4S4x Erika Stoldorf Erika Erika Stoldorf