Lungs for Mandy

  Alex with Creagle

Well, I just had to defend myself to Dad about the math class. It’s my third time taking it! I’m just teasing-it seems like about a hundred times for me to be taking it. I really think this is going to be the one!

Classes are going just fine. Well, what I have been able to attend. Last Sunday I woke up with an intense headache in my ear. I actually though I had a stroke or something. I haven’t attended classes all week except and Political Science class this afternoon. I normally have two classes om Thursday, but I couldn’t make it through my second one. I am beginning to think that I am a big sissy! I mean really, babies seem to make it through ear infections all of the time so what’s my problem? I was in tears Weds. night. Thank goodness I always keep a few extra pain pills because Tylenol wasn’t doing anything. Luckily tomorrow I am finally going to the doctor because the antibiotics I was given are not helping at all. My Mom says it may just be a big wax build-up, I was like YUCK!

So now to Creagle the beautiful crippled beagle…She is doing very well! Dad’s right, she has no idea what’s in store for her. The organic dog food train is going to end soon because I lost my Friday job. I don’t know if I mentioned it before, but I have been painting her nails. I didn’t intend to paint her nails. She just happened to be laying by me when I was painting mine and I thought “What the hell.’ Now I have become obsessed with it. If the nail polish starts to chip..it’s time for some more. She did put her paw down when I bought her a raincoat. When I put it on her she mad this horrible face and wouldn’t walk a step. Luckily I saved my receipt!! With Sosa, I couldn’t  do those types of things with him because he was a boy and you knew it. Creagle is a girl, but you can’t tell. She was a street dog! It’s kind of like when a woman has a little girl who looks like a boy so she tapes a bow in her hair or dresses her in pink. Creagle and Sosa are actually alike even though there is about a hundred pound difference. One thing Creagle does like Sosa, chases squirrels. Oh my gosh, she is crazy for them. She actually hasn’t figured out that she can’t climb trees, Sosa figured that one out pretty quickly! She even visits Sosa old favorite park which now has a dog park enclosed. Creagle has become a great companion for me and I am thankful for her everyday. Once she is out of heat–it’s time to get her spayed. The vet originally thought she had been fixed because of a scar on her tummy. He was wrong! I wonder what that scar was from?? 

Okay, enough. I don’t want to talk write your ear off.

~Amanda

By Dad

Things have been good. Most of  Mandy’s stitches have been removed and her lip is healing very nicely. The last report said no more removal or squamous cell carcinoma remains on her lip. Although there may be some need on her scalp. Update later on that.

Creagle (the crippled beagle) remains a wonder. She just hobbles along and has proven to be a real companion to our dog lover. She is so cute, loves to snuggle and really rolls up in the blankets. I was going to use her on a rabbit hunting excursion but Mandy says no. I think she doubts my accuracy. Anyway, what a lucky dog. We saw herw\ walking him the other day and I heard she gets organic dog food. Also she has not been fixed, Max can’t wait til she visits again. Wonder what you get with a beagle and a Peek a poo? Looking forward to dog parade, poor dog doesn’t know what she is in for.

Mandy is back going to school all days now, no more night classes. I don’t know why she is taking such a heavy load or math again. I hope she gets it, this being her 4th or 5th time. I was never good with Math either.

Laurie and I have had a wonderful year. This time last year was just a blur until February 14, when she got her call. We continue to count our blessing and appreciate everyone’s continued prayers and well wishes.

Until next time

Dad

It had been real nice to stay with Mom and Dad, but I am heading home in a few hours. I love being here spending time with them, but I lost 3 bucks to Dad last night and I don’t want to lose anymore. I’m 32 now and feel that I should be on my own to allow my parents to enjoy their time. Additionally, I need to see that gorgeous puppy Creagle, I miss my little angel! Did I mention I got a new dog? Well, she is an older beagle, but she is new to me. I write more about her soon actually you’ll probably be sick of hearing about her! I tend to act like a wacky parent with pets.

When I was able to finally focus my vision, I wanted to see my lip. Boy, was that a mistake! I immediately started to cry because it was very awful to see. That was on Tuesday and it is now Friday. The surgery site still looks pretty awful, but it is starting to heal. The bruises are getting darker which indicates healing and my stitches feel real tight. I look a lot like The Joker from Batman actually I look worse than The Joker. Stitches everywhere and I don’t anticipate them falling out anytime soon! I look like I was in a terrible accident. I kind of wish I had been in one so I’d have an interesting story to tell. “Ahh, I got them from the sun” kind of a boring story. Anyway, I feel okay and everything seems to be healing okay. I’m taking less pain medication which is always a good sign….the less I hurt, the less medication I need.

I actually enjoyed the mess I call my lip yesterday. I went shopping with Mom and Dad. I originally thought I would wear a mask and about 20 minutes into Wal-mart I decided to say take the mask off. What do I have to be ashamed of? The adults seemed to be less polite than the children. Kids would notice my lip, look scared and hide behind their parents while their parents just stared! I have to admit scaring the kids made me giggle.

Later last night Mom and I took Alex and Jake out..Jake had lots of questions like: If you get hit in the mouth with a baseball; will the stitches fall out? Wow, you look terrible; Does it hurt? Leave it to Jake to be brutally honest. I don’t care though, the kids are just honest and their honesty makes me laugh. Sophia just looked at it and made the vomit sign out opening her mouth and sticking her tongue out real far.