National Spay Day 2011

The mission: spay/neuter 80 animals in the span of one day. The pay: Feeling good and experience.

Today was national spay day. For our practice, two of our doctors and several staff members partnered with the SPCA here to spay (or neuter), microchip, and vaccinate 80 animals. There were other doctors there of course (our doctors are awesome, but that would be a challenge to do it with just two) and other volunteers. One of my co-workers and I teamed up to induce one pet after another to anesthesia and prep them for surgery. What does that mean? Giving them a sedative in the vain in their leg, putting a breathing tube in, clipping their nails (not necessary for but helpful since they are sound asleep), shaving and scrubbing the surgery site.

One surgery suite.



Second surgery suite. The two doctors are from our practice, DE (near) and DTC (far). So are the two technicians, PM (near) and SB2 (far).

As of today, I knew how to do...none of those. By the end of the day, I was able to assist on all of the above. My co-worker and I became a well-oiled machine. I gave the oral pain medication then restrained for the IV stick. My co-worker stuck then I held the patient's mouth open for intubation. Once intubated, we would turn the patient over and I would start shaving the belly while my co-worker would clip the nails. I would scrub the belly and one of us would give a morphine injection.

And while we waited for a table to open up, we could watch the feline neuters. They're so fast and simple, one doctor could do five of them in less than half an hour.

My co-worker would carry the patient to surgery and we would tie down the legs, hook the pet up to oxygen and anesthetic, and open the surgery pack. Then we'd back out, and start over. I lost count of how many dogs and cats we did (cats were much easier because they already had a heavy sedative). A lot. We were a swell team and my co-worker was excessively patient and willing to teach. So were my other co-workers who I saw far less of throughout the day. We all had a place in the busy hive.

Dog spay.



This is what a cat's uterus and ovaries are supposed to look like. The images of the hydrometra are below and are not for the weak of stomach.

I watched a neuter from start to finish. Guys, look away. It really is like watching someone pop a pimple. I watched a spay from start to finish and saw some unique things. Like cryptorchid neuters (where one testicle is still inside the abdomen somewhere), hernias, and hydrometra in a cat (where the uterus is full of water). The doctors from our practice were willing to explain what I was watching and I am extremely grateful to them for their patience as well. I learned how to microchip as well (more simple than a lot of the other things I learned today but still useful).

I was watching DTC do a spay on a cat when we heard an amazed gasp from someone next to DE. This is why. The uterus here is enlarged with fluid. We do not know why.



It's pretty cool looking and I watched DE work on this for quite awhile.



These blood vessels are awesome! Can't see them on a normal uterus. Only the distended ones!

Overall, the day was extremely successful. Not a terrible way to spend a day off. Thanks again to everyone!

FFR

The one where I really ride

Yesterday I was overly ambitious. I felt really crummy on Thursday, better yesterday but not perfect. My plan was to do laundry and rest. However, Aunt J really needed someone to drive her to her doctor's appointment. So I took her and I was glad to be there for her. When I went home, I thought I'd stop off at the DMV and pick up the Driver's handbook. I already had the Motorcycle handbook but I knew that to get my permit I would need to take the driver's test (half of it at least) as well.

When I got there, it was empty. Almost anyway. Those furlough Fridays confused people for so long that no one thinks it's open on Fridays at all! Of course, while I was there, figured I'd just take the test. So I did and I passed. I got my picture taken (and I rather wish I hadn't) and got my permit.

When I got home, I rode the bike around the compound, down the road. Put on a mile or two. When Working Man got home, I nearly attacked him. He didn't even get to change before he conceded to ride with me and ride we did. On the road. I had a ton of fun. I never got scared, I was nervous, but I wasn't terrified like I thought I might be. I still have to learn how to trust the lean on the bike a little more.

We put six or seven miles on the bikes together. I'm genuinely looking forward to riding again. Just short distances and in non-congested areas for now. When I take my safety course I'll be more comfortable with cars and such but for now, it's enough to ride on our two lane back roads.

FFR

The one where I ride

Well you already know the information you need to know about what I did on Sunday. I rode the bike up and down our road and put a couple miles on it. All I could think about yesterday at work was Vroom Vroom. I really wish I didn't come home at night, I don't like waiting until Friday to ride again. Plus, Working Man is working on Friday so I'll have to wait for him. As a plus side, I can go to the DMV and get my permit so I can ride on public roads eventually, legally. Did you know they have the driver and motorcycle handbooks online? They take a really long time to download. But I waited. I had to. I'm going to need to pass the test. That and I need to know the information.

And now the pictures!

I'm smiling but I'm concentrating really hard on the turn ahead of me.



Ah, I made it. Oh wait...there's another one.



And again!



By now, I've had a ton of fun but my clutch hand is definitely tired.



I was sad to put it away for the day, but my arm was tired for sure.

And now, work. And thinking about the vroom vroom,
FFR

The one with details...

I don't quite know what we had in mind for this weekend. I know I really wanted to sleep in on my day off and probably do little else. I have the unfortunate disposition of being like a turtle. I can really only do one type of thing at a time. I am excellent and multi-tasking within types of things, but I don't focus well one two types of things. Confused yet? I am. But really, when I'm working, I can multi-task all day long at work but I simply have no desire to do anything else once I get home. Thus, on my days off, I do not want to do anything. I don't want to ride the horses when I'm focusing on work, I do not want to take pictures when I'm focusing on work. I still think that makes zero sense but go with it.

Anyway, yesterday was my day off and I looked forward to doing nothing. Only, we never did nothing. We decided to go out and look at motorcycles. A guy in our HOG (Harley Owner's Group) club needed to sell one of his motorcycles. We went down to the dealer to let me sit on a few of the same type so I could feel if how it felt (MIL J had already done this) and later that afternoon we went down to Booya's to check his out. Working Man rode it. Said it felt good. Jade rode it. Said it felt good. They offered it to me. Up until this point, I had only ever duck-walked with a very heavy bike. So I figured I could duck-walk with this much lighter bike as long as Working Man was next to me. (And no, I was not in flip flops, it's not safe)

So I duck-walked down the road a bit, getting my feet off the ground more and more often. When I turned around, Working Man told me to go for it so I rode back, feet hovering over the ground, but off the ground nonetheless. I don't have pictures of this first ride but I took some pictures of the bike, and Working Man took some photos of my rides yesterday when I got home.

Oh yeah, we decided to buy the bike. It's almost paid off, is low-mileage and super easy to handle. Compared the trike, this thing turns on a dime!

The whole bike. It's a nice bright red color so we'll be seen. Additionally, we're going to get the engine guard so if either of us end up dropping it, our legs don't get caught.



Mmm...I like it. Look at that chrome!



It's so pretty. And comfortable. The seat Booya put on is really comfy. We'll see how it feels after 80miles but for now, it feels nice.



I put two miles on it yesterday. I couldn't believe how riding up and down our road could put on two miles!



I love the bar and shield detail. It's on the back of the bike, where a passenger would sit if we were to have one.



Booya put on top of the line pipes. Loud pipes save lives. These babies are really loud. You can hear me well down the road.

Know what I really like? It's really forgiving in first gear. The only time I stalled it is when I forgot to use the clutch when putting it in first. Otherwise, it just motors along. Oh, for the motorcycle people out there, it's a 2006 Sportster 1200 Low. And it's FUN.

Maybe I'll trade in my flip flops for riding boots more often,
Flip Flop Rider

The one where Sister K Drives Again

Sister K is like any other 16 year old. She wants to drive. Actually, that's a lie. She wanted to go shopping more than driving. Personally, I think this makes her sick. Something's just wrong with that. Anyway, we told her she needed to drive anyway. Homegirl needs to practice her driving, even if she's reluctant to do so.

So here are some pictures from Sister K's second drive around in the truck.

By the way, did you notice Sister K's new short hair? I like it, it reminds me I need to get mine cut. It's getting long enough to be annoying. Working Man likes it long, I like it short...and so the battle continues. In the end, Sister K did just fine in the big giant truck. She managed to park it in a parking space. Figure, if she can learn to drive the truck, she can learn to drive a car in no time.

Our kids are going to end up driving when they're four. Starting with dirt bikes. Working Man will insist upon it. I'll just be at home worrying about them. And chewing my fingernails off. One by one.

FFR