Goodbye 2012

As this year comes to an end one can't help but look back and review what has happened.

Like 2011 the year started badly with Wilbur being taken ill. Almost at the same time I was diagnosed with another breast cancer.

Surgery followed for both of us and radiotherapy for me.

Our pet insurance company refused our claim on a technicality and we were left to scrape together £2000 which has crippled us.

My dad was very ill and was in and out of hospital and I was plagued with a string of illnesses which made it impossible to visit him.

The side effects of my new hormone treatment left me in constant pain so each day was a struggle.

In september my dad died and I was left to sort out everything. On the day of the funeral I was given the date for my oopherectomy so with another operation, the stress of clearing his flat and sorting out his affairs coupled with the demands of strangers made for a difficult time. No wonder my blood pressure is high.

So those are the bad parts of the year but there were plenty of good bits too!

The Gathering
Snowy was given to me and she has been the light in my life
I judged a dog show!
Mike Peters gigs

But most of all I am humbled by the LOVE and support given to me by so many.

So in the embers of a horrible year the one thing that stands out for me is the amazing and wonderful people I have in my life.

Good News on Health

Hey!!!! I am well overdue some good luck in my life!!!

I have had a number of health worries; aches, thirst, gums not healing, lethargy, finger swelling etc. My doctor ordered a full and comprehensive set of blood tests.

Well.... with the way I feel right now and the bug I had a couple of weeks ago I thought I was going to be told some grim news.

So with reluctance I saw my doctor this morning and do you know what?? Clean bill of health. No signs of any types of arthritus, my white and red blood cells are fine, no to diabetes, my kidney function is good and so is my liver. Relieved is not the word! So I can officially put down all of my "health issues" to side effects of the anti cancer drugs I am taking. Relieved, happy and thankful is how I feel right now.

Now the only two things I have in my life to really be worried about are (in order) my dog Wilbur and his infections.

These are the drains fitted with his first lumbar infection.

I have googled it but can't find anything on the subject. The infection he has now is a different one to the first and its coming out rather than just in.

Twice he has been put on antibiotics and twice its cleared up only to come back worse than before so the stage we are at now is waiting and observing. They tried to aspirate the lump but nothing came out this time so it could be an infection which his body is fighting but its a wait and see situation.

The lump is the size of the top of a tennis ball and when you place your fingers around it and apply pressure it goes deeper, very deep. He is not in pain, he has no temperature, apart from the lump he is fine and happy.

The vet has suggested removing the tissue but because it is a deep routed infection there is no guarantee that they can get it all away and they will have to take away muscle as well as tissue.

So... I am a realist when it comes to my animals. I love them with my entire soul but I don't think I could subject my lovely boy to this sort of surgery especially with an unknown prognosis and the fact that this is an extremely rare situation.

I think I am going to return to the vet this week and ask if they can put him on a max dose of antibiotics for as long as possible to try and kill the infection this way. If this doesn't work then I am afraid all other doors are not an option for me.

The second worry I have is about the insurance company I am with, Animal Friends. They are refusing to pay for Wilburs first treatment on a technicality and so I have had to scrape together the funds to pay for this which not being in work and still recovering from a second cancer is extremely hard as you can imagine.

Today I posted a letter to the financial ombudsman with a prayer in the desperate hope that he rules in my favour or at least asks for a compromise.

Life is not easy.

Its full of stumbling points and pit falls and along with those comes the tears.

However, its easy to stay on the floor and give up the only answer is, to pick yourself up, dust yourself down and continue the journey.

I am sure that at the journeys end it will all be worth it.

Up and Down Around and About

Funny title for a post really but it kind of describes the last few weeks for me perfectly. 

Since Snowdon Rocks its been a strange time, lots of changes, lots of challenges and lots of worries.

The first thing that happened was the Rossett Village Fete and I judged the dog show. I was really nervous because its a popular show but once I got into the swing of things I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. I know what I could have done better so hopefully, if they have me back next year (which I hope they do) it will much improved. 

One of the ideas I have is for a cup or a rosette called the Love Hope Strength Pet of the Year. Basically, well before the show I would be giving out entry forms for people to nominate their pet for the award. All I would be asking for is their reasons as to how their pet has given them Love Hope and Strength. All entry fees taken would go to the charity itself and the winner would be chosen before the show and presented there. I would also like to put up a display board of all the entries as well.

I would also change some of the classes and definitely include one for young handler.

The same day as the show I came down with a virus. I was ill for over a week with a tummy bug, I have never been so ill with a bug in my life. I couldn't eat or even drink for days. How I did the show I don't know I think it was just through grim determination.

My youngest son started High School.

He is pictured here with his friend. We are neighbours and they were born within weeks of each other. Its nice that they have each other to go to school with.

It has been a big change for me because I now no longer have to do the school run. This gives me almost and extra hour a day!!!

Wilbur is still poorly! He developed a new infection in his side and has been treated with antibiotics but as soon as we finish a course it swells up again.

I took him to the vet on Friday and because not much fluid came out when she aspirated it she recommended leaving him for a week and monitor the swelling, it could be the natural healing process. He is happy in himself.... eating, playing, barking!!

I have had to find the money to cover the enormous vet bill we had from his previous illness. The insurance company Animal Friends wouldn't pay the bill because although I took Wilbur to the vet after the exclusion period, the vets notes said "Wilbur has been off colour for a week" they are saying that it takes us into the exclusion period. 

I wouldn't have agreed to the MRI scan had I known the insurance company wouldn't pay, I just didn't think! This is the reason you take out these policies!

I have been selling off my Steiff Bear Collection to raise funds to cover the bills and we are getting there slowly but it has been a huge weight on my shoulders.

I am so frustrated because its put us in an even tighter financial situation and I am not quite well enough to return to work. I could get a part time job in an office but that would give us child care issues and my heart is set on returning to dog grooming which is the job I love. However, I can't see me being able to cope as a mobile groomer so then I have to think about financing a salon.

I have been for genetic counselling and I have decided to get tested for the breast cancer genes. I feel that it is better to have the question answered than not. I have agreed to take part in a research programme, you never know it might help them to find out why these things happen especially as I was young and have had two breast cancers.

Whenever I go to these types of appointments I end up having a down day and Friday was the day for me. I might add that I had my Zolodex injection on the Monday so hormones may have had a part to play in it. The Zolodex injection flippin hurt, I nearly hit the roof and even the nurse was upset for me. I am going to see my GP and ask for the injection to be changed to monthly because the needle is smaller.

So.... it has been a bit of a funny few weeks as you can see.

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Bad Luck

I thought 2011 was a bad year for me with the sudden death of my much loved Aunty Heather, the tragic death of my best friend Poppy (dog), a so called friend turning out to be nothing of the sort and some online bullying and my fight with depression.

2012 has proved to be a right shiner so far and we are only five months in.......

I found out that I had a second breast cancer, my back has been killing me, my dog was seriously ill, the insurance company is turning down my claim for him, Cola hurt his back and Jason has dislocated his shoulder. I don't think I can take any more!

Having said that alot of good things have happened too so I  can't be all gloom and doom!

The first and best was the arrival of Snowy, our white miniature schnauzer and little monkey!!

The Gathering in Pontins was completely awesome and we met some fabulous friends.

....and I have some fab plans for the rest of the year!

I am off to a friends wedding next week and that will mean my meeting up with some superb people. I have gigs booked and am going with an excellant friend "Black Stone Cherry" and "Tyketto", quite possibly "Killing for Company" and I am walking up Snowdon to raise money for the Love Hope Strength Foundation.

Snowdon is one of my most favourite places in the world so I am looking forward to that very much.

Although bad has happened to me this year, good has come from it in a funny kind of way.

Choose Pet Insurance Carefully

Anyone who knows me knows how crazy I am about my animals. I make sure that they are cared for and as part of that, I make sure that they are insured.

Up until December 2011 I was with Direct Line Insurance for both of my dogs, had been with them for years. With pay cuts and costs rising I thought it would be a good idea to shop around and see if I was getting a competative quote.

I ended up changing my insurers to Animal Friends Insurance. Their colourful and friendly adverts pulled me in together with the fact that they donated to charity with each new policy. I felt safe.

In January my dog Wilbur took ill, I honestly thought he was going to die and his illness went on for weeks. I paid hundreds of pounds in vet bills until at last he needed an MRI scan and I knew that I would have to use my insurance company, who on earth can afford £2000 these days? I am going through cancer treatment for goodness sake and am not able to work!!!!

Wilbur was treated and thankfully made a good recovery! Sigh of relief?????? Yes and No!

The insurance company refused my claim on a technicality.

I have insured my animals for years and will continue to do so until they die. I have paid thousands and thousands of pounds in premiums but that was ok because I knew my animals would be safely covered should anything out of the blue happen.

How wrong I have been.

I have since read online reviews on them and wished I had done so earlier, I have learnt my lesson the hard way.

I have appealed against their decision but I dont think I stand a chance.

So I am left with a bill I can't afford to pay if I hadn't had insurance for Wilbur I wouldn't have gone ahead with the operation.