... which I had to look up to learn that scabies is kinda like having lice, except it's from microscopic mites. And you usually only get a few of them, which then trigger an allergic reaction.
With this as a topic of discussion, and thinking this stupid attack started around the time I found Skritches (but I really don't know any more), I thought maybe I picked them up from her but the doc said that would be unlikely cause human & animal forms of the mites are different (in animals, it's mange - and that doesn't live on humans).
The doc doesn't really think it's what's going on, since I don't have any tell-tale bite marks or "burrows" in my skin. But since i'm not reacting as expected to the steroid shots and allergy meds, and the itching originally presented in the common scabies places ("groin area" - which was originally horribly itchy but I thought it was due to shaving rash) that she decided there's no harm in treating scabies too.
This feeds perfectly into a long standing paranoia of mine - about micro bugs (specifically mites) in my home and, particularly my bed linens. It's based on nothing really - just paranoia. But maybe my subconscious was trying to tell me something.
So the linens are currently being washed in ultra-hot water. And my dirty clothes are out in the garage, awaiting their turn. But with my house, and piles o' crap, if it really is mites, they could be literally anywhere and re-infest anytime. I used some spray crap on the bed and will treat the couch I'm usually on too - even though the spray is pretty toxic and WebMD said there's really no effective environmental treatment so this is just high-risk placebo effect.
I apparently get to slather myself in some kind of lotion for the night and wash it off in the morn. If it IS scabies, I might be magically cured. Or I might keep having allergic reactions. Or I could still be reacting to something, anything, else.
Current theories are:
- several flea/spider bites in a 2-day period set off a histamine overload
- avocados have salicylic acid in them - to which I'm known to be allergic - and I ate 4 avocados in 2 days before this started (hey, cool, this is the best salicylic acid food chart I've ever seen)
- any of a billion plants are blooming waaaaaay more than usual due to a cool spring - could be coming from my yard, neighbors, the dessert... anywhere
- mites/scabies - and severe allergic reaction to them
- i'm just crazy
Current theories aren't (so non-voxy people can quit asking me):
- cat allergy
Head to toe itching again. Have to take bathroom breaks to scratch my boobs. Can feel my blood pressure all over the place. Got okay to get yet another steroid shot today. Will prob in do that soon.
There was a little bit of "meant to be" good mojo tonight: My boss brought in her extra cat stuff but it was just a litter box, carrier, and door gate. Not having a lot to do at the office, I opted to bail early to check out dog crates at PetSmart. I was really into one with nice wood corners (fancier than just metal) till I realized it also had a solid wood top. No air flow. Well, WTF, I don't want a table (they literally show one used like that.... coffee table/dog crate) so I started looking at other models. Back & forth... forth and back... NO idea what I want. This one's too small. That one's too enclosed. Blahblahblah. I stop in front of a generic box that has a 36" collapsible crates... and I think they look interesting: Simple and a pretty good "hold her for now, but not forever" size option. And being collapsible means I can store it in the garage for other pet issues. After a good 10 more min of "dooooh... do I want this one?" staring, I finally see the sign in front of me... 70% off!! I went from looking at a $149 crate to buying one for $30. Meant to be!
So I have a temp safety house for Skritches. And a bed for it (already had it for Espressa but she never uses it). And the litter box from the boss. And I picked up a suspended hammock contraption so she can have a "2nd level", if she so chooses. I think all I really need are food & water dishes (of which I have a billion) so we're pretty much set.
Except for me figuring out in which room to keep the carrier (this room gets to hot; that room is where everyone eats but will be afraid to enter; I don't want too smell cat poop in my bedroom). But I'll deal with that later.
This is all a bit of a big deal because, this morning, the vet said Skritches can move home any time that I want. She's no longer on pain meds. She no longer has wire holding her jaw together (doesn't that seem quick?!?). She still needs daily antibiotics and eye drops (she's apparently going to, permanently, have "googly eyes" - they literally look like a cartoon cat; i'm trying to get pics)... but that's about it. So it's really just a matter of me figuring out how/when to best work her into our life.
Boo (or both Boo & Espressa) is going in for dental cleaning on Friday. And it's a 3-day weekend. So I'm thinking that might be the time to make this transition. I dunno for sure... not sure about increasing the difficulty in getting the cats to come indoors (afraid of the newbie) on 4th of July. But I keep feeling that striking while Boo is "down" (recovering from vet shock) will be harder on her but better for everyone else. Thanks to a comment from one of the vet techs, I ordered a bunch of Feliway (calming cat pheromone) refills today... hoping they arrive ASAP and keep the "new cat" drama down too.
And keeping everyone's personality under control is also kind of important because now that Skritches is feeling better her "real" personality is emerging. Today, as I let her wander around the quiet room at the vet, she started hissing at a dog (I don't know if she realized it was a dog - she was right up in his face, smelled something, and just hissed). Mild. But hissing. If she hisses, my cats will hiss, and then there's growling and drama and everyone's pissed at everyone and no one wants to be in the same room and I worry about who's where, in or out, and everything else. Eeegads!!
btw: Skritches was also apparently a fan of Micheal Jackson... everytime I tried to hold her today, she'd "moon walk" her way out of my arms. Her preferred spot was on the cool tile floor, at my side, getting lazy/casual skritches.
So... I dunno for sure when, but Skriches is moving in soon. It will all work out. I don't have to figure it out today. And if I'm not ready by Friday, I can keep her in boarding longer. The vet said it's not a problem for them (they love her).
I'm also still busy being elated that "Bella" was claimed.
Two people, actually. Starting at 5:45am.
A couple of women who were in Vegas over the weekend. Came home to find the window open and "Bella", a mother's day gift, missing. They're from 1/2 block down the street.
I gave them her shelter ID info so they can get her on Wednesday. I told them to let me know if they need any help with timing (the shelter has crappy hours - like 8 to 4 or something) or cost or anything. And just to be sure all goes well and they really pick her up, I'm going to follow up too.
I REALLY needed this!
I received a ball of unconditional love and instead of thanking the Universe and worshiping it every day, I turned it away to maybe be killed.
I know all the logic behind it but that doesn't reduce my emotional response.
And I still have this other ball of love, Skritches, in the hospital. And I'm wondering how I'm going to work her into my life without upsetting the existing family. As expected, Moshi was cool with the kitten but Boo & Espressa were not. Boo was just pissy - she'll eventually get over it. Espressa mostly hid. I have a lot of concern about her hitting her limit and taking off. Or I fear some karmic balancing act of something bad happening to Boo, Espressa or Moshi after I bring Skritches home. Like saving one will cost me another. I better be wrong.
This is what it's like to live with generalized anxiety disorder. Everything is a 1000 times more complicated cause I think of every possible outcome - then hyper focus on the bad ones. It's "double the fun" when coupled with guilt and fear and every other emotion known to human kind.
It doesn't help that I didn't sleep last night (even after loading up on benadryl). And that I've been shot up with steroids twice in a week, and taking them by pill every day. I'm worn down physically, mentally, and emotionally.
And the anxiety has caused the "allergy" to go into overdrive. I'm not blown up - just a rash all over my arms and sides and I'm terribly (though manageable) itchy, with the upset stomach. I'm in my nightgown but I think I'm gonna have to drive over to the pharmacy to pick up my scrips (cause I forgot to get them today).
I hurt. A lot.
I want to be numb. And to sleep. For like a month. In a hut on the water in BoraBora. Only waking to accept the occasional tropical drink from a sexy, mostly naked, male waiter.
Is that really so much to ask?
(and just to be clear: I realize that if these are the worst of my problems, I'm one lucky bitch. it still fucking sucks)
I, correctly, figured going to the salon would calm me down. I let Tammy pick the design/colors.
She (the kitten) cried all the way to the shelter.
I still am.
I'm super frustrated. This kitten is soooooooo cute! She follows me everywhere. Slept on me all night (still nurses in her sleep!). She's full of energy and super smart & curious about everything.
I hate that I have to take her to the shelter. And I have to do it today or I never will. They're closed Mon/Tues. If I have her that long, I know I won't give her up.
I'm hoping they have some way for me to indicate that I'll pay all her adoption fees, and/or donate to a rescue group, if someone will save her. I'll also contact all the local rescue agencies and notify them.
Hoping for the best. Non stop crying as I fear the worst and feel horrible about it.
Betcha no one calls.
No one was out looking for a cat.
I found a house, about 1/2 way up the street, with a similar sized (and sounding) kitten running around. Maybe she goes there. I put 2 flyers in front of their house. But, even if she goes there, if they're letting the kittens run wild then they may not bother to claim her.
I had to lock her in the bathroom to get my cats back in. Too bad... I'd really like to play with her for awhile.
I have to drop her off at the shelter by 4pm (they're closed Mon & Tues so she really has to go tomorrow). Owners.. or anyone... will have 5 days to claim her there. It would be really sad for this adorable ball of energy to get euthanized.
I can't rescue the world. Not even just the kitty world. And that sucks.
Closest to my house but my first time in cause it looks so sketchy. I've heard it's popular with black men & asian prostitutes. Not sure about the men - only 2 here and neither is black. But there are 2 Thai women who look like they're here to earn a living. I'm not judging.
The main reason I don't go in there is cause it's across a busy street that I don't want to try and cross when drunk.
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