So it's been interesting-Rocky escaped

Infusion went fine on Monday, Tuesday was more shopping and food, Wednesday...well that's a different story.

Visit with GI doctor went well, I never got a chance to ask him about the connection of gut issues and the leg cramps. He asked how things were going regarding symptoms and I told him  honestly, I don't think it's working. Diarrhea is still there and actually got worse the last week or so. He was disappointed in that and he talked about maybe stepping up the frequency of the infusions but  has to time it after surgery or maybe before. He ordered another poop test kit to see how the calprotectin was doing and mentioned another drug but had to research whether insurance covered it or not. There is another one but he is very reluctant to use that one with my history of cancer.  He then said that if the number from the test was still high he'd order steroids again for short term relief. Asked if I had any other questions (and of course I always forget the ones I wanted to ask), thanked me for being a trooper about all this and ushered me out. He's a great doctor but most of the time I'm listening more than asking questions so information is mostly one way and that's all on me. Oh and he kept calling what I have colitis not Crohn's but in my official list of medical issues it's 'HCC Crohn's' which is Crohn's without complications. Oh well. Whatever, the two are different in the way they attack the gastric system so might ask him what the definining is for what I have.

 

Now then... since it was very warm we had the AC on and Rocky was inside all day until around 7:30 last night when he started to get antsy about going out.  Got his new tag on the harness and all that, took him out as usual. Well... the little bugger found a divot under the back fence that likely was dug by other feral cats or wild animals. It was luckily the parking lot of  another complex that I can see from my window. Phoop...and he was under the fence and on the other side before I could move fast enough. DANGIT! Called Jon and said come downstairs need to go find Rocky. Explained what happened and off we went.

Drove around to the next street and parked first spot I could find that was close to the complex where he disappeared. Now... me being his owner for the past 8 years I know how he thinks for the most part. He was going to be in that parking lot and look for a way back out. We got out and walked down the cul de sac where there were some kids hanging out (the same court area that we hear them yelling and stuff) told them what happened, parents came out and we explained again what Rocky looked like and where he had gone. Me knowing full well this was just a precaution and he was still in the other parking lot, made for the street again and the next door complex.

Which happened to be owned by the same person because our complex is Sundance Terrace and this complex (also 55+) is Persimmon Terrace. It is also code gated.  DANGIT. Luckily a lady came out of her apartment beause she was bbqing on the patio and asked if she could help, explained again what happened where we lived etc, and she let us in to go patrol the parking lot adjoining ours.

Okay.... we're looking and a voice from an upstairs apartment..much like our situation and one that I can see from my window, asked if we were looking for a cat. Much explaining, her saying she saw him under a car with a cover, we're looking and I'm thinking, no he's not under there he's moved on... so me seeing possible openings and other escape areas feared the worst but instinct told me no. He would follow the fence line. So the upstairs lady kept saying 'I have some treats' and then exclaimed pointing at the side fence 'there he is!'. Sure enough Rocky walking gingerly along the fence, Jon walked over and scooped him up with no complaints from Rocky. 

I thanked the lady and then took Rocky from Jon and we thanked her again and made our way to the front gate. Rocky was struggling so I put him down but hooked up his leash. He immediately tried to eye the very solid and very straight wood fence like he was going to try and jump it. He wanted to go HOME. I had to pick him up again and cradle him like I do sometimes and he looked up at me, like he does and we finally got to the car. I am thankful that I desensitized him to the car and he doesn't freak out. He wanted to get up in the front seat area but had to push him back because Jon would not have him in the front. Safety issue as well. I didn't have enough time for Jon to grab the carrier for him, time was critical to get to where he was. Got home carried him to the stairs then put him down and of course, he wanted to run right up the stairs but I still had him by the leash. He didn't like that, but oh well.  After I got his harness off he went and hid under the bed. Go figure. 

He only scratched my little finger with his back claws on the first struggle so I could tell he was traumatized. He thought he could just slip under the fence and then mom would follow right? Yeah, no. He realized his mistake after the novelty wore off in about ten seconds. I am thankful that I made the time to get a new tag for him with the new number. My only concern for him was him encountering wild animals (skunk/possum) or another cat and getting injured. I told everyone we encountered that if he sees an open door he will bolt for it thinking it's his home. He's friendly but will be skittish in a situation like that he is not familiar with. 

So I'm not sure if he's going to want to bolt for the fence again or avoid it. No matter what, he's staying inside for a few days and then will be out on leash only. Need to get a new retractable leash for him anyway.

So that was our excitement yesterday. I got the medical refunds in the bank finally, was kind of worried about that because they were pending then they disappeared and took another extra day for them to show up in my account. I was just having a minor anxiety issue about that but all is good now. Had to go to Costco to resupply on toilet paper (yeah going through a lot), got some pastries, found a deal on zip lock bags while we were there and then had lunch at the food court. Feeling flush with money we opted for the turkey provolone sandwich and a soda instead of our usual dog and a slice cheap lunch. It was good, not good enough for a do again (in my mind) but it was good.

And there we have the last three days of our whirling, swirling retired life. Feline Furball is still a resident and part of our little nucleus family. Sleeping peacefully on my side of the bed currently.