Everything Sven

10/12/2026

10/09/2026

We didn't do too much this week I've been pretty sick, side effects of insulin medication. In fact I had to call out sick to a doctor's appointment for the second time in two weeks. (Eyes & Rheumatology)

I stopped taking medication because i was puking too much to make it safe to take. Felt pretty good for a day or two, went back on it and right back to being sick again and started putting two and two together. Can't get a specialist, they're all not accepting new patients and I have to wait That's insanity. My P*P won't address it. SIGH. I'll probably be twilling someone where to go and how to get there pretty soon. If it weren't for Halloween month in Salem, I'd go to the ER and see ff i can get a specialist there to adjust the medication, because essentially the P*P is fu***ng with my life here.

Meanwhile... on the day we did feel good, we made it over to the farmer's market as it was the last one for this year. Wind was really strong 25 to 35 MPH winds were a bit of a problem so grammy didn't come with us, Sven was wary of all the overhead canopy's tipping over, he was pressing into me a bit harder than normal. I don't know if he perceived me as tipping over because the canopy was or not but he was Velcro. He did a good job but it was a bit harder to walk carrying a bag of food, and leaning on him on grass. We managed it although, like to clacker balls bouncing off one another. We've trained for many situations, but I never knew high wind was going to be an obstacle, we have fans at home. Ah well.

On a funny, not so funny note... I didn't realize that i can't see certain colors they just blend in, yellow, white, peach, pink, light greens and blues. While out shopping I grabbed a bag of pistachios, never ever realizing it was Jalapeno flavored as I couldn't see the print on the label. I come home made a salad for dinner and tossed some in. I take a bite and OH my Begeezus! Hot, hot, hot. No warning, just jot, HOT, hot... OMGs. As if I didn't learn enough the first time (too sleep deprived) to remember I did the same thing with a purple and pink bag of Kimchi Chicpeas as well.

Too windy and too much of a struggle, I didn't take any pics of us at the farmers market this week. Just our haul.

Later in the week Sven stepped on some acorn caps - I had no clue what was the matter as he wouldn't let me near his foot. And well the Vet put fear in him (at our last visit) making it that much harder for me to get the muzzle on him in a safe manner. He kept slipping and falling on our floors here and I was getting really worried for a while, but eventually it fell out in the middle of the night. I thought he pooped on the floor at first and then I saw it. Ahhh no wonder. So glad we avoided a major crisis. He finally let me soak and clean up his foot the next day.

I haven't been posting, I'm just very exhausted between all the blood tests, appointments, insomnia & puking. Need 3 surgeries and wondering how to juggle all of it Pluse Grammy & Grampy. There's still no repairs to apartment unit and will have to escalate that into filing a grievance and calling the atty again. Ugh. I'm very tempted to call the state to do an audit - where's all the money go when they get their rent everymonth but refuse to fix anything.

10/01/2026

UPDATE: We survived the Nor'easter, it wasn't as strong here as predicted, affected the south shore more. Just a lot of rain, few trees down here or there, power flickered a few times, but that's all.

Mom, Recent medical tests inconclusive. blood tests for inflammation are high in some areas, low in others. undergoing more tests Will know more about eye surgery later this month, and gastro surgery next month. Still feel like death warmed over.

Sven is holding his own for now. Doing fairly well. Ears cleared up, skin is cleared up and he's a happy doggie and He loves autumn.

09/17/2026

Is it the weekend yet?

Below are some pictures from this weeks goings on. Let's see, Farmer's Market with Grammy while Grampy had contractors moving a waterline to the Fridge. Tractor Supply, for Sven's Halloween basket treats. Wed. we all went to see the Cardiologist for Grampy, no pics in there, too serious with other patients around. I finally got someone from maint. dept to come "check out" our bathroom, but that's still little to no progress when they already had someone here the night of incident and photos of it. So we'll see. I made some eggplant and salad bowls with our farmer's market haul. Finished reading "mob witch" by Lorelei of Salem. That was hard for me to do, I should have waited to get it on kindle so I could enlarge the fonts, because I needed both my new reading glasses and a magnifying glass, still can't see even with the new script. I won't know about retina surgery date until Oct. for the eye. Sven is going ok, he's due for nail trim and bath again already but he's loving the cooler fall air and being outside more now.

09/14/2026

Last week was busy, busy, busy, we were out straight every day with medical appointments. My eye took another turn for the worse. Inflammation, pressure, I could feel it spasming. I thought well the shot wore off, which it did, but that put a hole in my retina, so I'll need surgery to try to save my sight next month. I'm on insulin and other steroidal medications in the meantime to try to keep the inflammation down. The steroids along with less activity right now are elevating my blood sugars. Not thrilled about that but doing what I have to. wILL also need surgery #5 for my rotten guts, the mesh came apart and is causing problems. (sor those that are new here, I fell in 2015 inside a major retailer, rupture my abdominal wall and my guts fell out. The rupture is frayed so badly it's hard to sew it or repair it or attach the mesh to it. Therein lies the prolem. How to fix it)

Things got a bit crazy couldn't take blood at one place because they didn't have ice to store it, had to drive from Lynn to Salem to get that done, one of the Walgreens didn't have medication in stock for nearly 5 days, had to also drive to another location to get that. Got into confrontation with a store emloyee about "do not pet" my service dog. Oy Vey. Ruder than rude, I"m in the middle of a transaction at the pharmacy and asking questions to the clerk and the worker had to make my service dog all about herself. As if I'm not dizzy enough, they took 9 vials of blood for rheumatology tests and now I'm defending myself to a staff worker? OMGs. His vest is festooned with no not pet patches... and she says to me, well i didn't know, some people still let you as if trying to justify interrupting my transaction at the pharmacy. I get it that some people have emotional problems, but She continued to argue with me all the way out of the store, as if she had a right to carry on towards us, Zero boundaries. Until, sad to say, I had to make it clear that I also had a right to pepper spray her for accosting and harassing me and interfering with a service dog trying to do it's job. That's assault on a disabled, elderly and visually impaired person along with preventing egress. Suffice to say, I couldn't wait to get home. And then the neighbor above us floods my bathroom again. OMGs I really need a vacation far, far away.

Also got flu and covid shots, my arm is killing me this time around, and we stopped for lunch, later I shared a bite of cheesecake with Sven.

Might head to the farmer's market later today, depends on how things go here today. So much to do, clean, laundry, chores, Sven needs a bath, mail trime, paw pads done, etc.

09/13/2026

Well, we missed the book signing in Salem today... or get to post our pictures from this week either. We were busy cleaning up a mess again.

This is the 3rd time in 18 months my lovely neighbor decided to redecorate my bathroom. I think I'm gonna need a gallon or two of be-gone potion #13

I really ddidn't need this tonight as I just had eye procedure again on Thursday and recovering. I need eye surgery they found a hole in my retina.

09/02/2026

Contrary to popular belief, it's not just operating rooms that service dogs aren't allowed into. Despite Federal Laws, there's a lot of Hospital Policy rules as well., regarding patient safety and sanitation. in treatment areas, like eye doctors, dentists, etc.

I had to go for a CT scan and supposedly metal interferes with the imaging, I thought that pertained more to MRIs, but it is what it is. I would have had to bring a friend or pay a sitter to wait with him in the waiting area and then worry about their needs or if they're being hassled, etc.

While I need my service dog and enjoy my independence in daily life, I didn't make a big issue out of this. In response, they offered me a wheelchair ride if I needed it, I declined, because getting whipped and zipped around at Mach II down bright and shiny hallways by a younger whipper snapper undoubtedly would have just made me sicker. I opted to get there on my own.

And truth be told, wait times could be long, lugging water and being mindful of toileting a dog in the rain at an urban hospital on someone else's time frame can be a real hassle especially with Sven just coming off of medicates for his ears, nature's call is still a bit unpredictable. I have more peace of mind to just let him sit one out at home in relative comfort and safety. I could see him on our security monitors anyway. and came home to pick him up afterwards.

Currently awaiting the scan results. to see if surgery is needed. again.

08/31/2026

Glorious New England Weather Day and we made it out to the again.

Picture of our haul this week are down below. I didn't do so good by myself, I was more of a one armed paper hanger on new years eve trying to manage the dog and our bags.

Treats included Peaches, Berries, Mixed Greens, Cucumber, Tomato, Corn Orange-Creanberry Bread and Sourdough Bread, and two Empanadas that area already gone and down the gullet. LOL

Grammy didn't make it this week, she is declining in her dementia and had a tough day. Grampy was home waiting on a freight delivery., so maybe next time. As it was I forgot the scallions for making Gumbo.

08/27/2026

Well, here we are yet again at the ER Vet Dt. this week.

Sven had another ear infection in the opposite ear, this time due to the "rods" bacteria. It's natural in the environment, but honestly not sure how he got it. He really hasn't been out running around this summer due to recovering from the other ear infection and the excessive heat this summer. But stuff happens. It could have been from being on antibiotics for the other ear, weakening his immune system, sleeping on his ear making sweat and moisture, could have scratched it, but then again it was really down deep in the canal and I would think that's hard to scratch or would hurt. In either case, it grew fast, thick and bloody. He got it cleaned, flushed, medicated, bloodwork and sent home with medications and pain killers. did a fabulous job with him, can't say enough about how great they are. Glad they are now so local.

I had a few medical appointments and I had Sven sit them out due t he ear pain, no fair to have him dealing with the public when he feels like crap. As for me..... I need a CT scan on Sept 1st... undoubtedly leading to surgery #5 on my rotten guts. Oh Joy. But it is what it is. And hopefully we can schedule it rather than landing in the ER like the last four.

Sadly, our normal kennel lady id going to be away on vacation, Sven is too much for Grampy these days with all of his medical conditions and Grammy is a handful. We have some time, but i'll be looking for another one that is service dog specific and experienced with large breed dogs.