Day: March 5, 2018

Gus eats bugs now, he loves ladybugs and flies if he can catch them.

Positive news on the nutrition/megaesophagus front, I’m making some real headway on eliminating Gus’s chronic diarrhea and much of his vomiting and regurgitation.

I’ve changed (for the fifth time) and simplified his diet, reducing the mix of medications and foods. We’re now down to Pro Plan turkey/sweet potato mixed with Royal Canin’s high calorie recovery food for veterinarians. And I’m stopping the recovery food tomorrow.

Also,I’m adding a tablespoon of raw pumpkin for fiber and two tablespoons of plain yoghurt for liquidity and smooth passage down the esophagus.

I’ve stopped the anti-acid medications and the motility medication, and stopped the EN gastroentric wet food.

Gus’s diarrhea is completely gone, he’s had it on and off for months. Some days he regurgitates some of his food, most days  there is no vomiting of food or spitting ups in any significant amount. His stools are now solid and healthy. That is important, because the killing thing about megaesophagus is that the food doesn’t make it down to the digestive tract, the dog sicks, gets malnutrition, weakens and dies.

The stools – it is hard for me to believe how much time I spend consider vomit, stools, diarrhea and spit-up – tell us the food is getting through. Gus’s astonishing energy level tells us the same thing.

That is one of the shared values of the dog world, whoever we are, wherever we are, whatever the dog, the dog lover will soon or later come to know diarrhea, vomit and stools. That’s the price we pay for love and joy.

Meagesophagus is hard to get your head around. It will eventually catch up to him, sooner or later, and  little is known about it. The megaesophagus dog owner is pretty much alone in many ways. We are all driving blind.

But I’ve learned a lot and changed a lot, and I am grateful for that.

Gus is active, affectionate, energetic and full of trouble. A dog in high spirits, we have great fun with him if he is not spitting up on us. Which is often.

This new stretch is a substantial breakthrough for me, as I think I am edging closer to a permanent diet, one that is stabilizing  Gus to the greatest degree since he was diagnosed.

Diarrhea can’t be healthy for him, and there was considerable acid reflux. Through a lot of trial and error, we’re coming to a better place.

It is always important to remember that there is no cure for megaesophagus, and we are constantly re-jiggling our expectations, as his condition changes frequently. It’s so much better than it was, and I am convinced nutrition can play a great role in stabilizing him, but not curing him.

My expectations need constant monitoring and adjusting. Still, I feel good about this diet. We are making headway, and Gus is having a full and active life.

This weekend, I have been asking for and receiving donations for the Powell House retreat  for the soccer team at the Powell House, a Quaker retreat in Chatham, N.Y.

The Powell House is a remakabe place, it specializes in offering retreats for young people in need, it has been helping young people for generations.

The programs are run by specially trained counselors. I received about $1200 in cash over the weekend and have been promised another $1,000 in checks that are on the way. That should cover it. If there is more, I’ll pay the RISSE teachers or apply it to the refugee fund.

This year, I have been focusing my support on the soccer team, the new girl’s basketball team, individual refugees and immigrants in need, and the students at the RISSE after school program. The soccer team has some particular needs the Powell House can best address. I think this retreat could have a dramatic impact on the lives of these young people, they have suffered greatly, and are struggling to acclimate to a suddenly hostile America.

I got this letter this morning from a woman named Alison, it was a special letter and it meant a great deal to me. What Alison wrote is also what the Powell House has meant to me and my family, especially my daughter.

“You don’t know me but I chanced upon your blog just now while visiting Powell House on Facebook, and realized I had to reach out. My name is Alison MacLeod, and many years ago –  I think it was 1956 – I spent a life-altering summer as a camper at Powell House. Then, of course, it was still Pitt Hall Farm, and Elsie Powell was its director. She and my mother had been classmates at Swarthmore College back in the early 1930’s.

I was a horse-crazy little girl, and Pitt Hall was devoted to teaching young girls to become thoughtful equestrians – among other things. Most of the campers came from wealthy New York families. I did not. I won’t go into the details, but suffice it to say, Pitt Hall/Powell House changed my life – and Elsie Powell became one of my life-long mentors.

I actually returned for two more summers, although the full fledged camp program ended after my first summer. Something about the spirit of Pitt Hall penetrated my soul and has stayed with me throughout my life.
        A few years ago, I was in the area on a horse-rescue mission, and took advantage of the proximity to stop by for a visit. Much has changed since Elsie Powell passed away and left the estate to the Quakers. However the spirit remains, and if anything, has become stronger. I met the folks who were in charge of running the programs and maintaining that magnificent house. They couldn’t have been nicer. Wandering through the house felt like walking back in time. I could almost hear the familiar voices of all my old friends, and of course the powerful voice of Miss Powell, commanding us to behave like young ladies.
        And now I would like to learn about your program and the kids you intend to bring to Powell House. You were right when you realized that you’d found the perfect place for them to go. It would be great if they could stay longer than two days!
        To that end, I hope you will accept a contribution from a complete stranger. I’m not wealthy but what limited means I have, I enjoy using for endeavors I know to be good. I was 13 that first summer, and now I’m 75 and about to retire from a long career teaching young college students to write. Actually, I’m a tutor and work one-on-one. Many of my students are international, coming from countries all over the world. If there were a way to measure the value of what Pitt Hall/Powell House did for me, I dare say it would be astronomical.
        I’d appreciate hearing back from you. To whom should I make out the check, and where should I send it. I’ll keep all fingers crossed that you are able to raise enough to bring your young soccer players to Powell House. They will love it!

Alison’s idea is a good one, I hope to send some RISSE kids to the Powell House for a week this summer, if they want to go. But that’s for another time.

I believe the money for the retreat is close to or over the goal, I am not sure what is coming in the mail. The retreat costs $2,100 and there are many other needs in the RISSE program. If there is an overage, it will go into the refugee fund and will be accounted for.

If you wish to donate to the retreat or refugee fund, you can send your contribution to Jon Katz, P.O Box 205, Cambridge, N.Y., or via Paypal, [email protected].

This morning, I sent for boxes of tissues to RISSE, we are filling the holes in the life of this very busy and urgently needed school. RISSE teaches 200 refugee and immigrant children in their after school program, and they offer classes and support to more than 1,000 adults. The tissues cost $7.65 a box.

The RISSE Amazon Wish List has been a miracle and a source of hope and inspiration, you have all responded with such energy and vigor the list has been re-worked at least four times. We’ve sent them bean chairs, games, towel paper and tissues,  and are focusing right now on the educational software the teachers desperately need to help the refugee and immigrant children succeed in the public schools they attend during the day.

Those schools are also overburdened and underfunded, these children, many of whom are very recent arrivals in America, need your help.

The Mindware learningsoftware on the Wish List can be purchased in some cases for as little as $6 or $8 dollars. This learning is the key to the future success of these kids, who are under so much pressure to learn so many things. You have enriched their lives, and everyone at RISSE is astounded by your generosity.

They thought it would take days to see all of their wish list choices purchased, It took a few hours. One of the staff said it was hard to keep up with us.

Check it out here, there is no better way to start your day. It feels great to do good rather than argue about what good is.

We are reacting in the most positive possible way to these disturbing times, and my intention is to keep it that way. We can do good without being angry, hurtful or divisive. Please check out the remaining wish list here. Time for a new one.

My homework is empathy and compassion. That comes from the heart.