Everything gets rough...

I'm going to break this post down by home life and work life, so it's easier to follow.

Home Life

• As many of you already know, we lost Fatty (Claire's cat of 9 years) on September 30th to cancer which had spread throughout her entire body. When she stopped eating and drinking we knew something had gone wrong. The mass that she had on her right side between her ribs and abdomen had practically grown overnight. Fatty was never a must be picked up type of cat. She more-so rubbed on us and laid down to get pet. Oddly over the time that we had her, we never felt that lump. It was the week that she wasn't eating that made her slim down to a point where the mass was expressed. The mass was approximately the size of my palm. But, when thinking about it, all of the weight she lost between the time we got her to the time we lost her. She was 26 pounds when we got her. She was supposed to be just a temporary live in situation while a friend at the time was pregnant, that turned into having her for 9 years. We turned her life around and made her such a happy, loving, Momma to everyone in this house. Fatty was such a purr-box. She was so happy and loving to all of us, but she loved Claire in a way that we could never imagine. Claire was so loved by her, and Fatty protected Claire from day one. Claire was only 2 when we got Fatty. From the very start, Fatty clinged onto Claire. Fatty protected her by laying at the edge of Claire's bed and making sure that she was safe. This type of behavior continued throughout Fatty's entire being. Claire played with her and taught her tricks and even played dress up with Fatty at one point. It's a love that we will have forever have in our hearts. We love her so much and it still hurts us to know that she has left us. We still cry thinking of her loss. 

Her loss was tragic to Claire. But Claire made the mature decision of letting her pass away without anymore suffering. That was a huge decision for Claire, and I couldn't be more proud of her choice. Her response was "I don't want her to suffer anymore." Claire saw all that was happening and assisted me with force feeding and forcing electrolytes down her throat. Claire also saw how distressed Fatty was when it came down to being able to walk. Fatty was so weak that her body was starting to fumble over herself, and at one point she just wanted to lay in her crate with the door open and her back toward us as if Fatty was punished. Claire continued to say "Fatty, honey, you're not punished. Please turn around and look at me." Claire was so hurt by the rapid change in her body language. But, as her parents, D, Steve (her God-Father and Uncle), and I couldn't be prouder of her.The loss was terrible, but the love will continue to live on.

• We got a scare of a heartworm medication recall a few weeks ago. I took both Sam and MeiMei to Banfield for a test to be done. I was so worried that we may have been effected by this recall. Thankfully we weren't. However MeiMei had a hefty skin infection and ear infection also. MeiMei looks like a new dog now. She has 85-90% of her hair back just in the period of 2 weeks of antibiotics and other treatment. From that moment we placed MeiMei on the same health care insurance we have for Sam. Tomorrow, MeiMei is going to be getting her first dental. I'm nervous, to be honest, but I trust the team at my Banfield location I take the girls to. There is one Veterinarian who I love and adore, and she was the one I began to see when Harley got sick. Ever since I have seen no other veterinarian for our girls. She's truly one of the most wonderful individual I've met within the field. 
• Claire is going to be 11 in 1 month and 1 day from today. It's crazy how quickly time has flown. We've had some ups and downs, for sure, but I'm so proud of the child she has become. 

1. Claire is doing great in school. She enjoys going to school and is sad if we have to take her off from school. When she was sick 2 weeks ago, I had to keep her off from school, and she practically begged to go to school. Claiming that she was fine and that she'd be alright in school. As she attempted to convince me that she could make it through the day at school, she was coughing rather deeply and continuous. It's incredible just how much of a difference she has had this year than previous years. 
2. Claire's grades have improved greatly! She is really working toward getting into Gifted and Talented. When we met with her teachers for open house, her math teacher stated they would be testing her for G&T because she really has such imagination and capability to succeed. The teachers are very pleased with her great efforts and are always pushing her to be herself and routing her on in her tough moments. 
3. Claire is going to be a Vampiress for Halloween. We are going to send all of the candy we collect from Trick or Treating to Military Forces. We don't need the candy, and it's not healthy for any of us, so we being able to donate it to those who are fighting for our country, gives us happiness. 
4. I booked a party for Claire's 11th at Magic Mountain last night. She is so excited and for that I'm grateful. We were originally going to do a bowling party, but I can't imagine 8-10 kids actually staying focused on one activity. Magic Mountain gives the kids an opportunity to go and do multiple things. 

• D is doing pretty well with school. He's working hard to get to the end of this tunnel. It feels like it's been ongoing for much longer than it has for him. But, I have faith in his success and I know that he'll be able to get to the point of great fulfillment once he completes everything.
• D is looking into becoming Assistant Manager for the Business office. It's been something he's avoided for a long period of time, but he's come to the point that he feels that it's only right for him to take the next step. Plus, this gives us some opportunity when new stores open in different areas. His staff sees great potential, and he's finally becoming more accepting to new roles.

Work

• I've had good days, I've had bad days. I guess in every role anyone takes on, it's hard to adapt. I have great respect for every member of my staff, and I'm truly thankful for having a job within my field and being given the opportunity to grow. 
• I have had several meltdowns during my time of working there. I have had near tears moments, and breakdown moments. I've been approached on certain things, but talked behind on in other situations. 
• I'm still learning, but I think my biggest issue is that there is no repetition that'll make me master what I do. I guess all of the other "jobs" I've had I've mastered it after my 90 day probationary period. I think that's what the issue is for me, most. This is one of those things that once an individual gets into the field of their study, even school can't prepare them for all that is to be expected.  School doesn't inform you on who you're going to land a job with. Every office/hospital has different expectations, and it's never something you can prepare for. 
• I've gotten scolded in ways I never thought would occur, especially for the reasoning behind it. I've been told I'm too thorough when it comes to charting. Never in a million years did I think that was even possible. I guess with going through Medical Assisting and being told the more detail the better, I applied that to my new profession. So now I'm going to get books with more terminology that'll help me build my vocab make my paragraphs turn into easy to read charting. I think that's my biggest issue. I have difficulties with charting due to proper terminology and not knowing all of the words needed in place of what could be considered rambling. 
• When we were losing Fatty, I spoke with my favorite doctor in our hospital and she gave me pain medication for the weekend prior to us bringing her into the hospital. On Monday when I brought her in to be evaluated, they ran two x-rays, gave fluids under her skin, gave more pain medication, and after talking with Claire, we euthanized her, got an urn with her ashes to be returned to us, and only was charged 24$ for everything. I cried when I saw this. I couldn't believe just how much they took care of my family and I. When Fatty's remains were returned to us, the day after, my entire staff gave my family and I, a card showing all of their support with kind words. 

Well, I think that about sums up what's been going on here in the Eshenbaugh household.

Thanks for reading. :)