June flew by in a blur with markets almost every weekend, and July brought some much needed rest, though not in a way I would have planned for...
One of our younger kitties, Oscar, ended June by getting very sick with urinary issues. We rushed him to the emergency vet in Ottawa on Saturday June 22nd where he was diagnosed with Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease (FLUTD), given pain medication, and sent home with instructions to monitor him and return if he had trouble peeing.
He was doing ok until Monday morning, when David had trouble waking him up and we realized he was straining in the litter box and not able to pee. Once we sent our daughter off to school, we rushed Oscar back to the emergency vet where they were able to insert a urinary catheter to relieve the blockage. We spent the rest of the week driving back and forth to Ottawa to visit him in hospital, and the rest of the time worrying about him. As much as I tried going down to the studio to sew, I couldn't focus enough to get anything done.
That Friday we were finally able to bring Oscar back home, with a new batch of medications, and a new diet of vet prescribed urinary food. After a couple weeks of meds (at all hours) and lots of rest, he was doing much better and today he's back to his normal, happy self.
Oscar is one of two barn kittens (brothers) that we adopted back in July 2020. They are very close, and our big worry was how Oscar's brother, Toby, would react to losing his brother. Although it was a hard decision (and expensive), we decided that we had to do what we could to help Oscar.
Just when things were starting to get back to some sort of normal, I somehow managed to twinge my lower back and was out of commission for yet another week. I was put off work for a year in 2018 because of a lower back injury, so I knew this was my body's way of demanding a rest. I certainly did not want to end up in the same spot as last time, with endless days of pain and physiotherapy.
As much as I wanted to get back to work in the studio, I knew I had to take some time to make sure I was able to do so. I have no problem admitting that I love to keep busy and I'm always pushing myself to do more than I probably should, especially when it comes to work. This latest setback seemed like a pretty clear message that I need to make sure to prioritize my health as much as I do my work, and that a break was needed.
After a week or so of rest, pain meds (as needed), and getting some physio exercises, I felt much better and was able to get back to work in the studio. But, I have been trying to limit how much time I'm spending in the studio, and enjoying some time in the pool with the family.
After all, the days are getting shorter and before I know it classes will be back in session at the College. Gotta enjoy the summer while I can!
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