Sunday, March 7, 2010

Paging Dr. K....

Hello All,

Yesterday was a beautiful, sunny day here. The temperature went up into the 40's and while I was driving in my car, I popped open the sunroof just for fun.

I had lunch, got some housework done, and was even able to take my dog for a walk for the first time in weeks (the sidewalks were about 99% clear of snow).

Yes, it was a great day, until about 8:00 pm. That was when my cat, who is usually very docile and sweet, started acting up. She'd been looking out the window and suddenly jumped down and began running all over the room. Then, she jumped back in the window, thumping her tail. Something outside obviously had her spooked. I glanced out the window to see what it was.

BIG mistake...

My kitty, in her agitated state, didn't appreciate my intrusion and swatted me in the mouth.

With her claws out.

My mouth quickly filled with something warm and raw, which ran out when I screamed in pain. Not to get too graphic, but that swat from my little pussycat pugilist resulted in a trip to the emergency room, a tetanus shot, six stitches on my upper lip, and a very swollen lower lip. My mouth looks like I went a few rounds with Mike Tyson rather than one round with a tabby cat.

I was prescribed antibiotics and assured that once the swelling goes down, everything should heal nicely.

Now, there's really not much funny about all this. I'm probably going to have to drink my meals and miss work for at least the next couple of days. But, you'll never guess who treated me in the emergency room:

Dr. Kelly.

No, not Jack Kelly, although I was hoping that would be his first name so this story would have an incredible twist ending. As it was, though, I got to talking (well, mumbling) with the doc and told him that one of my favorite actors was named Jack Kelly. I mentioned Maverick, but Dr. Kelly looked to be only about 25 and he replied, "That must have been a little before my time". Yeah, it was a little before my time, too, but suddenly I felt like I was about 100 years old.

I'm doing okay today. I'm just very thankful that my injuries weren't more severe and that only my mouth (and not my eyes and nose) was involved. I'm resting in bed. Fortunately, I have a nifty little netbook that I can use to blog and catch up on my other computing when I'm not napping.

And, yes, I did forgive my kitty, who is back to her usual placid self. However, the declaw discussion will be on the agenda during her next visit to the vet...

12 comments:

  1. So sorry to hear about your run in with kitty's claws! I hope you feel and look less swollen real soon!!
    I now have a gray tiger cat, named Tom Jones, or TJ for short...there is a story about the name..too long for now. :)
    Before my husband died in 2005, we had dogs for about 25+ yrs....So, I love them all...even 'squirrels"...the 4-legged kind, anyway! LOL

    I love that you had a Dr. Kelly! Isn't that nice...if anything is 'nice?' about getting
    scratched.??
    Have a good week, and take care..I meant to tell you this...my cat was also looking out the screen door at a neighbor's cat once, and nipped me on the leg, when I shushed the other cat away!! :) He didn't break the skin though, but sure surprised me. I always just chalk that kind of thing up to being a cat...I don't yell or get angry at TJ. <3

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  2. Hi Janet! Thanks so much for your kind words. I'm feeling better and the swelling has gone down some. I still won't be in the running for "America's Next Top Model" for a while (not that I was before). ;->

    My kitty Moll is a gray tiger (tabby), too. I still love her. I know she didn't mean to hurt me.

    Yes, I couldn't believe it when the ER medic introduced himself as Dr. Kelly. He may not have been a Jack Kelly, but he did an excellent job of stitching my lip. I hardly felt a thing.

    Well, thanks again Janet. I hope you and TJ have a wonderful week. :)

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  3. Hi Again!

    Should I call you "Bartista?" I am never quite sure if I should? :) So glad you are feeling better!
    It is funny about my cat, TJ...he is a big old Tom cat, but he is just such a 'fraidy cat,' more than anything else. Do you remember "Bon Ami" cleanser? The tag line for it used to be: "Hasn't scratched yet!" ha ha Well, that is TJ, so far. But, he can act pretty ferocious when he wants to. :) He isn't neutered...he was a stray...appeared on my front porch in December, about 3 yrs. ago. I had some turkey, and fed him that...he "sang" to me...that is why I called him Tom Jones! He made a sound somewhere between a meow and a purr...and, altho' my husband Joe is gone now...he knew I loved Tom Jones...so, I feel like Joe is in on the whole thing, and wouldn't mind one bit!! :-
    Have a good evening...I am in Central Pa....had temps near 60 today...great!

    Janet

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  4. Janet, such a sweet story about how TJ "found" you! :) I love the Bon Ami comparison, too--wish I could say the same about my kitty!

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  5. I hope you are feeling back to normal today...I had to chuckle at what I just said, because my answer would be, "I don't know what "normal" is, but I am OK." Seriously, hope your face is fine now, Bartista. :)
    I have my grandson with me today...poor guy had a 24 hr. gastro-intestinal problem last night...he is still running a slight fever, but feeling and looking better now. He is 15 and over 6 ft. tall...so, even though he'll always be a "little guy" to me...he isn't anymore. :-)
    Well, just wanted to say hi and see how you are doing...didn't mean to get gabby. Have a good week!

    Always, Janet

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  6. Hi Janet - I'm sorry to hear about your grandson. I hope he's feeling better today.

    Unfortunately, my kitty scratch saga has become a little more complicated. I thought my wounds were healing okay. However, yesterday the area around my stitches looked reddened, and since this could be a sign of infection, I went to the doctor. He said it appeared I may be developing cellulitis, which can be pretty serious.

    Apparently, the antibiotic prescribed in the ER wasn't getting the job done. So, the doc gave me a shot of a more powerful antibiotic and prescribed different medicine for me. He said to watch the area over the next couple of days and if it doesn't look like it's getting better or looks worse, then I may have be hospitalized and given IV antibiotics. YIKES! I hope it doesn't come to that. I've always been very healthy and have never had to be in the hospital before. So, please keep a good thought for me. Thanks again, Janet. :)

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  7. So sorry that your scratch isn't healing like it should yet! I just said a prayer that all will be well... try not to worry about it. I know that is easier said than done sometimes...I am a "born worrier"...just ask anyone who knows me. LOL But, I am learning, the older I get, that when we do all we can in any situation in life, the rest is up to God...
    I believe...but, I don't even attend church...so, I am not trying to seem to be anything more than I am...which is a Christian who cares about others. I was raised in the Lutheran church...married a Catholic...and, consider myself simply someone trying to follow Christ's example. :)
    [Just didn't want to sound like a religious "nut"...]
    I will keep you in my prayers, as I do all my friends, Bartista. Take care, and follow the doctor's instructions...I am sure you will get better without the IV treatment.
    I know some antibiotics work for some people and not for others...
    I am one of these people who can't afford health insurance...going on 63 now...retired. I worked for almost a year at a computer job, after my husband died...I have arthritis and it was torture to sit so long at a time. I had worked all my adult life until I was laid off some years ago. Then, my Mother was not doing well and needed help. Joe and I thought we'd be OK until I got retirement age. Well, you know Robert Burns' poem..."...the best laid plans of mice and men..." :)
    It is easy to gab, when I talk to you...we were all talking on Linda's Jack Kelly site about how JK fans all seem to be similar people...and nice people! :) I guess it is easy to talk to you because I know you are a JK person...and, that is a great recommendation! LOL
    Hope you are feeling better real soon and seeing improvement so you don't fret about the scratch. Take care,

    Always, Janet

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  8. "La B", so sorry to read about your
    accident, though I find your having been seen in the ER by a Dr. Kelly amusing. I hope the new meds are working & that you are finally on the mend. If you are experiencing the windy, rainy weather like I am, than you have the perfect excuse to stay home, tucked in bed.
    Feel better soon!

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  9. Hi Janet and Prof!

    Good news...the new antibiotic seems to be working and I won't need the IV treatment. My mouth is healing up and I'm starting to look more like myself again (rats, I was hoping I would look more like Angelina Jolie). ;->

    Thanks so much for your get well wishes and prayers. I'm a Christian, too, and I belong to a Baptist church. I know they're praying for me, and I'm thankful that you're praying for me, too. I know prayer works. :) But, yes, worry still creeps in sometimes. I just hang in there and remind myself that God is still in control.

    Jack Kelly's fans come from varied backgrounds, locations, and circumstances. But, our shared interest in JK brings us all together and has brought so many nice folks such as yourselves into my life. :) Thanks again.

    Blessings,

    B :->

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  10. So happy to hear you are healing!!

    Take care...I agree that sharing an interest in Jack Kelly has brought alot of good people together. :-D

    Always, Janet

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  11. Prayers can and have worked many a miracle. Glad to hear you are definitely on the road to recovery.

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  12. I don't want to know what you must've eventually done to that cat!

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